Picture this: You're in a conversation with someone you care about, and suddenly it transforms into a debate. Both parties dig in their heels, each determined to prove their point. Even if you "win" this verbal sparring match, what have you really gained? More often than not, these victories leave us feeling more distant and disconnected from the people we care about.
I recently encountered a profound definition of ego that shifted my perspective: "Ego is Edging God Out." When we become attached to being right, we leave no room for anything greater than ourselves. It's as if we're declaring, "I have all the answers; I need nothing else to navigate life." This mindset not only closes us off from divine guidance but also from the richness of other perspectives and the possibility of growth.
Think about how many times you've changed your mind as you've matured or gained new information. How many times have you adamantly declared something as truth, only to hold a completely different view years later? We've all been wrong—a lot. So why do we try so hard to be right?
This need for rightness often stems from the ego's protective mechanism. We attach our sense of worth to being right: If I'm right, I'm smart, I'm worthy, I'm good. The prospect of being wrong feels threatening because it might make us feel vulnerable or inadequate. But what if being wrong isn't the catastrophe we imagine it to be?
Instead of approaching conversations with a need to defend our stance, what if we embraced curiosity? What if, when faced with a differing viewpoint, we simply asked, "Tell me more about why you feel that way?" This shift from confrontation to curiosity can be transformative in our relationships and personal growth.
Being right doesn't actually change anything meaningful. You might win the argument, but at what cost? True power lies in being open—in creating space for new perspectives, deeper understanding, and genuine connection. It's about having the security to say, "I don't have all the answers, and that's okay."
I heard a great spiritual teacher say that we should aim to transcend all beliefs, as they will ultimately become limitations. I believe this is a powerful concept that challenges us to move beyond the rigid structures of right and wrong, into a space of openness and possibility.
The next time you feel that familiar urge to defend your position, pause and ask yourself: "Is this about connection, or is this about my ego needing to be right?" If it's the latter, try taking a different approach. Choose curiosity over certainty. Choose understanding over winning. Choose connection over being right.
Because at the end of the day, it's not about being right—it's about being open to what's possible. And in that openness, we find the true path to growth, understanding, and meaningful connection.
Stay Inspired!
Maggie - The Inspired Coach
