Entitlement

I don't know about you but I have certainly had a great deal of entitlement running my life. I'd like to think not anywhere as much now (I'm 45) vs. when I was in my youth (especially early 20's). The internal talk was "I deserve it" --> "it's just about me" --> "it doesn't harm anyone else" etc. Be it material objects, sex, food, drinking etc. - it's all the same. Interestingly I just looked up the definition of entitlement and here's the one version that is consistent with the theme: "a government program that provides benefits to members of a group that has a statutory entitlement; also : the benefits distributed by such a program." Wow - I never realized when I am living in entitlement consciousness I am living in "you owe me government" mode. Yes I have an issue with people who feel they are entitled to live off the government and do not need to work or be productive in any way. AND I know I am guilty of that myself - in my own way. Stay tuned for other posts on this subject. I am reading a very fascinating book that says it actually serves humanity for each of us to be 'selfish' - but the author defines that very differently than I would have imagined it to be. In my understanding so far - it's the opposite of entitlement but keeps the essence of that concept from a soul centered perspective.