Wisdom: When The Ego Dies

Introduction:

Welcome my friend,

Here we are again, sitting down for another heartfelt conversation.

As always, the intention is to shade light on a particular area of our life, sparking an awareness that quietly shifts our perspective, causing us to act better going forward.

This is what self improvement is about.

Here together, with each insight we share, we learn a little more.

We evolve, we deepen, and we become slightly better versions of ourselves with every idea we explore together.

This is the true purpose of our time here.

So thank you for showing up and walking this path with me, hopefully it'll be worth it for you.

Discussion:

I came across a saying that went something like: “Intelligence is knowing how to solve a problem; wisdom is knowing whether the problem deserves solving in the first place.”

From this, we can infer that wisdom is essentially intelligence that feels secure enough not to have to prove itself at every opportunity.

In practice, a highly intelligent person often doesn’t hesitate to demonstrate their smartness, even if it means going out of their way and making someone else look foolish in the process.

A wise person on the other hand understands that sometimes the damage proving they're right causes the relationship isn't really worth the point they're trying to make.

So they let it slide anyway.

Indeed, this contrast reveals a crucial distinction between the two qualities, but something deeper underlies it.

At the root of these different responses is the ego.

Truth is, much of what drives people’s behavior is the deep seated need to prove they are good enough, even better than others, and won't be dismissed or overlooked.

So they do things they feel will accord them this respect and attention, even without minding the consequences.

For them, successfully making their point becomes the overriding priority.

This pattern feeds the ego, making it easy to stay locked in that cycle, most times hardly realizing what the costs are, until the losses have become painfully clear and probably irreversible.

It's for this reason then, that the wise person chooses to starve the ego instead, even starving it to death.

■ How This Ego Affects Us

A wise person is ready to play the fool because they understand that it doesn't make them foolish.

When two sides can't reach an agreement simply because each is determined to prove their viewpoint superior, the real loser is the progress they could have achieved together.

This plays out in homes, when spouses remain locked in conflict, or dismiss their children’s concerns, insisting they alone should have the final say.

As a result, the family can drift apart, losing the chance for the peaceful, united life that could have emerged if egos had been set aside in favor of wisdom.

The same pattern appears, to varying degrees, in workplaces and businesses.

Someone might dismiss a valuable idea simply because they look down on the person who proposed it, thereby stifling the organization’s potential growth.

Likewise, business owners may cling to outdated methods they’re known for, refusing to adopt new innovations, even when doing so limits expansion and keeps results far below what is possible.

The truth is that pride manifests in countless subtle and overt ways across every area of life, and it exacts a cost in each one.

Once ego takes control, we become vulnerable to making regrettable decisions.

For instance, the poor financial decisions people make, living beyond their means and accumulating debt; just to project an image of success and keep up appearances.

The reality is, whether in relationships, businesses, or personal lifestyle, the moment ego assumes the leading role, one or more of its destructive consequences are almost inevitable.

■ How We Starve The Ego

Now that we understand how destructive this ego can be in our lives, we don’t have to wait until it brings us down before we act.

We can deliberately stop feeding it, refusing to engage in the behaviors that nourish it, so that deprived of its strength, it gradually weakens and dies.

One of the most common ways we feed the ego is through self exaltation: some of us inflate our own importance because we feel like we’re carrying more weight or doing too much.

Yet history and experience are full of examples of people who have done far more, only to see everything lose meaning in an instant.

Truth is, nobody is too good to fail, too significant to be overlooked, or too rare to be replaced.

Life has repeatedly demonstrated its power to humble anyone, no matter who they are or what they do, reducing them to the very things they once thought “could never be me”.

When we constantly remind ourselves of this truth, the very things that we value most begin to look common in our eyes.

Their shine fades, and we no longer feel the compulsion to inflate our ego because of them.

■ What Happens When We Starve The Ego 

When the ego is starved to death, our behaviors change because the motivation and intention behind our actions are no longer the same.

We begin to act better showing the following attributes;

▪︎ Humility 

To be humble is to appreciate everyone for who they are, recognizing their unique purpose.

When we shift our focus from ourselves, we zoom out, turning our eyes on others, and taking note of their unique attributes and contributions.

This awareness humbles us deeply, because we grasp better the fact that the things we do not know, and the abilities we do not possess, far outweigh those that we do.

▪︎ Patience 

When the ego dies we no longer judge others harshly because we're able to show them more grace, having become that willing ear that gently listens and quietly waits as they share their story.

Truth is, we're all products of our nature and nurture, both of which we don't have the power to determine; so we need to be patient with others, understanding that they're still working on these flaws.

Most importantly, when those that have it tougher with their upbringing or prevailing circumstances share their struggles, we shouldn't let our privileges blind us.

▪︎ Tolerance 

Patience teaches us tolerance, the acceptance that others have their own suitable ideas and peculiar methods.

When we cease overvaluing our own opinions, we make deliberate efforts to see the world through others' lens, seeking to understand the reasons behind their choices and behaviors.

This open mindedness fosters healthier interactions, built on mutual respect rather than competition or superiority.

▪︎ The Discipline To Delay Gratification 

Once the ego is starved, the compulsion to impress others evaporates and without that pressure, we no longer feel driven to rush the process or force outcomes.

Truth is, many of us in our frantic desire to feed our ego prematurely broadcast plans that are still in the works and by doing so invite unnecessary pressure on ourselves.

Consequently, we become too eager, even desperate to meet these expectations; unfortunately this desperation is the very thing that undermines the result.

Ideally, once the ego can now successfully forgo short term applause today for lasting legacy tomorrow, it becomes ready for a lifetime of sustainable victories and lasting fulfillment.

▪︎ Peace Of Mind 

When we no longer feel the need to measure ourselves against anyone else, the endless cycle of comparison comes to an end.

As a result, we stop swinging between feeling overly important or painfully inadequate depending on who stands beside us.

Instead, we rest in the quiet assurance that we are enough, just as we are, having adapted a new and wholesome sense of self.

■ The Divine Perspective On The Ego

As believers, every gift we possess, every ability we exercise, and every height we reach, is solely by the grace of Jesus Christ.

God Himself empowers us for every achievement, so that through our excellence we direct others to Him, bringing glory to His name.

This leaves little room for our ego since we take no credit for any of these things.

When we truly grasp it this way, the ego quietly dies a natural death.

Yet, all these are only possible if we believe in Him.

Jesus Christ invites us into a life far greater than we could ever dream, one that fully aligns with our destined purpose.

The only requirement is that we believe in Him

Once we do, our journey truly begins.

Step by step, we start learning to follow Him and do His will, completely laying our ego aside.

 Summary:

A wise person slowly starves their ego until it dies.

When we truly recognize that everything we are and everything we possess has been freely given to us by our Creator, we stop feeling superior or special, but deeply privileged.

This single shift in perspective makes a whole lot of difference, influencing our behaviors moving forward.

Thanks for joining me today.

It's been a long conversation, which is why having you get to this point means even more.

See you next weekend.

Master Apprentice.

www.x.com/truekingmaker