The ODA T reading for April 30 is a very powerful reflection on the word "selfishness". The reading points out that this word is often maligned and frowned upon and that we must look up at this in a different light.

 

 I know that I always thought that I was unselfish and giving until Al-Anon asked me to examined my motives, and I discovered that all of my kind, generous, considerate, sympathetic acts were performed with a hidden agenda of making myself look good and so that I could get something in return from that person. What a powerful awareness and disappointment that was!!!

 

Al-Anon stepped in at that moment and explained that the highest form of selfishness is to give of ourselves so that we in turn may broaden our understanding and confidence and that the richest rewards come from helping others with no thought of reward.Learning how to give with no expectations has been a powerful lesson which I learned by serving in Al-Anon group.

The reading quote is from Kahil  Gibran ; "there are those who have little and give it all. These are the believers in life and the bounty of life and their coffers are never empty"