Labels, Intentions and Obligations Can Limit Us

As we internally increase our self-esteem, the attachment to things we needed to boost our self-esteem externally become less critical.  For example:  do you know anyone who has a lot of credit card debt from buying designer clothes when they can't afford them?  Or do you know people who have luxury cars but have a hard time meeting their monthly payments? 

Taking action because it feeds our ego is different that taking action to do the "right thing".  Are you giving away more (time, money, effort) than you should because you are feeding the part of you that needs to be seen as a "rescuer"?  It comes back to healthy boundaries and pure intentions.  Taking the time to think through our actions makes the difference in understanding our truth.

Do you consider yourself a "rescuer"?  We all want to give back and help out.  That is normal.  But if your pattern is to rescue and rescue often, you may want to look into the reasons why it's important to you.  

Have you ever heard of someone saying it's bad to have an ego?  I think this is a misunderstood concept which can be detrimental if used incorrectly.  Whenever we have a label (i.e. "I'm a fashionista") that meets an obligation ("I have to buy the lastest designer bag even though I can't afford it because I'm a fashionista"), that is when our egos can become detrimental to our highest potential in life.  Having the obligation (to ourselves and others) to do something because it's "who we are" is the part of the ego that could take us off our most efficient pathway to success.

This is not the same as blocking our "NESS".  Did you see the movie with Owen Wilson "You, Me and Dupree"?  Our "NESS" is what makes us special and unique.  It comes from the inside first, though.  Our uniqueness that comes internally before externally is what we are striving for in life.

There are many variables that make the difference between whether or not it passes the test as to if it's an unhealthy aspect of the ego.  Whether it's a must vs. a choice; whether you would give up something else you need to have what you want; whether you feel authentic without having it; whether your self-esteem comes from having it; it's a deep and complicated subject when we start to have an awareness of what we are attached to.  Being attached isn't wrong, but it has to be further evaluated to discover our reasoning underneath it.

There is nothing wrong with enjoying our world.  Material possessions and our beautiful surroundings are part of what makes life worth living.  When you have the chance to think about who you are, try to discover what you are doing to enhance your "NESS" vs. what you are doing to show other people that you are "someone special" through your actions and possessions.  

When we are able to care more about how we feel internally about ourselves than what we show the world, we are reducing our attachment to the unhealthy part of our egos.  We are all evolving, we all have areas where we could change, and I am the first to say I am far from perfect.  But when I heard that I wasn't supposed to have an ego, I misunderstood that it's bad to have self-esteem, and that's the opposite of what it really means.

Have a great day!

xo

Conni

Today's Mantra:  I will become aware of how I identify myself.

Mantra for Every Day: I choose to send love to all; receiving love back multiplied in infinite proportions, creating and nurturing pathways of love.