In today’s society, no news is considered good news. Commotion is always present and every day, some unfortunate event occurs. Whether it be trivial or significant, there is one way to solve many of these problems. It is a three letter word and it starts with the letter “E.” No, the word is not 'eat' for those of you who are foodies. Eating is not the answer (although sometimes it helps). The correct answer is ego.
Here are some examples. Did someone hurt your feelings and do you feel emotional about it? Let me rephrase the second half of that question to shift your thinking. Did someone hurt your feelings or are you hurting yourself more by holding on to that negative energy and letting it ruin your day? By adjusting your ego in this scenario, you can see the bigger picture. Questions like, “Why did this person offend me?” should not be asked. The person who upset you could’ve been having a bad day and didn’t mean to hurt you. Whatever the reason and whatever they did is done and over with. Sometimes it is not always about you. Letting go of your ego may help you move past your hurt feelings.
Got rejected from your dream school? I understand the pain, but don’t dwell on the fact that things didn’t go the way you hoped. Instead, get back on your feet and start looking for another dream school. Wallowing in your sorrow will get you nowhere. In this situation, reducing your ego will allow you to reevaluate your options, look at plan “B," and grow as a person. You may also realize that attending or not attending a certain school should not define who you are, so stand tall and look ahead!
Are you in a toxic relationship that is causing you grief and misery? Examine the situation and find the cause of that pain. Are you the one triggering tension? If so, push your ego aside and apologize to make amends. If the other person is the one stirring up heat, then just move on. Life is all about the present. I’m sure most of us have heard different sayings about how today is a gift and that is why we call it the present. But if you think about it, that corny quote is relevant and true. On your birthday when you receive a gift, you don’t say, “Thank you for this past” or, “This future is awesome!” That would just be odd.
I do not claim to be a guru on psychology or regarding one’s ego. I am simply sharing what I have experienced and believe the ego plays a significant role in everyday life situations. Disagree with me? That’s understandable, but then why are you still here reading this article? You must have temporarily set aside your ego to keep reading an opinion you disagree with. Life is actually really simple, but we make it difficult with the excuses that we create. I am not saying to completely disregard your ego since we all need self-love. However, examining your ego may be beneficial. So the next time a situation is present, remember the three letter word that starts with “E” to help you eat away your ego.
