Looking at the different perspectives of the greater world beyond our country, we find that the definitive understanding of morals can greatly differ from ours. One such difference is the namesake of this article. Americans value independent thoughts and actions that do right by the individual. Other countries, like China, embed community into their culture, which involves doing right by your family and coworkers. This divide is intriguing, as there is no inherently good or bad mindset.
Serving others is the pinnacle of selflessness. Everyone can support putting peoples’ needs first, yet many careers and professions are inherently self-serving. The world could go on without fewer musicians and influencers, so why not pursue something that the community can benefit from?
On the other hand, carving a path for yourself can also be seen as a positive effort. Focusing on what is best for yourself can sound selfish, but feeling like you owe the world is a quick way to kill your ambitions and dreams. Helping others is a great thing, but if it leads to your misery or discontentment, then you are ironically neglecting a part of the community you serve. Being independent frees you from the hivemind of what others think and allows you to do something that people didn’t even know they wanted or needed. Are we truly selfish for wanting to make ourselves happy and successful?
I can’t say that there is a right or wrong answer. Perhaps like most things, a middle ground can be found so that the individual and community both win. In any case, it will always be up to you to decide how you will live your life.
