My life has been dominated by thoughts of self. Acts of self. Motivations to serve myself. Rarely has anyone come before me, despite a loving, selfless wife, thoughtful family, considerate friends, and the ever-present love of God. “I” has always come first. I have been selfish.

This year, I desire to change that. This year, I wish to give of myself to others. Volunteer regularly. Write thank-you notes. Remember birthdays. Act out of love rather than perceived personal pleasure or gain. Walk in my wife’s shoes. Live not through greed or vanity, but through genuine gratitude and humility. Be the friend, son, brother, and husband I can be. I should be. Live in openness and acceptance of God’s grace, letting it flow through me into the lives of others. To think of others before myself. To live for others. To consider, in my actions, not how they will affect me, but how they will affect my wife, family, friends, coworkers, and God.

There is no “I” in “husband”. But there is one in “wife”. And I will make sure I see it there every day. Likewise, there is a “me” and an “I” in “marriage”. They are there to remind me (and I) that I will always be part of something larger than myself. And that “self” is something we have only because it should be given away. I wish to be selfless.