Maybe I'm the problem?

Something big happened last year.

Taylor Swift became self-aware.

She realized that she's been the problem - not the world around her.

Whether she changed her ways or not, I don't know, but coming to that realization is step one.

More people need to follow in her footsteps.

Today's world is monumentally ego-driven.

We can do no wrong, and if it makes us the slightest bit uncomfortable, frustration and anger take over.

That's the main function of the ego - to keep us on a pedestal.

I would put money on the average Swiftie not being able to articulate what they're feeling and why they're feeling it when their ego is in action.

Going even further, I would put that same money on 99% of America.

Clouded perception

Humans today take on a very outside-first mindset.

This means what happens in our external worlds dictates how we feel on the inside.

We're extremely reactive creatures by nature.

Much of that has to do with the ego. It's just doing its job - to keep us protected as the king of our hill.

But think about this for a second:

Your reactions aren't based on someone or something. They stem from your feelings toward someone or something.

It might not seem like there's a difference, but there is. Let me explain.

People will do what they are going to do. We cannot control them.

Let's say that someone comes up to you and says, "that shirt makes you look atrocious."

You might feel really angry inside.

Now you have two options:

cuss them out

or

acknowledge the anger and move on.

Emotions are completely natural - they're going to arise whether we like it or not.

How we react to emotions that arise is another story.

You don't have to choose to react to these visceral feelings.

Your ego may tell you otherwise, though.

The ego's energy consumption

Your ego is like that friend that you have to keep an eye on when you go out to make sure they're not causing any trouble. The second you lose them, you have a problem to deal with.

Plain and simple - if you give your ego a chance to suck all your energy, it will.

It has no problem slipping in and using resources that aren't its own.

The symptoms are pretty obvious as well.

Constantly upset over something, defending "superior" morals, and wanting others to change.

Someone with whom you have to walk on eggshells to be around.

This is how most people live their lives, and they don't question it for one second.

The ego loves the asleep person.

It craves control.

Whatever doesn't align with that control will set the host off.

It's an extremely inefficient way to live your life - not to mention unenjoyable.

But since it's not our default mode, most will never even question that there's an alternative, better way to live.

Becoming the solution

In a world of many problems, being a solution is the best thing you can do.

The solutions are beacons of hope for those who long for progress, but don't know the way forward.

It starts with a few simple steps.

If any of these bring up ill feelings inside, good.

That's a sure signal that your ego is feeling threatened.

You're on the right track.

Do your best to come back to the self and continue reading.

Growing isn't always comfortable, but it's necessary.

Let's dive in.

Acceptance

If there's one thing that you get from reading this, it's that you need to accept things for what they are.

Every moment is as it should be - no matter what's happening or even if you don't like it.

When you fight against the moment, you're fighting against the Universe itself.

Allowing the moment to come and go (as intended) lets you experience the flow of the Universe.

It might feel weird to do this at first.

After all, we live in a world that is constantly judging and getting caught up on trivial shit.

It's not easy to go against a lifetime of conditioning.

Remember that when you react to a situation or person, it's not what's in front of you that's creating that reaction.

It's your response to the emotions that the situation has brought forth.

You can choose what you do with your responses to emotions.

No one else creates your actions.

It would be silly to think that someone else could.

That leads us into our second point.

Responsibility

Most people don't want to believe this, but a lot of problems in our lives are the result of our own actions.

No one else or no other thing can be blamed for the circumstances of your life.

I mean no one.

Instead, we don't allow the moment to pass, we get upset, and we start looking for scapegoats and alibis.

That doesn't help anyone and more than likely starts a few arguments.

Every difficult situation or hard time brings an opportunity for massive creation.

The "worse" the situation, the bigger the creation.

"Bad" things are going to happen. It's just a part of life.

You can accept them, take responsibility, and move forward

or

You can keep yourself stuck in that moment and start more fires.

Resisting only creates stagnant energy and frustration.

Defenselessness

Defensiveness might be one of the biggest problems that we face today.

It's the epitome of the ego.

Everything is always about us. Always.

We constantly feel the need to defend ourselves and our opinions.

But when we get defensive, our ego is in the driver's seat.

When our ego is in the driver's seat, it's no longer about understanding - it's about winning.

Have you ever won an argument and changed someone's mind?

Most likely not.

"Won't people think that I'm weak if I don't fight for what I believe in?"

They might, but that's not the truth.

Defenselessness isn't weakness - it's strength.

When you have no point to defend, you will never encounter another argument.

The samurai who never has to unsheathe his sword is stronger than the one who has taken out a whole village.

You're able to meet every situation fully with love and understand others deeply.

Well that’s it for today.

I hope after reading this you are completely prepped to change your ways and form a new relationship with your ego.

Until next time, with love,

Noah