About You

There's some irony in that, between infancy and adulthood, the world conspires to curtail our egoism.

Because we start out in life helpless and unable to communicate, "me" is the default condition. Every gesture we make or tantrum we throw is intended to tell others we need something. We cry (I'm hungry!). We wail (I've hurt myself). We have a fit (I don't want to do that!).

Such behavior is tolerated until we are expected to "grow up" and stand on our own two feet. "Stop it," we're admonished. "Suck it up," we're advised. "Think about others, too," we're told. No matter how it's phrased, the underlying point is the same: we cannot expect to be at the center of the universe forever. As we are succinctly reminded much too often: "It's not about you."

Except that's not always the case. Even as adults -- especially so -- sometimes the opposite is true.

It is about you.

It's about the company you keep, and the reputation you want to have.

It's about the work you want to do, and the legacy you want to leave behind.

It's about the person you are, and the person you want to be.

So remember: it's not about you. Except when it is.

You should be able to tell the difference.