The EGO

It’s easier to be mediocre.

It’s easier to fit in.

It’s easier to follow someone else’s rules.

Breaking out of this mediocre routine is scary, risking, maybe even unthinkable… choosing to break out is what makes you an Artist.

There’s a little person, or a committee, or a part of your brain that likes to tell you:

You suck.

You’re no good.

You aren’t (fill in the blank) enough. (Examples: smart, talented, rich… etc)

This voice also likes to tell you:

Check Facebook.

Check Twitter.

Watch TV.

Be MEDIOCRE, ain’t nothing wrong with that!

Do anything, but do NOT stand out 

Do anything, but do NOT expand your knowledge

Do anything, but do NOT embark on a spiritual journey

Do anything, as long as its NOT YR ART!

This voice has been called many things, and for our purposes here, I’m going to use the term EGO.

The unfortunate truth is the EGO will always exist. And it makes an even stronger argument the more so called ‘impossible’ your endeavor may be. In addition it loves to pump up the volume when you’re getting closer and closer to the finish line on any artistic endeavor.

But the beauty is we can learn to turn down the volume and enter the realm of our true greatness everyday with persistence.

Here is an image somewhat similar to one by Steven Pressfield 

As you can see the EGO is super small… and we are so much more than our EGO.

The challenge is to remember and be aware of this simple truth.

With the teachings and writings of Deepak Chopra, Seth Godin, Steven Pressfield, Josh Pais, and others I’ve come to understand the SELF to encompass truth. This truth is intertwined with our soul and is our connection to a higher power. The SELF can only say, “Yes” and here is where your art is waiting to be created.

Ways to combat the EGO:

1. Look and see what’s in front of you in the present moment
2. Touch and feel what’s in front of you in the present moment
3. Shift your focus to your body. Ask yourself what is my body saying or feeling now?
• A good way to do this is to ask yourself: Can I feel my feet on the ground? Can I feel my bottom on the chair? And then feel it.

Deepak Chopra explains in “Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul” the reason why body awareness is so important is because the body can only tell the truth, whereas the mind specifically the EGO can tell all sorts of lies. Focus on your body puts you in alignment with your SELF. Connecting to your SELF allows your ART to flow.

And the very BEST way to combat the EGO is to Create Yr Art!

Challenge yourself to work on your art every day. Set aside at least 30 minutes, extend the time once you see fit.

Push past the EGO once, twice, three times… and it does get easier.

“When we sit down day after day and keep grinding, something mysterious starts to happen. A process is set into motion by which, inevitably, and infallibly, heaven comes to our aid. Unseen forces enlist in our cause; serendipity reinforces our purpose.”

                        The War of Art by Steven Pressfield