As compulsive gamblers, we often look back on our past and hate how selfish we were. We didn’t seem to care about anyone else in the world and would do anything to get our next few dollars to feed our addiction.
For a long time, this thought that I was a selfish person really fueled my depression. Maybe I didn’t deserve to have friends or professional success since I was such a self-centered jerk.
But That’s Not Me. And It’s Likely Not You Either.
Over time, I’ve come to realize that I’m not a selfish person. Sure, the things I did to fuel my addiction were extremely selfish, but that wasn’t really me.
The real me cares about other people. A lot.
I’ve found this to be overwhelmingly true about the other compulsive gamblers I have met. As a whole, they are some of the most thoughtful, generous, caring and UNSELFISH people I know.
The Takeaway
If you’ve been beating yourself up for your selfish behaviors. Stop.
You wouldn’t be here trying to recover and become a better version of yourself if you really only cared about yourself.
Pull out a piece of paper and write down all of the unselfish things you do in your life. My guess is there is more than you expect.