Self-centeredness IS the root of self-hatred. Love for our brothers and sisters is what this world most desperately needs. If not now, when? Well done, once again! Amen X 110!

THE 'LOVE' IS NOT THERE, RICHARD. ME,MY,MINE...IS SIMPLY A FALLOUT FROM THE CONDITION OF BEING UNSAVED. UNTIL WE 'SEEK YE FIRST' AND ACCEPT GOD AND HIS KINGDOM, WE REMAIN BLIND TO EVERYONE ELSE'S NEEDS EXCEPT OUR OWN. I AM JUST THERE AND THIS IS HOW I SEE IT; THE SOLVING OF ALL PROBLEMS NATIONALLY, LOCALLY, ETC? GOD IS THE ANSWER, REALLY...IT BEGINS AT THE CROSS. I LOVE AMERICA, THIS IS MY HOME AND REGARDLESS OF HER SHORTCOMINGS(WHICH ARE NUMEROUS)...I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN. BUT I AM CONTENT TO KNOW THAT 'NOTHING' WILL HAPPEN IN AMERICA THAT HAS NOT BEEN MANDATED FROM ABOVE, PERIOD. SO, ALL WE CAN DO IS PRAY. AND I WOULD SAY, WE WHO KNOW THE LORD HAVE MUCH TO PRAY ABOUT, ASSUREDLY. THANKS, I ALWAYS ENJOY 'YOU' SO MUCH. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

I lived within a narcissist nightmare most of my life, it was hell on Earth. I have read that narcissism is now an epidemic. How sad for the selfish one and for those they use. A deeply touching write, Richard. I have watched parents foster this attitude in their children, we are seeing the poison fruit from this tree.

I don't pretend to fully understand this poem 'cause it's too complicated for my simple mind.

I agree with you the young ones nowadays are mostly very self-centred. They would harm others or hurt others' feelings without even thinking twice about their actions. They think they know everything already and are right all the time and refuse to listen to the older generation.

These young ones nowadays won't even respect their own parents. They are totally brainwashed by the media and the globalists who teach them not to respect their elders.

My daughter is like me, we like to help others. Some people may see us as being foolish for helping. I told my daughter not to give in to others' criticism. Always goes with her own gut instinct to help others. If someone criticizes her it's not she who has an issue, the real issue is within the person who criticizes her. It is really sad that many people don't have compassion for others. This is not the world that I have grown up in.

When I was growing up I saw my dad helping others, and my grandfather built and ran an elementary school for the less privileged children. He was well-loved and respected by many. My father was also the same. He liked to help others and was well-loved by his friends. When he died, the flowers displays were piled up all the way from inside the funeral hall all the way to outside in the hallway. He was in Canada but people in Hong Kong came to his funeral. That was how well-liked my father was for doing good for others.

The young ones nowadays don't respect anyone, not even their own parents. They would even laugh and mock you for doing good stuff. Such is the brainwashed breed nowadays! Very sad indeed!!!

Sandie

The giving of the self is possibly the greatest gift imaginable. Well exposed here in this introspective poem.

You've nailed the stale old pursuits found in the workplace, in virtually all institutions (private, public, education), and most definitely in politics. There are kinder, gentler places such as in Canada, Scandinavia, and New Zealand. I've been looking for a couple acres of land, with well water, a septic system, away from the madding crowd, where I can listen to my own music, read what I like, and tune out the petty little twerps who don't have a clue that they are the problem they cannot solve. Nicely said, richard.

I agree so with your poem. The people of the United States need to grow up, get wise, help ourselves and the whole world in the process. Your poem is so forceful in its message, bolstered by explanations fore and aft.

I had the good fortune to have a good home and a brother partner by my side at an early age. We always helped others out and I have continued to throughout my life, even when I needed others sometimes just to do the simple things of living, like pumping gas for me because I couldn't. I could have gone the corporate route into fortune and proprietary knowledge, but chose instead teaching, finding that helping countless students to mature and do good rather than harm was always my mantra. Today I see a need for great lifestyle change. It is poems like yours that will help bring that to the fore.

Ron

Powerful my friend...Well said Richard ~ I think this truly affects our selves and our country in ways that are so heartbreaking...John F Kennedy said ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country was extremely wise counsel.. We need this more than ever because the communist globalists and the elite of this country are narcissists to the "core " destroying so many hopes, dreams and lives in the country .... "However" there is always a shining light, a flicker of tremendous hope, there is always optimistic opportunity on the flip side in our brokenness is we have the chance to be refined as gold and cleansed with soap with the ashes falling because of others actions towards us. Painful as it seems we have the chance to have real revival and coming back to Godly ways for the first time in decades... I lift my hands daily for this country to come back to His laws, ways and mercy and realize we are all being manipulated by the enemy and it's up to us to wake out of the slumber and RESIST that fallen angel!!!
We are in the greatest battle between good and evil.. I think narcissism is the root of the fallen world characteristics from the very beginning although before I matured years ago I probably had a touch of this myself. Understanding our calling, spiritual gifts and mantles have been a breakthrough for many out of the self imposed prison of the mind. Understand our footsteps have been ordered millions of years ago and it is the "fallen world that is our adversary ".. I think in these perilous times because the heavens and the earth, all creation is that the veil is so thin between earth and heaven we all have a pronounced eye of what our fruit of the heart is to us and everyone!!! This is the beauty of self awareness and the gifts of discernment grow more powerful daily and visions and dreams truly are revealed what is really going on !!!!. I spoke to a family member this morning who has stumbled for years with alcohol, drugs, codependent life, who i have and my husband have tried for years to bring him to the Lord through our testimony. This person is one step away from so called skid row but doesn't want to humble because he has narcissism so profound...My hands are tied because I don't and can't interfere with his hitting bottom so he does turn to the Lord.. ... At the beginning of earth the problems of humankind has been to be self centered, stiff necked and hard hearts. Look what they did to many prophets who just spoke God's word and correction because their footsteps were ordered and didn't want the blood on their hands so they had no choice but to rebuke, even if it cost their lives... I believe the earth will have a billion soul harvest and get saved before the end.... Yet many people will not make it in the end because they hear wise counsel and refuse anyway, thinking they can just fool God with their hearts. "Jesus gave us all power on earth after his resurrection for those to repent, renew and transform their selves with His likeness and no power of hell can take that from us. There's the old saying when someone gets to the end of their rope they will humble themselves, hopefully think about repercussions of actions and strive to present better. Powerful sentiment here Richard. Like you said when you feel the need to write and release what you feel, you just gotta get it out! Amen....