Ego
i've done my almost
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,934
Ego
Ego. What was once so important to me I know consider a bad word.
My ego kept me drinking for much longer than I wanted and I see it as a major roadblock in recovery.
You see, alcohol allowed me to feel greater than, instead of feeling less than.
Getting over what I thought I knew about myself, about life, and about you, and getting over my ego was paramount in my recovery.
When I seperate myself from you, I cheat myself out of what real life is. I become apart from, instead of a part of.
Is your ego getting in the way of your recovery? If so, is it worth it?
Kjell~
ego
the “I” or self of any person; a person as thinking, feeling, and willing, and distinguishing itself from the selves of others and from objects of its thought.
My ego kept me drinking for much longer than I wanted and I see it as a major roadblock in recovery.
You see, alcohol allowed me to feel greater than, instead of feeling less than.
Getting over what I thought I knew about myself, about life, and about you, and getting over my ego was paramount in my recovery.
When I seperate myself from you, I cheat myself out of what real life is. I become apart from, instead of a part of.
Is your ego getting in the way of your recovery? If so, is it worth it?
Kjell~
ego
the “I” or self of any person; a person as thinking, feeling, and willing, and distinguishing itself from the selves of others and from objects of its thought.
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 4,682
I always thought that Ego meant false self within certain parameters e.g. showing off, acting out etc...
Then i found out that Ego really means the "person" that i have created through my experiences, envirnoment and conditioning and that is not really me...so Ego, to me, does mean false self but every part of that false self...
Then i found out that Ego really means the "person" that i have created through my experiences, envirnoment and conditioning and that is not really me...so Ego, to me, does mean false self but every part of that false self...
i've done my almost
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Atlanta, GA
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Originally Posted by yeahgr8 
I always thought that Ego meant false self within certain parameters e.g. showing off, acting out etc...
Then i found out that Ego really means the "person" that i have created through my experiences, envirnoment and conditioning and that is not really me...so Ego, to me, does mean false self but every part of that false self...
Then i found out that Ego really means the "person" that i have created through my experiences, envirnoment and conditioning and that is not really me...so Ego, to me, does mean false self but every part of that false self...
Kjell~
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Join Date: Feb 2009
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Life has taught me that I do not know everything. And going to AA taught me that I am not unique or alone in my problems. I literally heard myself reflected back to me. What was nerves at my first meeting turned into a feeling of bonding and belonging.
I think it's okay however to have a few boundaries. Day to day we're exposed to many interactions, not all of them healthy, we have to be able to protect our own space sometimes and be able to let go. Am talking here in a spiritual sense I guess as I studied Eastern philosophy a bit. We are individuals and have our own personalities, though part of the same human condition and of equal value. But I know what you're talking about with regard to recovery as I was stuck there myself for a long time, center of my own universe etc.
I think it's okay however to have a few boundaries. Day to day we're exposed to many interactions, not all of them healthy, we have to be able to protect our own space sometimes and be able to let go. Am talking here in a spiritual sense I guess as I studied Eastern philosophy a bit. We are individuals and have our own personalities, though part of the same human condition and of equal value. But I know what you're talking about with regard to recovery as I was stuck there myself for a long time, center of my own universe etc.
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 645
Kjell,
The thing about ego and self is that I cannot defeat either of them. Ego can't smash ego. Self can't reduce self. If ego deflation and reduction of self are to occur, then it is going to have to happen based upon God's power and doing.
What I can do, however, is take the actions asked of me by the steps and it is as a result of submitting myself to that process that God can act to change me. It is God that removes the self and the self-will that is blocking me off from Him. I can't do that.
Susan
The thing about ego and self is that I cannot defeat either of them. Ego can't smash ego. Self can't reduce self. If ego deflation and reduction of self are to occur, then it is going to have to happen based upon God's power and doing.
What I can do, however, is take the actions asked of me by the steps and it is as a result of submitting myself to that process that God can act to change me. It is God that removes the self and the self-will that is blocking me off from Him. I can't do that.
