The word “ego” is from Latin, and means “the self.” To the egotist, everything revolves around the self. However, far from enhancing a person’s stature, egotism diminishes it. You edge out gifts such as creativity, intuition, energy, objectiveness, wisdom, and happiness. You diminish your radiance and darken your light. As American statesman, Benjamin Franklin put it, “A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle.”
When we annihilate our ego, the inner splendor is revealed. For the flower in us to develop, the bud has to die. Dropping the ego, like all worthwhile things in life, is not easy. It can take years of discipline and hard work before you are transformed and completely free from ego.
Here are a few suggestions to keep your ego at bay:
– Refrain from judgment and relinquish control. Be a light, not a judge!
– Practice self-awareness. When we become sufficiently aware, the light of that awareness starts to starve the ego.
– Focus on the big picture. Be driven by the importance of impact.
– Start listening. Go beyond their words to grasp their feelings. Listen with your eyes, ears, heart, and with concentration
– Celebrate diversity. Value the differences in others and see their strengths. Celebrate the success of others as if it were your own.
– Absorb knowledge from every encounter, every experience, every person, every defeat, every setback, and every opportunity.
– Work so deeply that the division between the doer and the doing disappears and work becomes sacred.
– Embrace humility. Humility is born when you realize that you are simply the medium for the universal abundance to flow through.
– Practice gratitude. Write down what five things can you be grateful for today?
– Focus on the present moment by experiencing the positive effect of the people, places, sights, and sounds around you.