Looked it up today and realized I truly didn't know what it meant. Today I will start working towards change. Today I will stay sober.
e·go [ee-goh, eg-oh] Show IPA noun, plural e·gos. 1. 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. 2. Psychoanalysis . the part of the psychic apparatus that experiences and reacts to the outside world and thus mediates between the primitive drives of the id and the demands of the social and physical environment. 3. egotism; conceit; self-importance: Her ego becomes more unbearable each day. 4. self-esteem or self-image; feelings: Your criticism wounded his ego. 5. ( often initial capital letter ) Philosophy . a. the enduring and conscious element that knows experience. b. Scholasticism . the complete person comprising both body and soul.
Some one here has mentioned/implied to me, on a few occasions since I've been here (more than 3 times and less than 150 we'll say), that I MIGHT have an INCREDIBLY large EGO! That person who shall remain nameless, (who's name starts with a D, and ends with an N), and who is very very wise in this program, and I'm guessing otherwise, has been trying to pound this into my head for some 3 months now, and I finally looked up the definition today. I actually didn't know what it meant. I thought it had more to do with simply arrogance, and thinking I was better than everyone else. That it couldn't apply to me thinking I was worse than everyone else. So I'm posting the definition. The last line sure describes taking that drink!
Thanks for being here for me.
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Thanks for everything. Peace and Love on your journey.
Thanks Tasha. EGO- Edging God Out. I, Self, Me. Self- Centeredness, Selfishness that we think is the root of our problem. Fueled by hundreds of forms of Fears. The alcoholic mind says, it's all about ME- could be bad, good or indifferent.
The balance for me is humility. Just being an equal today. Not superior nor inferior to others. Recognizing I'm good at some things and some not so much. To be open, teachable and patient, that I don't know it all and to walk through the fear to not make assumptions, but ask questions and gain clarity.
I can't do this alone. I'm an alcoholic who without help is screwed.
I was thinking the same exact thing as Mike above. Most of us come into AA with the "egomaniac with a inferiority complex" thing.
It's good to know we have ego issues, but of course self knowlege availed us nothing. We can't really work on getting the ego in line, what we do is work the steps which helps us get into unselfishness and humility and in doing so, out of ego.
I know the Big Book mentions the term "egocentric" but I can't remember where. Can anyone help?
Peace,
Rob
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Rob
"There ain't no Coupe DeVille hiding in the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box."