If there's one trait that blemishes a person's character like no other, it would arguably be selfishness . I come across people every day -- at work, in the gym, at the grocery store -- who exude a palpable air of selfishness. You can just tell they put themselves before everyone else; they're constantly looking out for their best interest, even if they have to step on others' toes or rip them apart in the process. I'm sure you've met many a person who falls under this category. Here are a few words that typically describe selfish people: Manipulative Scheming Opportunistic Calculating Insensitive Self-centered Self-absorbed Greedy Contemptuous  Difficult Egotistical Stubborn  Dishonest Selfish people can be quite unpleasant to be around, especially when they can't manipulate you to get their way. They also tend to be quite unreliable, expecting you to be at their beck and call but refusing to be there for you when you need them. ...

You may have already heard or read that the Powerball lottery now sits at a whopping $800 million. It's reasonable that anyone would intend to use some of that money on some pure indulgences, from resplendent mansions to luxurious jewelry. What disturbs me, though, is that I've hardly heard anyone say they'd use some of the money toward noble causes, like: Donating to charities  Donating to schools Helping preserve historic buildings and monuments Building new schools, hospitals, and other facilities  Creating new jobs for thousands of people Repairing and rebuilding crumbling infrastructure  Instead, all I hear is talk of using the money to buy lavish things that none of us really need. The world has gone to hell in a hand basket. $800 million is far more than any one person or family would ever need. I hope that whoever wins will put truly needy people before themselves. I'm sure a good chunk of that payout would do organizations like St. Jude Chil...