Self absorption is not the same as self reflection.

The former is focused on what it gets, the latter on what it learns.

Being aware of one’s self–the good, the bad and the otherwise–is key to self reflection. We all change over time so we need to reassess regularly to determine if we’re on course and how we can improve.

Self absorption seems to be far more common. From the airline passenger who brags about putting  his knee in the middle of the seat in front of him so another passenger can recline to the person who runs a red light because his or her “hurry” is more important than your safety, many seem obsessed with meeting their needs at any and all costs.

Like the familiar saying says, a person wrapped up in himself makes a very small package.

Interesting, isn’t it, that one antidote to self absorption is self reflection?