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SELF-ENTITLEMENT

1/9/2020

8 Comments

 
Picture
This month we are discussing self-entitlement and the ways this belief impacts our lives. So what is self-entitlement? In the Google dictionary the meaning of self-entitlement is depicted as someone who believes they are more deserving than another, privileged and more important, i.e. what’s yours is mine and what’s mine is mine.
In her article, Entitled To Be Human, Bernadette writes, “Entitlement likes us to believe that we are someone, a someone who puts the needs of ourself first, rather than in consideration that we are part of one humanity, and the one universe.”

Self-entitlement creates a sense of separation and individualism and is at the core of all wars, domestic violence, murder, paedophilia, greed, corruption and all our relationship issues. It’s why we have the global catastrophe of refugees who find themselves homeless in a world where others feel more entitled to live their way exclusively, resulting in enormous human tragedy.

Without this sense of entitlement, we’d be left with humility and the true understanding of equality and brotherhood. It begins with the most subtle thoughts such as “what do I need” and ends with “I’m entitled to do or say whatever suits me”.

In her article, Every Day Self-Entitlement, Gayle states, “There are nearly 8 billion people on the planet. If we all push through life led by self-interest, it will be a harsh, combative world.” 
​
To what degree have you noticed how self-entitlement imposes on others and impacts our communities? We’d love you to join us in this discussion and share your interpretation of what it means to be self-entitled and how you see it playing out in your own life and the world around you.
8 Comments
Sandra Newland
2/9/2020 12:05:04 pm

The illustration on the article Entitled to be Human reminds me of the teenager I used to be - having the opinion that I know it all and am invincible and the world owes me something, Such a teenager expects free board and lodging, meals on the table which they can complain about or eat as and when they feel and begrudgingly clean up after themselves when asked to do so. Self-entitlement takes everything for granted and offers very little in return.

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Gayle
6/9/2020 08:53:24 am

I suppose self-entitlement starts even younger than the teenage years but that it is where it really shows up in full blown active wear! And from there it continues to grow and change depending on our individual circumstances. Hopefully by getting this discussion on the table (breakfast, lunch and dinner) we can start to recognise where it is playing out around us and in our own behaviours.

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Lynne Paull-McLeod
13/9/2020 12:33:27 pm

Yes Sandra & Gayle, I agree and it makes me feel very uncomfortable to think about those times in my life, right up to present day, when I put myself before others. It used to be glaringly obvious however I've refined my self-entitlement as I've aged and it's those situations where there's a fine line between self-love and the honouring of all that can seem clouded. It can be ever so subtle but if I'm honest I can definitely feel it when I'm feeling entitled. It really is true that if our decisions, thoughts and actions are not for the whole, for everyone, then we are assuming self-entitlement.

Gayle
13/9/2020 12:15:52 pm

Yesterday I was at the shopping centre, waiting at a pedestrian crossing to walk from the carpark to the grocery store. Already waiting there was an elderly woman (by 'elderly' I mean she looked to be at least 10 years older than me, gauging on posture and vitality). The cars were going relatively slow anyway, being in a car park, so she started to head across the pedestrian crossing, thinking that the car would roll to a stop and let the pedestrians pass. Well, they didn't. She had to halt herself in order to let the car drive over the pedestrian crossing. Now here is the punch line. Speaking in an ordinary volume, she looked at the driver (who couldn't hear her because the windows were rolled up), she said, "Oh yes, you go ahead, your needs are greater than mine." She has probably never muttered the words self-entitlement, but she certainly knew what they meant!

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Lynne Paull-McLeod
19/9/2020 10:48:52 am

Yes driving on the roads one sees the reflection of self-entitlement way too often. I’ve noticed an unease around looking at my own self-entitlement and found I’ve avoided the space to be able to just sit with it. There is clearly much 'self' getting stirred up within me. Making my life about purpose is huge for me and yet I struggle with the whole notion of 'my time’. I realise there is no such thing as ‘my time’ in reality but I still get caught up in wanting to keep little pockets of my day for 'me' to use as 'I' wish and as mad as it appears to be – I’m observing this for now .

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Patricia Darwish
2/10/2020 06:15:49 am

Thank you for deconstructing the idea of 'my time'. I have always kept a part of my day as 'my time'. I figured that after having done a day's work and taken care of the family I was 'entitled' to a little time of my own and isolate myself with a book. So much for me to look into.

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Lynne Paull-McLeod
2/10/2020 01:30:00 pm

I so understand what you are sharing here Patricia and one for us all to let go of eventually.

Bernadette Curtin
17/11/2020 07:17:40 pm

The idea of ‘my time’ is something I have held onto in the past in order to refocus and replenish flat batteries. I now realise that it’s not all about me, that this time for myself has ripple effects out to others. If I am fresh and present, others get that instead of a resentful face.

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