Chapter 1: The Power of Choosing Yourself

Choosing yourself is not an act of selfishness; rather, it's essential for profound transformation. To truly evolve, your motivation should extend beyond personal gain.

It's heartening to see that many of us are navigating our journeys with mindfulness and compassion. Thank you for sharing your stories, Myriam! — Natasha Nichole Lake

I resonate deeply with the sentiments expressed by my talented friend! This is the second time her incredible work has inspired a new piece from me. Each day, my appreciation for this platform, Medium, continues to grow!

Healing is a deeply personal journey—there's no one-size-fits-all solution for overcoming depression. Take steps that feel right for you, at your own pace.

During the first year of my transformation, I completely withdrew from the outside world. It was a challenging time, filled with days when showing up for myself felt almost impossible. The weight of discomfort was overwhelming, and my self-esteem was still quite fragile.

Since that pivotal moment, I’ve consciously avoided checking the news and have instead engaged only with content that uplifts me—books, audio, and videos of my choosing. This process of creation played a crucial role in my healing journey.

One book that profoundly impacted me was "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R. Covey. Its effectiveness lies in its simplicity, which is often overlooked: I committed to applying its principles, harmonizing my conscious aspirations with my subconscious patterns—those ingrained behaviors that drive our daily actions.

The subconscious mind dictates our behavior and influences how we perceive ourselves and the world around us. Below are two examples that illustrate this concept:

The Distinction Between Emotions and Feelings: A Path to Freedom

This freedom is more than just physical; one can be physically free yet imprisoned by their own thoughts!

Shall We Address the True Problem of Racism?

The "Black Lives Matter" movement may not be sufficient.

My most significant revelations occurred while writing. Throughout the pandemic, I refrained from watching movies, feeling my days were too short until I confronted a painful truth that forced me to grieve: the loss of an ideal life, the hope for a healthy relationship, and the yearning for authentic love.

As I began to socialize again, I forged some of the most meaningful relationships of my life. My content creation flourished, particularly on LinkedIn, where I aimed to alleviate the anxiety of others and encourage them to confront challenging questions.

Instead of numbing myself, I chose to sit with the pain of recognizing the damage from my past experiences, peeling back layers of hurt, and healing deep-seated wounds. Re-parenting my inner child became a vital part of my journey, reconnecting with my essence—the Universal Principles.

This connection, alongside the legacy I envisioned during an out-of-body experience, fueled my determination to persevere even when despair loomed large.

Ultimately, inner peace springs from our core. Since natural laws are unchangeable, our inner tranquility remains steadfast, even amidst chaos. While the inner child may express anger, my awakened spirit, grounded in humility and honesty, would not allow that anger to dictate my actions.

It seems crucial to reconnect with our authentic selves, aligning our subconscious with our essence. This alignment fosters a beautiful synergy between our logical and creative minds, even as we continue our inner work.

In today’s world, the common center tends to be the self. While self-care is important, it can easily devolve into selfishness, which contradicts the values many hold dear.

However, when we focus on self-development with the intention of enhancing our ability to serve and contribute meaningfully, we can experience a profound transformation in our lives. As Stephen R. Covey states, true security and wisdom lie beyond a self-centered perspective.

If anyone questions your choice to prioritize yourself, remember they were not meant to be permanent fixtures in your life—they were merely temporary teachers. Your true supporters will respect your journey, even if they don’t fully understand it.

Ultimately, your new, healthier self may no longer resonate with the toxicity of your past relationships. This realization is liberating! Don’t mourn what has never truly served your growth.

If this resonates with you, let’s connect as email friends! Also, if you appreciate my work and wish to support my journey, consider becoming a patron here: Myriam Ben Salem is creating Blogs | Patreon.

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Chapter 2: Insights from YouTube

In the video "You're not the main character... You're just selfish," the speaker delves into the notion of selfishness versus self-care, urging viewers to reflect on their motivations and the impact of their choices on others.

The second video, "7 Ways To Move From Being Selfish to Selfless" by Matthew Kelly, provides practical strategies for transforming selfish tendencies into a more altruistic mindset, emphasizing the importance of serving others.

Gratitude

As always, I extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for taking the time to read this piece! I also want to express my gratitude to the "Know Thyself, Heal Thyself" publication for giving my words a platform, as well as its dedicated editors—Diana C., Spyder, Ravyne Hawke, and jules—for their unwavering support!