I can’t sleep.
Those 3 bright red numbers are staring at me.
3:08
A.M.
Something is bothering me and I asked myself the right questions to really get to the bottom of it. I realize what it is….it’s EGO (your “story” that interprets what you perceive- as Matt Sorgenfrei puts it).
“EGO! I cast thee!”
and I let it go. Slept like a baby.
An important growth piece that I’ve gained through the years is being able to stop in my tracks to understand what and why it’s bothering me. I know…It’d be easier if we were just robots operating on no emotions or no hearts to be broken. But unfortunately, we’re not. Despite my mom saying “See! Even robots have feelings and compassion!”, during Wall.E. (She’s so cute.)
We have to deal with real people, real relationships and real emotions. And often times the root of why something is holding us back or bothering us, tends to be EGO. Here’s the process of questions you need to ask yourself during these times:
1. What are you feeling?
2. Why does it bother you?
3. So why does that matter?
4. Could it be your ego that’s holding you back or causing this?
If it turns out that EGO is the culprit…here’s how you kick that bugger to the curb. (Yeah, I love the ‘kicking to the curb’ metaphor)
A. EGO
Often times, this is the cause of hurt. Your pride is scarred, your ego is damaged. Ego tries to identify your “self” and solidify who you are, but it’s unnecessary because often it builds your tough skin and holds you back.
B. That’s it?
So what? It’s just your ego. Your ego won’t save your life if you’re drowning! Your ego won’t make you richer or happier. Bottom line, there’s no need for the sucker. You’re the driver so you’re in control. Realize that it’s just your EGO and LET THAT FEELING LET GO.
C. It too shall pass
You’ve dealt with bigger obstacles and you came out strong in the end. So whether you’re dealing with a break-up, a scuffle with a co-worker or someone cut you off on the road…realize that this moment is just a nano-second compared to how wonderful and vast your universe is. Let it pass. Your mental property is much too valuable. That’s Vanae’s tip of the dae!
So go ahead!
Let go of ego and…
Call him and make plans!
Apologize to her and share what you’ve learned!
Allow that car to go in front of you!
What do you think?
Based on this, *everyone* should read Eckhart Tolle’s books. Probably starting with The Power of Now, then moving onto A New Earth. However, I’m currently reading Stillness Speaks, which is a collection of thoughts/ideas relating to being “in the Now”. The following came to mind when reading this post:
“Here is a new spiritual practice: don’t take your thoughts so seriously.”
i just finished reading ‘a new earth’ and to be honest, i wasn’t really impressed. not that i HAD to be. but it took me 6 months to get over the language that tolle used.
obviously, the mood and tone is aligned with zen but the content is not that eye-opening. this is not to say that this book was worthless.
it does have value in breaking down EGO, CONSCIOUSNESS and living in the present.
i just wasn’t a big fan as my friends are.
what was your experience?
People are suppost to have an ego. It’s part of the human psyche. It’s the subconscious super-ego alot of people do not keep in check, or are completely oblivious too. I’m just as guilty as anyone else. I don’t believe in just letting things pass. If I feel like I look “bad”, I asess. This is going to sound funny, but a great asessment question to keep in your mind is: “Am I the dumbass in this scenario/situation?” The answer to this question should be answered by you first. Another great asessment question is: “Is this person/group displacing their dumbass-ed-ness on to me?”. Are they rationalizing that the inferiority is your fault, & complacent to “pass the buck”.
I say have an ego, & also recognize that you do stupid, silly, funny, & unorthadox stuff too. A great mixture of humility, & ego is pretty frikkin cool. It creates a demeanor about you that people pay attention to.
Also, I would like to say that the word ignorant isn’t a derogatory term. It’s an adjective, decribing the abscence of knowledge about something.
VANAE!!! And V-STARS. You’ve all been missed.
Hello! It’s been awhile since i’ve posted on here… Sorry, I’m still remodeling my house, my office isn’t ready yet, and dont have computers in the house… And its really time consuming to post on here from my Iphone…
SO EGO huh?
Like pride ego can be a killer of self, situation, and relationships alike.
Confidence and ego may at times appear to be one in the same, but that is not so. Ego has no backbone to its face values, while confidence on the other hand is stern and fully in direct result to back bone that hold it in high status.
Just a thought.
Food for thought?
I was just gonna say something about Tolle, but somebody already beat me to it. What’s that line about geniuses thinking alike…^_^
God Vanae, did you write this post for me? Scary how accurate most of this is in my life. I have to face some fears I have-step up to the plate. Although I’m working on stuff now, I just can’t get it done…yet.
Right. Ego keeps you from living in the NOW and attaches you to the past and the future. Neither is terribly bad, but as far as emotional thrusts go, it can put a damper on those dance moves.
I agree with you to a point…. I’m sure there are those who have argued that it is important… to a fault. But as with anything it is the interaction between one and their ego. In this case a bad one in keeping you awake or from doing something that you perceive is indicative of a normal life (normal life??? what is that??). However there are those who thrive on their ego pushing them beyond their limits (for better or for worse) and then there are those who let it (as you have pointed out) weigh you down. Ultimately I believe a happy median is possible for those who feel they need it and for those who don’t know how to “kick it to the curb.” Finding it is the adventure.
;D