Chapter 35
THE DANGEROUS EGO
In the last chapter, I explained how my decision to follow the guidance of my ego destroyed my radio career. It’s easy to become “too big for our britches” once we reach a certain level of success or mastery in a particular field. In my mind, I had built that radio station into a success over the seven years I was there. I deserved to be respected. I don’t have to take this! I. I. I.
Girl, you know I … I … I. (Some folks will get that.) :]
Even though there was plenty of evidence to suggest that I was “right” about my position, there was a better way to go about handling the situation. However, the ego crept in. The ego always wants to be “right.” The ego always wants to “prove points.” The ego always has to “look good.”
Following the guidance of the ego usually leads to destruction.
Even as I type this, I’m conflicted about whether or not I should’ve explained “my position,” in regards to how the radio station and I parted ways. Part of me thinks, That’s just your ego talking. Your ego just wants to prove its point. Your ego just wants to be right.
On the other hand, I think it’s important for the reader to understand the details of the situation, so they can better comprehend how the ego crept in. Part of me thinks, You simply explained everything that happened. You’re not bashing your former employer. You even said you understand that it wasn’t anything personal; it was just business. Now you’re in the “business” of helping other people identify—and avoid—falling victim to the temptations of their own egos, so this is just “business,” too.
Or was that the ego talking?
What happens when your ego slips in the backdoor? What happens when you’re not making outrageous “ego decisions” like I did my final night on air? What happens when you’re in a position like I am now, where I have the option to explain the situation involving my “break-up” with the radio industry?
Only you can make that determination. Overall, you have to determine what’s most important. Will your decision to follow the “backdoor ego-whispers” affect the lives of others in positive ways? Or will your decision to follow the ego only benefit yourself? Is your decision rooted in truth and love? Or is your decision rooted in deception and hate?
In this example, I know my decision is rooted in truth and love. I’ve explained the truth of the situation, regarding how the negotiation process became ugly. I’ve reached out to the bosses that were affected by the situation, offering my apologies and forgiveness. They chose to not respond. Therefore, they’re responsible for that non-forgiveness and the negative karma that it creates. I offered love; they chose to not accept it. A better response would have been: “Thanks for the books, and although we don’t choose to pursue a working relationship, we respect your attempt to resolve any hard feelings. We wish you the best in the future.”
So now I move to the “bigger picture.” I choose (in love) to use this experience to help you understand the dangers of following the guidance of the ego. Following the guidance of my ego caused me to lose my radio career—even though I had valid points. You see, the part of me that just chose to write “even though I had valid points” was the ego talking. The ego always wants to be “right.”
*END OF SAMPLE*
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