Taming the ego - 2

Identity :

We knowingly or mostly unknowingly associate our identity with something, and we find someone else helping us to feed and strengthen that identity we like. When someone breaks or hurts the identity with which we associate ourselves, we don't like them. All the things with which we associate our identity are, in fact, like ripples from the source. This is all a play of ego.When we learn that our thoughts and interests are not us but ours, we are. moving one step ahead in taming our ego.

Reflections 2023

 The situations and experiences I went through this year paved the way for attitude shifts or understanding of certain things.

1. Protect your emotional energy. Don't let yourself get drained by useless things. Choose your battles wisely. Some things are just not worth it. Take ownership of all your emotions.  No one can make you feel this and that. It's all your choice. "Take it light".The dualities of life will not affect us intensely when we practice the art of taking everything lightly. Practice the inner space.

2. Self-awareness: Ignorance is not bliss. Be perfectly aware of what you can and cannot do, and change yourself wherever required. Understanding and ego are always inversely proportional. Understanding always begins with the self. 

3. Atomic habits matter. Whether small habits bring about positive changes, giving up on them will surely bring negative results. This applies to all areas of life.

4. Self-care: Be there for yourself. Stop expecting external validation. Go ahead and take care of yourself. Accept, motivate, and love yourself. Don't expect things from the outside. Just pick yourself up and keep going. Self-care is self-responsibility. 

5. The amalgamation of humility and willpower: The life journey is not always smooth.  At different stages and for various reasons, every journey has its ups and downs. The closed doors, the blocked roads, U-turns, the detours, the thorns, and stones or a big giant wall coming along our way or a pit which is out of sight.Nonresistance is the first step in handling the barriers. Acceptance is the second step.  The will to move beyond the hurdle is the third step. Every hurdle should make us more humble and strong-willed. Willpower ( Sankalpa Shakthi) is the most powerful thing. Will power develop on repeated application.  Increased willpower and humility are the signs of spiritual progress.

Very grateful to each and every one who has walked through this year with me for all their support,  guidance, and love. Taking lessons from 2023, let's look forward to a beautiful year ahead with a heart full of gratitude for all that is and affirming to start from where we are with what we ave to become a better version of ourselves.