I very much agree that we are all connected. That everything is connected. I believe focusing too much on yourself does cause misery. I don't think the buddhist idea of selflessness is what we would normally think of as selflessness. In normal every day terms it would imply focusing our energy on other people, taking care of our family or whatever. It's more about sort of riding the wave, just experiencing life without the boundaries of feeling tied down or overwhelmed. At least that's how I see it. My dad has studied buddhism for as long as I can remember and he has some great advice when I'm complaining. He always tells me, "sensations, experience them and let them go" then he repeats this sentence several times and gets a dreamy look in his eye. I think it's a great way to look at life.
alice