Let the Ego Go

Rabbi M. M. Schneerson, "Spiritual Leader of World Jewry"
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"Let the Ego Go" by soule:
If we're ever to accomplish anything worthy during our lifetime, it's time to recognize that we need to let go of the Ego. Ego is a powerful force. It drives us, compels us, can blind us and bind us and consume us if we let it. Eventually, if left unchecked, destroy us. There is nothing wrong with seeking to make one's life better, to reach for the stars, to set lofty goals. This is America and this is called freedom to make our own decisions (free will). But when Ego gets so powerful and so all-consuming that it is now Master of one's soul, having triumphed in trumping the individual, when Ego is only concerned with ITS own self-interests, this is where we can run headlong into problems. Ego in this country is on a mission. I believe it is destroying our religious beliefs, our families, relationships and this country's infrastructure. Marriage vows, honesty, compassion and Truth have been thrown under the bus. Congress is a good example of one gigantic Ego Trip. But let's not forget ordinary, hard-working men and women who are so consumed by their haste to get ahead, workaholics continuing to put their job first and family/relationships second. Many times these people wind up with failed marriages, mental anguish, having affairs, turning to alcohol and drugs. The structure that once held everything together, marriage and the family unit is now immeasurably harmed or permanently destroyed. This slow "eating away" at the underbelly of this country can take place over a period of years or can happen much more quickly, leaving us to wonder "what has happened???" America has replaced virtue with success. We are now a success-desperate society that has lost its way. Our frantic longing for "success" is killing us. When are we going to wake up, look around and realize that we brought children into this world? That when we stood at the altar, we made a vow "to love and cherish till death do us part". When we looked each other in the eyes we repeated these words..."Together, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health". It seems we've gotten this twisted around. The Death part seems to be coming at us first. Shouldn't we be taking a hard look at returning to G-d's principles...the Ten Commandments, The Noahide Laws, which I believe apply to all of us. It's a roadmap for success all laid out for us but no one is paying attention. We've made some gains on putting this country back on the road to fiscal sanity, albeit very tiny, but it's a start. But now our biggest commitment should be getting our own, personal, priorities straight...taking time for G-d, family and relationships. And thanking Him for His many blessings. Finding comfort in the simplest of things that He has provided for us. Everything else can take a back seat.