Re: where do you start and stop thinking about yourself and think of others?
There is a pearl of wisdom that my dad told me a couple of years before he died. He told me that no one will ever care for you and love you like family does. Your parents are your parents till the day you die and he was proud to be my parent etc.
Its definitely something to consider. Yet, I sadly hear of desi and yes even non-desi parents pushing their kids to marry against the judgement of the kids. Personally, I think that EVERYONE should be in agreement or it just shouldnt happen.
There are all types of people, families and situations though. You have to evaluate - without emotion - the reasons why the family may be against your marrying a certain person and/or reasons for marrying a person that you feel is not the best one for you. And you MUST be open and honest with your family about your feelings and get the same in return. Open and honest discussion about the whole thing.
Its the REST of your LIFE you're dealing with here....nothing else will ever be as important as THIS decision.