Another way of looking at it (we were taught the word selfish is bad...not in all cases. And this does not invalidate what the original poster was unhappy about. The poster's feelings are real - but find out the real reason)

"Everyone is selfish; everyone is doing what be believes will make himself happier. The recognition of that can take most of the sting out of accusations that you're being "selfish." Why should you feel guilty for seeking your own happiness when that's what everyone else is doing, too?

The demand that you be unselfish can be motivated by any number of reasons: that you'd help create a better world, that you have a moral obligation to be unselfish, that you give up your happiness to the selfishness of someone else, or that the person demanding it has just never thought it out.

And when someone accuses you of being selfish, just remember that he's upset only because you aren't doing what he selfishly wants you to do."

Harry Browne