Does everyone act with altruistic tendencies?
I would like to answer this question with a yes but unfortunately, I know that everyone does not act with altruism in mind. Some do and some people don't. Everyone is different in their behaviors. What is altruism? Altruism is defined as when we act to promote someone else's welfare, even at a risk or cost to ourselves;the opposite of egoism. Mill said, "People must be given opportunities to grow as a part of their daily lives. They must be given fulfilling work and sufficient leisure to nurture more than their belly or bank account. The heart of such reform efforts must be widespread, ongoing, high-quality education."(12-6)
I would say that I act with altruistic behaviors. I am the type of person who always put others in front of myself. I care a lot about others and their feelings. I'm always the one to make others smile even when I am going through hard times myself. I talk about their situations before mine. I feel I grew up with this behavior from learning it from my parents. I have seen how they were (and how they still currently are) with family, friends, and sometimes even strangers. I am now a mother myself to a beautiful daughter and I want to be her role model. I always put her needs before mine. I am working full time and going to school full time and I do it all for my daughter. She motivates me every morning I wake up and see her smile. I do work hard for myself, but in the long run it is for my daughter and her needs. I want to make sure she has a roof over her head, clothes on her back, shoes on her feet, and food on the table.
Some people might ask, "Why practice altruism?" One who practices altruism is enhancing their well-being---emotionally, physically, romantically, and perhaps even financially. Altruism makes us happy. When someone does a kind deed for someone else, it's a joyful feeling. For example, you see someone who is struggling to pay for their groceries because they didn't have enough funds and you decide to just pay the remaining $50. To see someone else's reaction change so quickly from being in pain/stressed to so grateful, is the most satisfying feeling ever! I enjoy seeing others smile and that's what I care about most. Another act of altruism that some people still do today is the "Pay it Forward". For those of you who don't know what that is, paying it forward is when people are in a drive thru at a fast food place, usually, and the person paying at the window also pays for the person behind them. That is an act of altruism. Therefore, altruism is contagious as well.
A few other altruistic behaviors would include but aren't limited to: giving thanks, putting yourself in someone else's shoes, putting others in a good mood, acknowledge giving without rewards, and lead by example. After reading my blog, how altruistic are you? What behaviors can you change to be altruistic?
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