Susan
i've done my almost
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Originally Posted by susanlauren
What I can do, however, is take the actions asked of me by the steps and it is as a result of submitting myself to that process that God can act to change me. It is God that removes the self and the self-will that is blocking me off from Him. I can't do that.
Kjell~
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 4,682
Originally Posted by susanlauren
Kjell,
The thing about ego and self is that I cannot defeat either of them. Ego can't smash ego. Self can't reduce self. If ego deflation and reduction of self are to occur, then it is going to have to happen based upon God's power and doing.
What I can do, however, is take the actions asked of me by the steps and it is as a result of submitting myself to that process that God can act to change me. It is God that removes the self and the self-will that is blocking me off from Him. I can't do that.
Susan
The thing about ego and self is that I cannot defeat either of them. Ego can't smash ego. Self can't reduce self. If ego deflation and reduction of self are to occur, then it is going to have to happen based upon God's power and doing.
What I can do, however, is take the actions asked of me by the steps and it is as a result of submitting myself to that process that God can act to change me. It is God that removes the self and the self-will that is blocking me off from Him. I can't do that.
Susan
Growing spiritually, which obviously includes "dealing" with Ego, is the most worthwhile thing i have ever done...i think, if i remember right, it the first "wow i never looked at it that way, that makes sense" moment whilst going through the steps that really hooked me on finding out as much as i could and acting on it...to finally be able to see really is a gift isn't it:-)
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 645
YeahGr8,
I can completely relate to the getting hooked part. It has been "hook, line and sinker" for me. Apparently this thing is a package deal, and I don't get to decide what comes with the package. I just wanted sobriety, relief from the mental obsessions and some semblance of peace and sanity in my life. I thought I was working the steps, but it turns out that the steps were working me. What I am getting is an entirely new life and a design for life that is a solution for every question I have ever had. I would have settled for so much less than what my Higher Power had/has in store for me.
Susan
I can completely relate to the getting hooked part. It has been "hook, line and sinker" for me. Apparently this thing is a package deal, and I don't get to decide what comes with the package. I just wanted sobriety, relief from the mental obsessions and some semblance of peace and sanity in my life. I thought I was working the steps, but it turns out that the steps were working me. What I am getting is an entirely new life and a design for life that is a solution for every question I have ever had. I would have settled for so much less than what my Higher Power had/has in store for me.
Susan
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Yes, definitely, Kjell.
I didn't realize how my ego controlled my life, and in a bad way. It was constantly running tapes through my mind about how I was different, and as you said separate from others. My ego constantly focused on the differences between me and everyone else. Thank goodness I now feel so much apart of the whole. It has changed my perspective in how I see the people around me.
I didn't realize how my ego controlled my life, and in a bad way. It was constantly running tapes through my mind about how I was different, and as you said separate from others. My ego constantly focused on the differences between me and everyone else. Thank goodness I now feel so much apart of the whole. It has changed my perspective in how I see the people around me.
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 4,682
Originally Posted by Anna
Yes, definitely, Kjell.
I didn't realize how my ego controlled my life, and in a bad way. It was constantly running tapes through my mind about how I was different, and as you said separate from others. My ego constantly focused on the differences between me and everyone else. Thank goodness I now feel so much apart of the whole. It has changed my perspective in how I see the people around me.
I didn't realize how my ego controlled my life, and in a bad way. It was constantly running tapes through my mind about how I was different, and as you said separate from others. My ego constantly focused on the differences between me and everyone else. Thank goodness I now feel so much apart of the whole. It has changed my perspective in how I see the people around me.
It's so cool to be able to focus on the similarities rather than the differences now and there are loads of routes to take that as far as you want...putting down the drink is just the beginning!
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: dayton, oh
Posts: 487
When I realized that I didn't have to be what everybody's else's egos wanted me to be I felt great. But when I decided I didn't have to be what my ego told me I should be, I was free.
The change I went through after I started studying spirituality, ego and gratitude is like describing who you are- impossible to do with words.
I wish there was more talk about ego in recovery.
SH
The change I went through after I started studying spirituality, ego and gratitude is like describing who you are- impossible to do with words.
I wish there was more talk about ego in recovery.
SH
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