@bigbear, you also touch on something perhaps important-- "stage of life." 

As children we are inherently selfish... *"it's all about ME!"* As we grow up, we become more aware that sometimes it's also about other people... first it becomes "about" a partner perhaps, then maybe children... then (for many) it becomes about "the world" when we realize we want our children to live in a better place... and maybe that becomes stronger when we have grandchildren and we're not so *busy* being parents anymore and instead have more time to think outside ourselves...