Ego,Badges,Instant Gratification, Significance:Yes or No?

Reflections: This Week's Thoughts - Ego, Badges, Instant Gratification, Feeling of Significance. Resource or Obstacle?

Greetings, Dear Readers,

In this week's edition of "Reflections,"I will talk about a topic that hopefully will resonate with each of you, no matter where you are in life - the pursuit of admiration and the quest for significance.

Live is a colorful journey, and this week i was thinking a lot about ego, badges, instant gratification, and the desire to feel of significant.

Are these factors in our life resources that drive us forward, or are the obstacles on our path inspiring us to self-discovery and true happiness?

I have spent a 25 years of my life as a competitive dancer. For me the desire for recognition and importance is something I experienced in various aspects of my life. Not just dancing, i was a debating champion, i went to several school competitions and lets just admit I grow up, i had been nurtured to be an over achiever.

The pursuit of success, the joy of winning, and the glow of ego - these feelings can be incredibly addictive. I would train diligently 4 to 5 times a week, compete and perform tirelessly almost every weekend, and then swim in the glory of victory. The applause, the cheers, made me hooked on the exhilaration of winning.

But Losing, was a different story altogether. The sting of defeat, the feeling of shame, the : "What did I do Wrong"and the desire to hide away from the world were powerful emotions.

Although, after the first devastation these feelings quickly transformed into a powerful source of motivation, it was a much more powerful and enduring source than the my wins, and sitting on my glory. They fueled my hunger for growth, the belief that I can improve, become better, and be stronger.

Today, I am not competing anymore, but the craving for admiration and significance stayed with me and as i got hooked on it already once its not easy to fall back and get hooked again.

Just this time its not coming from real achievements, it sneaks into my life uninvited in the form of likes, comments, badges, and awards on social media.

This revelation may not be unique, as many of us can likely relate. The digital age has brought with it a new set of badges and trophies, albeit virtual, triggering feelings of accomplishment and fake self-worth, with no strong core behind.

So my question is - what if I don't care? What if we say no to what our ego desires? It's a challenging task, given that our society celebrates the loud, the immediate, and the flashy. The quest for badges and labels often takes over humility and authenticity.

I believe in the power of awareness. This awareness is the first step toward breaking free from the chains of ego-driven aspirations.

The solution I found for my life is simple - I do my best, I aim to win, but I do it with humility. I embrace losses as learning opportunities, rather than sources of embarrassment. I celebrate my achievements, but don't expect the world to celebrate me for it.

Our obsession with badges, labels, and instant gratification can have serious consequences. Social anxiety, mental health issues, breakdowns, burnouts, and even tragic instances of suicide can result from the desperate pursuit of ego-driven goals. Rather than feeding our egos and building a fragile core, the call is to be real, authentic, and genuinely grateful for the gift of life.

In conclusion, the message is clear - live, love, and be kind always. True freedom lies in breaking free from the chains of ego and embracing a life where significance is found not in external validation, but in the joy of living and the kindness we extend to ourselves and others.

Signing off, by wishing you to find your way of handling your ego and make this consciously chosen action be part of your daily routine.

Wishing you a weekend filled with reflection and genuine self-discovery,

THE BOOK PROJECT-Stay Tuned

Thank you for subscribing and for being patient for me to be ready to have real value to share. I appreciate you.

Andrea Zsapka

The Dancing Economist - Dare to Dance your Way & MAKEITHAPPEN