Selfishness or selflessness?

I read the other day that self-help books which promote the idea of individuality as the path to happiness are very popular right now. The idea is that if you allow yourself to do what you want to do (allowing other people in your life the same privilege) and accept that people may not like that, or even you, then you can stop ‘caring’, reduce anxiety and be free! But does this individuality and freedom equal happiness? Most studies find that it is precisely focussing on other people and acting for their benefit that makes us truly happy. Perhaps the middle road between selfishness and selflessness is the best (and maybe the only viable) way, but I guess moderate opinions don’t sell books these days! Click on the image below for learning activities about altruism!