Spotlighting Ego’s Hidden Agenda 🎯
"What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality." — Plutarch
"Reflect on a recent conflict or moment of discomfort. Ask yourself, 'Was my reaction driven by a need to defend my ego, or was it a reflection of my true values?' Write down your thoughts to gain clarity."
A few weeks ago, I found myself locked in a heated back-and-forth with a close friend about scheduling conflicts. Voices rose. Tension thickened. My cheeks burned, my pulse raced.
But deep down, I knew the issue wasn’t really about schedules.
It was about my ego. It had kicked into overdrive, panicked at the thought that my reliability might be questioned.
That moment hit me like a freight train.
So many reactions—mine, yours, anyone’s—stem from that protective instinct to shield the image we’ve built of ourselves. It’s not about values. It’s about pride, holding its ground like a stubborn sentinel.
So here’s the challenge.
Next time conflict starts brewing, or discomfort creeps up your spine, pause. Breathe—deeply, slowly, deliberately. Three long breaths.
Then ask yourself…
“Am I defending what matters, or just guarding my ego?”
That tiny pause changes everything. It clears the fog, sharpens your focus, and lets you respond from a place that’s honest—not just reactive. Try it. See where it takes you.
"What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality." — Plutarch
Has your ego ever swooped in, uninvited, to shield your pride? Or have you felt the quiet strength of standing unwaveringly for your values? These moments—raw, revealing, sometimes messy—shape us in ways we don’t always expect.
Let’s talk about it. Share your story.
The stumble, the triumph, the in-between.
Drop your reflections below, and let’s build a conversation that’s as human as it gets.
— Ryan Puusaari
P.S. Real growth doesn’t come from perfection.
It blooms in the quiet space where self-awareness meets compassion. In those heated moments, when conflict stirs or emotions flare, there’s a chance to pause.
To ask, “What’s really happening here?”
That curiosity is power. It lets you peel back the layers, moving past the surface to what’s true. And in doing so, you allow your most authentic self—the raw, unfiltered you—to step forward.
Keep tuning in. Keep questioning.
Trust that your inner wisdom knows the way.