Self-indulgence

Protecting the self is pivotal especially knowing the world can sometimes be cruel and as we age we hopefully become more cognizant of how to achieve a balance to avoid becoming abrasive. Older people tend to lose their filter and indeed this has occurred with me.

I talk to strangers more readily, am more self-assured yet also more primed to react to the worst instincts of some people. Whereas I would swallow my tongue in youth, now there is more instinct to express opinion freely but without intent to injure.

When you are an introvert you tend to observe before you leap and indeed this has been my reliable method bolstered by a natural youthful shyness now largely burned off. We want to avoid appearing cocky but possess just enough confidence which does away with false pretense and embraces humility and empathy for others.

The more we are at peace, the less we have need of overt self-indulgence.