A lot of times I wonder what does it mean to be nice. Is it just putting everyone else's need above self, and forget about/neglect self benefits?

But isn't being nice a kind of 'self-benefit' too? So that you leave a good impression in everyone's mind, that 'nice' became the word that describes you, and everyone likes you?

If this is natural and nothing-wrong, then why do I feel so uncomfortable with this?

A lot of times I wonder if I am nice towards people around. Whether people like who I am, whether I could be nicer. But I am unsure why I would want to be kind. If it's for self seeking reasons like wanting people to like me, is it for the right motive that I'm doing things to be nice?

However, for many other times, I am nice because I really care about people I love, people I treasure, and felt that only these people deserve my effort to be nice (because it's not easy to be nice). For such a narrow extent of niceness, and less 'self-seeking' motive, is it the best case?

What does 1 Corinthians 13:5 mean by saying "Let no one seek his own good"?

I'm confused, yet enjoying this whole thought process.

Sent from my iPhone