We are born hopeless narcissists. All babies can think of is themselves. As we get older we learn to think of others.
Here is the paradox of life. We believe on some level that when we think and do for others, we are doing for them. The reality is that we are really doing the most for ourselves. The most miserable people are those who think only of themselves. People who live for others are generally the happiest and most fulfilled [provided that they don't neglect their own basic needs]. This is not only confirmed by empirical experience it is also borne out by scientific research.
