Don't Sell Me There Can't Be Better Ways

I recently had a discussion with a close friend of mine. In this discussion, she brought up that I frequently seem to be trying to make everyone around me happy - that I focus more on trying to please everyone all the time, and in doing so, frequently stretch myself beyond my means. She may be very right - case in point, she reminded me that I seem to shut everyone out on the last day of the week, just to be able to do my household chores and, more importantly, have some time for "just me."

It strikes me as odd... I fear being a selfish person. I mean, I want what I want, but I don't want others to see me as selfish. I have standards, goals, values, ideals of near-perfection I would like to see met - and, truthfully, differing levels of drive and ambition to find or reach the goals (my on again-off again exercise schedule can attest to that). Some things I stay locked into and refuse to let go of, and others get pushed away or but aside until a more convenient time.

Maybe I should be more selfish, and try to seize what I want? I like to think that a balance is needed in this realm... as in all realms in life. But... maybe I have let myself go for to long, that is is time to do something for me?

You know, like reading ancient chinese philosophy...