Navigating The Ego
We are 25 days into the new year and I am already feeling the need to stop, re-center myself, and start fresh. Being a Spiritual Life Coach doesn’t preclude me from upset, especially when our world feels like an intense roller coaster ride.
Just when I was filled with hope for a new year, the insurrection happened, all while the pandemic is still raging in the US. These new virus strains are deeply concerning, and it’s looking like there may not be accountability at the highest levels of government for what happened at the capitol, or at least the country is split on it, and it makes my head spin.
I don’t want to make this political. Rather, to share how I bring myself back into center. We can’t control what happens on the outside, we can only control our response. This isn’t easy.
I believe we are all miraculous beings of light divinely connected to something bigger - some call it God, Spirit, the Universe, etc. Yet as humans, we are imperfect. We have a mind, which is miraculous and also limiting in part because of the “Ego.”
The Ego’s is a function of the mind, and it’s job is to question, argue, debate, etc, all of which creates upset and confusion. Every one of us has the ability to work with our thoughts. Our darker thoughts serve a purpose and remember, they are temporary. It’s worthwhile to remember that we need our ego to some degree because it helps us to anticipate danger, rationalize and take care of ourselves. Here’s a great article which simplifies it.
When we stay too long in the ego, we suffer. When we get lost in the trail of negative thinking, a ripple effect happens - we get depressed, have less energy, fall back into bad habits, and sometimes lash out at others. Some people ignore these feelings or suppress them, or bypass them, only for them to resurface later.
We must remember to come back into balance over and over again. During the day of the riots, I was devastated, but from my view not surprised because this is what happens when bad behavior goes unchecked without accountability. Anyone with children understands this. When it happens at the highest levels of government, it’s very unsettling. My mind went wild and I was terrified of what this could evolve into. Has the ripple effect of what I perceive as perpetual lies and willful ignorance gone on for too long? Are these conspiracy theories out of control? No one knows for sure, but we wonder…... wonder happens in the mind.
We must not stay in the mind for too long.
We must find healthier ways of being with ourselves, especially our thoughts without bypassing them. For me, I did what I usually do - I went to my yoga mat to breathe, called in the light and came back into center. I felt a little better, but not for long, I needed more. So, I devoted more time, I stayed longer on my mat to remind myself over and over that:
These feelings are real and they are mine
Those ego thoughts were temporary and limiting
This too shall pass
The world is complex and we are living in this moment right here, right now
“The moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends towards justice” (MLK)
I can’t control what I can't control
I can only do my best to live by example and be the light.
I will not bypass my feelings
I am light and love
I can and will continue to show up fighting for what I believe in, from a softer place.
I choose inner peace and balance
While I whole-heartedly have faith in the overall good in humanity, there is no doubt this will be another challenging year. Therefore, I will be triggered again and again, and only I can bring myself back into balance. For me, this means to create more space and do practices which can be fun too - taking longer walks, practicing self-care, reading uplifting material, watching inspiring movies, etc. I made a vow to myself that if I am working too much or get triggered by situations bigger than me, I will come back into balance with something soothing and relaxing.
Whatever is triggering you, these are great practices. If you’ve lost your momentum on your New Year Intentions (diet, health goals, etc), it’s never too late to start again. Try some version of the above to bring yourself back into balance. If you need support, I am here to help, through individual coaching or workshops.
Remember, everything we want is an inside job. (Happiness, Success, Peace, etc)
I’ll close this blog post with a quote from the bright light that is Amanda Gorman:
“For there is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.”
See her entire poem “The Hill We Climb” here: