M3:D89 Selfish?
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 I got in a rather heated discussion today with someone close to me regarding this blog and my daily accountability pictures. I was told that by doing this I am being selfish and everything is about me. I was told that anyone who takes pictures of themself and worries about how they look is selfish. I was really hurt by the comments, more than the person realizes, that is for sure. I wonder how it is selfish to take daily progress photos? I wonder why it is selfish to be living a healthy lifestyle? I wonder what it is about wanting to get in good physical shape that is selfish? I can hear alot of you already saying "They just don't understand what we do" but I am not willing to just accept that as an answer. Whether you understand what we do or not, it is pretty harsh to call someone selfish for taking daily pictures. The daily pictures I take involve nobody but myself. I have a tripod and I use it for the purpose of taking my pictures. I don't interfere with anyone else's plans to take my pictures. I don't insist that anyone else get involved with my picture taking. I do my pictures when it is the most convenient. I do them to track my progress and to be accountable. By posting the pictures, I am not proclaiming how great I look or anything vain like that, I am merely saying "Here I am, hold me accountable for my actions." The pictures tell the real story. Anyone can sit behind a blog and claim to be doing great things and claim to be sticking to their plans, but the pictures won't allow you to hide. If you are not doing the work you claim to be doing the pictures reveal that to the world. The pictures are part of the checks and balances that go along with getting into good shape. When listening to how selfish I am, it brought me back to M3  40 Powerful Reasons Why and that got me thinking about each of those reasons. Are they selfish reasons? Yes, some of my PRWs are selfish, but alot are not. I am reprinting them along with some commentary:
So alot of my reasons are definitely selfish, but alot are not. 9 out of 14 are selfish reasons, but is there anything wrong with finding motivation from selfish reasons? Is the act of taking daily photos selfish? Is wanting to be in the best shape I've ever been in such a bad thing? Why do people feel the need to disregard an accountability blog like this? Why don't they take the time to understand the reasons behind it before they bash it? Selfish? Not selfish? I don't know, but I do know my feelings are deeply hurt by the comments that were made in that regard. | ||
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 Today I did an hour of cardio (walking) where I kept my heart rate between 105 and 110 as prescribed by the nutritionist. | ||
 "Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn." — Benjamin Franklin | ||
 Is there anything wrong with having selfish Powerful Reasons Why? Comment this post to answer the question. | ||
Until tomorrow...GET BACK TO LIFTING! |
Michael,
As with most things in life, it usually comes down to motives. Is your motive for doing this self-aggrandizement or is there a higher purpose?
All of this can certainly be done purely for vanity. However, I don’t have the sense that there are many, if any, shredders in this category. Most everyone has something beyond physical beauty as their PRW. And given the medium of our communication, a picture is what we have to share. If we had a training partner, live and in person, there would be no need for photos. We’d just say, “Hey mate, you are looking really shredded.” Is there really a difference?
We all have been given one body in which we are to live the one life we have to live. As such, we have an obligation of stewardship to care for it so that we can embrace all life has to offer us along our journey. For those who believe in a Creator, it is said that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. So first off, can you really engage in all life has to offer if you voluntarily allow your body to be compromised. Secondly, what does it say to the Creator if you voluntarily provide Him a compromised body? On the other hand, what is the reality of those individuals who gorge themselves with all sorts of “tasty treats”? Aren’t they really the indulgent ones? Aren’t they just literally feeding their own self-gratification?
Lastly, let me just say that in my experience people who “diss” someone like you describe in your post today, many times do so as a way to validate their own lack of action and condition. By criticizing you, they don’t have to face themselves.
I think there are a lot fewer selfish reasons your PRW then you take credit for. Keep on your mission Michael.
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Larry, your comment is well-taken. I guess when you have someone question your motives and call you selfish it shakes you up a bit. Today I had another emotional kind of day (see today's post later). I just keep telling myself to take what is happening and use it to make myself stronger and more focused. It is sad that these things happen, but that's life. You pick up the pieces, learn from the situation and move on. Thanks for being a good friend, Larry, I appreciate your support.
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Mike: I don't think any of your goals are selfish. Each of us are working towards different goals for different reasons and that does not make us selfish. Selfishness is when you are lazy and do nothing to better your life that will benefit others. You are by no means selfish...the individual is just in a different place, and can't comphrend the why you do what you do...maybe there's a bit of jealousy there also. Nonetheless, keep focus, surround yourself with others who will help and not hinder your from reaching your goal/s
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Thanks, Diane. You are absolutely correct.
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Larry said it very well. we are all selfish to an extent...proven by all of our reason's why...sure some are for selfish reasons but there are a lot of non-selfish reasons. but as Larry said, we are here for God's purpose and benefit and He doesn't want us to "trash" His "temple", therefore by wanting to better ourselves physically is not selfish, but to His Glory!
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Suzette, Larry was definitely correct. It was very well stated on his part. Thanks for your support.
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Michael, dont let it get to you.
The person you talked to had a different look at it.
If a person is selfish they want direct benefit for themselves.
But in my oppinion, there is not a single thing wrong with that, as long as you dont negatively affect other people with it.
If taken more loosely, every action you can imagine can be seen as selfish, since every part, even if not accounted for has a positive/usefull side-effect.
We blog to keep ourselves accountable.
You hope to get comments or viewers to help you.
In that lies the tiny ammount of selfishness. Snce you hope, you have a expectation. No matter how small, it is there. You expect that other people will take some of their time for you.
In that aspect, even taking accountability pictures is selfish if you break it down into elements.
But you know, out of the whole, the selfishness only makes up the smallest part out of the whole.
It is clearly outweighed.
Also selfishness is always looked upon as a sin or a wrongdoing.
And in some cases it is.(stealing, killing)
However in 99.9999999% of the time it isnt.
In truth, if there wasnt selfishness in this world, then humans certainly wouldnt exist, as every action has a selfish aspect. Even the most basic.
Taking fruit from a tree will stop someone or something else from taking it, and is therefor selfish.
beeing selfish, while not negatively affecting other people is entirely fine. It is to be encouraged, as it keeps us doing things, beeing active and enjoying life.
So if you want to call Accountability pictures selfish(and how should that posibly be a negative factor for anyone?), then go right ahead and take all the picture you want.
I deffinetely encourage all kinds of ways to keep yourself accountable.
Its all about the way you look at it michael. Master this, and no words will every harm you again.
Keep it up michael.
I really enjoy reading your posts whenever i can.
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Danny, you are right my friend. I blog to keep myself accountable and to let others know that if this old guy can do it, anyone can. At the same time, I honestly don't think taking pictures is selfish in the way most people mean. Yes, the pictures are ultimately for my accountability so in that sense they might be selfish, but the bigger objective is to help other people realize their goals. As I said above, if this old guy can do it, anyone can. I agree with the entirety of your comment and really appreciate that you took the time to post.
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I think, taking care of yourself, is a very giving thing. I mean look at how far you have come. Each day you are giving the world a better version of youself. I see you as a role model,(a good one) You could be just sitting around saying why bother.
How many people will look at you and say well if Michael can, then maybe I can also. It is all about giving people hope.
We need people from every walk of life to get involved in fitness, heck we need a fitness revolution.
You are one light of hope, in this world and if that is being selfish, then don't stop we need more people like
you.
Fight the good fight and may you be blessed.
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Buffed, I smiled broadly upon reading your comment. I never really thought of myself as a role model, but I guess you are right. When I started this blog I did it for myself (accountability) but now I do it for the readers. When I come up with a topic I present it to help the reader. I do get some benefit from it, but it is minimal in comparison to the benefit I (we) am (are) offering to those that read the blog(s).
You are right...it is about giving others hope. Fitness revolution? I'm there..when do we go to battle? Thanks for the beautifully worded comment. You inspire me!
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