Larry, I struggle with the same thing. I can be so terribly selfish, immature, hard hearted, and just plain ol’ snotty.
What I try to do is receive the sacraments regularly and often. I often find that frequent confession really helps me be accountable for all of the cruddy attitudes, meanness, etc. that creeps into my life. I believe that we receive graces from this sacrament that help us become less self centered.
I also think that receiving the eucharist as often as possible is a definite way to help convert our selfish little selves to more Christ centered selfs. My work and family scheldule rarely allows me to go to daily mass, but if given the oppourtunity, I do go. I do go to eucharistic adoration once a week, though, and this is some great quality time with our Lord.
And of course, prayer, prayer, and more prayer.
Also, concider trying to work spiritual and corpral acts of mercy into you day. Can you say some prayers for the souls in purgatory? Can you pray for other people in your life? Can you go through your closets and weed out the items you don’t need any more and donate them to a homeless shelter, Goodwill, etc? Can you teach CCD at your parish? There are so many things that we can do throughout our day that helps us take the focus off of ourselves, and put it on helping others, even if in small, easy ways.
Another thing that has helped me is to read St. Francis de Sales book, An Introduction to the Devout Life. Wonderful, practical advise for living a truly Christian Life.
And of course, when I have all of this perfected, I’ll let you you know!
