The Importance of Being Selfless
Selfless according to Merriam Webster means “having no concern for self”. I realize that in today’s world it is very difficult and totally impractical to be completely selfless. In these times, success favors the opportunistic. People who are always looking out for opportunities to excel, to show that they are different, to gain mileage from someone else’s fall, invariable succeed more and faster than others who don’t. If you become selfless, then the opportunistic will use you as a foot board and climb to higher ground while you will still where you are. Totally ignored and forgotten.
It is in a relationship that I feel, everybody needs to be selfless. With your partner, there is no threat of being trampled or taken for granted even if you become selfless. Thinking about others before self is a task that is easier said than done. You should be able to realize their wishes, likes, dislikes and act accordingly. Try to give them their due importance. Try to appreciate what they are doing. Try to make your partner happy and always keep it that way.
The basic assumption in the above is that your partner also understands, appreciates and reciprocates the same to you. If both the partners try to be selfless, there cannot be a situation when there are unhappy days.
Project Ponder 
There is another opinion proposed by none other than Ayn Rand- that selfless means the lack of self.
Even in being selfless, what gains is very precious – the feeling of having helped someone/ internal satisfaction.
For example, when you donate food/clothing/money to the children – you are seeking adoration,gratitude.
In fact selflessness Ayn Rand says is ” without the sense of self” You do selfless deeds to look good in front of others (you dont have your own sense of self!!)
If you ask me the meaning of ‘being selfless’ I would say ‘do something which benefits somebody(may be your partner) without expecting anything in return’.
Is it possible for you to say that you dont expect anything? Don’t you expect peace of mind? Just kidding….
Being selfless is possible only for saints. And as you said internal satisfaction is not to be considered as a return.
@Mambo: True…the least one expects is peace of mind 🙂
never look down on any body except you want to help them.