The Fragility of the Human Ego

In the past few weeks, I have once again realized the fragility of the human ego. We all have "it," the ego that is. It dominates how we think, act, talk, how we function in our lives, etc. The ego is a part of the human psyche that separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom. There is nothing wrong with an ego unless it is allowed to overtake our consciousness; then it becomes problematic.

I have been as guilty as the next man or woman when it comes to having an inflated ego. Sometimes we believe our own press. When things go well, we tend to believe we belong on a pedestal, even though, deep down, we are only stroking our insecurities.

Growing up poor, all we had to cling to was faith, family, and honor. Those were the three things a person did not mess with, and it is/was even more pronounced in the Southern states where pride in self and family meant everything. A sense of pride in those things was always enforced in our family, but allowing the ego to overtake all else was not.

The difference between "a sense of pride" and an "overarching ego" is the former drives you to be better, while the latter takes over your ability to reason. You control one, while the other controls you. I am guilty of allowing this to happen, and unfortunately, I've watched as several others are currently allowing their ego to control their thoughts and actions. As is par for the course, those under the control of their ego have no idea what is happening and how it impacts those around them.

All that said, this entry is not written to berate anyone; on the contrary, it is written as a means to warn the reader and to help us all keep our ego in check. Let us not make excuses for our actions by calling ourselves "cocky," "filled with honor," and other such axioms that deflect from our insecurities and poor decisions.

Let us help one another grow and be happy. If you have a skill that someone could learn from or enjoy, share it willingly and openly. If you provide a service for someone, do not try to break another person financially in making it available. The possibility of helping someone less fortunate should be payment enough for anyone with a heart and soul. Oh, and don't always expect some kind of repayment for services rendered--that's just your ego talking.