The Big Enemy Of Your Happiness Is Your Ego, See How

An octogenarian tells you why your ego is at the root of most of your problems.

- Ajit Singh

In the garb of ‘self-esteem’ most people have inflated egos. The first casualty as a result of high ego is your peace of mind. Here’s how ego, your false self, destroys it.

The illusion of superiority

Ego makes you feel superior to others. Can anyone become superior to any other person in every respect of life? It is impossible. Everyone is unique. God or Nature does not create duplicates of anyone. So ideally the feeling of superiority should not arise. You might say, “I have more wealth or more qualifications than others.” But even that does not mean you are superior to others, because they may have more of something else that you do not have, but wish for. One way to reduce your ego is to accept your own uniqueness and also appreciate the uniqueness of others.

The need to dominate and control

Ego fights with other egos. As soon as you try to dominate or control others, the other person’s ego resists, revolts and reacts. As a result, the other tries to get back at you or sabotage your efforts at the first opportunity. If you give up your need to dominate and control others, your ego is out and the other’s ego has no one left to fight. Peace and happiness prevail.

Blocked rational thinking

Our ego o en comes in the way of us accepting the reality of situations and looking at things rationally. When something that we don’t like happens, we resist it. If you keep your ego out of the picture and ask yourself two questions, you will be in a better situation.

Can I do anything about what has happened? If yes, do it. If nothing can be done, accept the situation as soon as you can.