Selfishness and Self-awareness

I loved this!  Often I hop the line between feeling selfish and also feeling like I am self-aware.  I think one of my strengths is being aware of my strengths and weaknesses.  I believe that our strengths and weaknesses are both designed to serve us and others, and being self-aware and knowing what brings out the worst and best in yourself allows us to create the right environment for ourselves.

Recently I listened to a talk by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  He said:

"We simply have to stop judging others and replace judgmental thoughts and feelings with a heart full of love for God and His children," said President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency in his address Sunday morning.

"This topic of judging others could actually be taught in a two-word sermon," he said. "When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges or wanting to cause harm — please apply the following: Stop it!"

It is absolutely a trigger of mine to gossip.  I can easily get sucked into talking about other people in a negative way.  I hate it.  HATE. IT.  I am not really a grudge holder as much because I don't put a lot of energy into it.  You could say that I just ignore grudges.  I am also fantastic at being jealous of other people and what they have or who they are, instead of looking around and being grateful for who I am and what I have. 

Last year I realized that these are weaknesses of mine that I can control when I am aware of them.  If I don't let myself sometimes focus ON myself, I am less likely to be self-aware.