Ego

 

Finding the point of balance between arrogance and humility is a difficult exercise. It is here though that you will start to reap the benefits of a quiet self assurance which will enable you to live harmoniously with yourself, and every one you come in contact with.

People with an inflated opinion of their own importance are not hard to find, it is a pretty common mind set.

An inflated ego is often mistaken for a healthy sense of self. They are definitely not the same thing.

Egotists only ever think of themselves. They have little or no concern for anyone else; unless they can be used in a manner which helps them achieve a particular goal. They will discard or destroy anyone who gets in their way.

Winning at any cost, and by any means, is their way of operating.

This arrogance may have a basis of high competence in their field, or it may be a wall they use to prevent close emotional contact.

Whatever the reason; it is a state of mind that will isolate the person in their own little bubble. It can never lead to any real insights or understanding; as they believe they have all the answers, so don’t even need to look.

When they discover that they actually don’t know it all the fall can be very dramatic.

They never develop the ability to understand other people.

 

 The flip side to the egotist are those who have lost their self esteem or sense of self worth.

In this state every one appears to be better than you. As everything you do turns out wrong; there seems no point in competing at all.

The damage from this cycle tends to be very much self directed.

Expecting to always lose, becomes a lifestyle.

Obviously this is not a healthy state of mind. Like the egotist it will also isolate the person in their own little bubble. The

only difference being that the egotist will be in their bubble, but surrounded by people; whereas those with low self esteem

will try and avoid company as much as possible.

 

True self awareness, and the self assurance that comes with it, lies in the middle of these two extremes.

The egotist has to learn humility and empathy for other people. Those on the other end of the scale need to realise that they are a worthwhile, and valuable, person no matter what there situation may be.

 Altering these mental habit patterns is a slow process; requiring a persistent effort.in this madness

 

My Part 

 At the time I painted this in 1983 I was struggling with the realities and hypocrisy of making a living in the “Art” world. It was also a period of serious self doubt and insecurity.

Self promotional ability, rather than any particularly awesome talent, seemed to be what was mostly required to succeed.

As I didn’t consider myself better than anyone else, the concept of going out and trying to sell myself seemed hypocritical. I consequently never considered my artwork to be anything of real value. When completed I lost all interest in them, and they were often destroyed.

The fact that the only thing I wanted to do was paint, and the realities of not being able to earn an income from it, just fueled my insecurities and sense of failure.

This sense of constant failure has been a very hard thing to shake off. It never stopped me from trying out new things artistically but it did prevent me from appreciating, or placing any value,on what I did.

 

My years of Meditation practice have enabled me to move closer to the point of balance; so I can now be a lot more objective about life.

The importance of self belief can’t be stressed enough. It is not the same as ego. It is the understanding that you are capable and have the right to explore, and follow, where your interests and talents lead. If you can do this with a sense of inner contentment then a path will open for you to succeed.

 

Has some inner drive taken you in a direction against all reason?

 Did this lead you to any greater personal understanding or contentment?