too much self esteem? selfishness?

i taught the ignite class this morning, they always have class on friday mornings. it was good - i think. we talked about transferable principles from what they've been doing this year to what they may do in the future. we also looked at goal setting. we had class at home today. grace hasn't been all that well, so we switched locations for her.
i had a quick chat to beth last night. sometimes i really miss being home and the friends and the culture of Aus. over the last few days i have also been reminiscing about my teaching days. i look forward to teaching again, i am sure i will at least for a little while. i think mainly of the kids i taught rather than the subjects or the classes. the relationships that you build and what you can teach a kids through those. there were a lot of fun times and the bad times, well, those disappear over time.
relationships are really what it's all about as far as i am concerned. programs, admin, blah blah blah, sure they are all necessary, but it's just not my favourite bit. but it's also the hardest. what do you do when you think there's no way you can help someone anymore but you know you can't give up?
so here's my rant. i know that i am naturally a selfish person. if i am not careful, all i can become concerned about is me, me, me. how this affects me, what i want to do, what i think is right or best, who i want to do things, how i want things done. this is dangerous. i have seen some examples over the last few days of people who think they are all that matters and who think the world should revolve around them. their words and behaviours made me both mad and sad. i've heard it said before that the kids today have been almost too empowered. problem is, they believe what they've been told - that they can do anything they want - and so they do do anything they want, just in all the wrong ways. what's wrong with teaching self discipline? what's wrong with teaching self control? what's wrong with teaching delayed gratification? what's wrong with teaching about realistic goals? nothing. so why does it seem that we don't do this anymore. yes, yes, i am making sweeping generalisations and of course this isn't always the case. but in some ways, this almost seems to be the path we are heading down. i'm all for children knowing how to express themselves and being in touch with their emotional sides, but i'm also all for children who can figure out how much change they should get at mcdonalds when they had over a $10 note.
well that's probably about all i can hold your attention for. so i am going to go and have a nap now. (erin and i did go for a walk this morning - in the freezing rain, which i would just call snow). have a great friday...or saturday if you are in Oz.