Your ego can stand in the way of your growth

Once, there was a donkey that lived in a temple on top of a mountain, where he had to work hard in a mill every day.

Over time, he became so tired of his dull life that he started to dream of going out to see the world instead of working. How wonderful that would be! Soon enough, an opportunity came along. A monk wanted to use the donkey to carry something down the mountain. The donkey was very excited.

After reaching the bottom of the mountain, the monk placed something on the donkey’s back. As they walked through the village, people on both sides of the street knelt down to the donkey. 

The donkey did not know what to do, so he decided to try to avoid the people. However, that did not stop them from worshiping the donkey. Slowly, the donkey’s ego became inflated: “Wow!  People really think I am someone important!”

Thus, he walked in the middle of the road and put on an arrogant air, with his head held high and a straight back.

Once the donkey returned to the temple, he thought that he should live like nobility, and he refused to do any harder work. So, the monks had no other choice but to let him go.

When he got back down the mountain, the donkey saw a group of people beating drums and gongs far away. He thought: “People are coming to welcome me.” He stood in the middle of the road and waited, but the people turned out to be in a wedding procession.

When they saw a donkey blocking their way, they were very angry and beat him with sticks and clubs to make him move.

The donkey fled back to the temple in a hurry. Injured from the beating, the donkey told the monk indignantly: “People are so unpredictable and dangerous.

Last time, they worshiped me, but today they wanted to kill me.” The monk sighed, saying: “You are a dumb ass! People did not worship you last time; they knelt down to the Statue on your back, not you!!”

Ego can make you project wrong image

Understand that ego is not your real self: Ego has a unique power of tagging you with a false confidence of being who you are not. With time you believe you are who your ego projects you to be. When you fall prey to your ego, it can easily create obstacles to your personal growth.

Do not take your ego seriously: The foundation of ego is built on insecurity, false confidence and expectations. When you do not manage your ego, your insecurities, over/ under confidence can stand between you and others, thus creating obstacles in your relations.

Believe in being honest: Know who you are, what you are capable of and what your strengths are. The day you are honest with yourself, you automatically exude honesty in thoughts, action & deeds. Then you become bigger than your ego and stay grounded.