The point is, ladies and gentleman, that greed – for lack of a better word – is good. Greed is right. Greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms – greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge – has marked the upward surge of mankind.

Gordon Gekko – Wall Street 1987

Many famous economists have made similar statements about greed being good, which would directly contrast with the what the world claims to believe. Being selfish is considered by most, to be one of the worst personality traits a person can have. People love anyone who is considered “selfless” or “charitable” and maybe that is because they see character traits in them that they do not personally possess. Maybe it’s because we feel incapable of truly being selfless with the situation that we currently find our self in. Everyone wants to be charitable but not everyone currently has the means to.

For anyone that has been flying, and actually paid attention to the flight attendants safety instructions, they always tell you to put your own oxygen mask on before assisting others. This is paramount because if someone truly needs help but you pass out before assisting them them then you both are screwed.

We add the most value to others lives when we are our best selves.

Ty Donnelly

Freedom is driven by greed and greed is driven by freedom. If you strip away the right to choose or pursue the things that matter most to you then none of what I am saying will really matter anymore. The ability to fail is one of the biggest consequences of freedom and greed is one of the only things that will prevent people from failing. People strive to do anything to improve their life and the life of their family. In the process of improving their life people grow, learn and adapt by becoming a better employee, spouse, neighbor and friend. If you truly want to be selfless, then you must be selfish first. If you want to be a doctor you don’t just apply to a hospital and start cutting people open. On average it takes 13 years after high school to get to that point. This means someone has to focus on developing themself for 13 years before they can really reach their full potential.

On a personal note, I have struggle with depression for a large part of my life. I couldn’t tell you the exact time it started or ended, because I don’t remember when it started and I am not going to claim that I have overcome and conquered it yet. Depression has allowed me to relate with people in ways I never thought would be possible. Helping people who feel the same way I do is one of best feelings in the world, but I can not do that when I am at my worst. On those darkest days it’s so easy to shut down and not do anything. Sometimes I have to be selfish so that I can be my best self when I meet someone else who is depressed.

Maybe you don’t define what I have written has greed, but redefining that word is not my goal. If we do not spend time actually improving ourselves then society as a whole will get worse and quality of life along with it. As Chip Gaines said, “We have too many armchair critics and not enough trail blazers”.