excuse me while i ponder

i've been thinking a lot lately (yes believe me it hurt), is it more important to be who you are or who you want to be. "be yourself" has got to be the slogan of my generation but what if who you are isn't that great a person. for eg. i do consider myself to be rather selfish, i want the best piece of pie, i want attention, i want presents, i want my own way, i want the world to stop when something bad happens to me. but i don't want to be a selfish person so i look at the best piece of pie and i give it away... i still want attention and presents (hint hint) but i'd prefer to put myself out then someone else. so does that mean i'm not really a selfish person cos i decide not to be? or does the person who always puts other people out and takes the best piece of pie not even consider the alternative and thats what makes them selfish. i don't get it...

i'm wondering if the whole "be yourself" thing is just an excuse to be inconsiderate and lazy or materialistic and aggressive. its gone from trying to give young people confidence and strength to avoid the consequences of peer pressure and body image, to giving adults a wall to hide behind when they've done or said something thats out of line. how many times have you heard the phrase "but thats just me" and its usually to avoid giving an apology.

have the mean/rude/insensitive people just given up on themselves and decided that that can be them? or am i making a the stupid assumption that other people have to make the decision to do the 'right' thing like i do. does it come easier to you guys? do you envy the people who just do want they want and don't give a s**t like i do but at the same time know your conscience would kill you?

NB: before you all tell me to get off my pedestal i know i don't do the right thing a lot of the time and yes my conscience does kill me. but i'm talking about the REALLY bad people... and anyway, this post is nothing more than a thought.