#405 – Do you want true freedom?  Stop working for your Ego

You know how the Mafia works: "I'll make him an offer he can't refuse," etc. That's exactly what your Ego does to you. "If you follow my advice, you'll always be safe. Under my protection, you'll have nothing to worry about," it tells you, wringing its greedy hands.

BS, of course. Safe? Maybe. But free? Uh-uh!

If you've ever been an employee, you know the trade-offs. The steady paycheck and the other benefits are not for nothing. In exchange, you owe the company your time, your brain, your loyalty.

Like Faust, you give them your heart and soul and they give you the key to "success."

Your Ego runs the same scheme: "toe the line and I'll make you successful." (Note that for your Ego, success equals status and resources, which means the tribe's acceptance).

When an employer fears losing your loyalty, because you're not as obedient as they wish, they threaten you: a forced pay-cut, maybe, or a demotion, ostracism. Until you come back in line. Until they know they own you in full.

That's what my employer did to me. Only I never got back in line––to them, I was indomitable. To me, I refused to surrender my freedom.

When your Ego fears losing your soul, it threatens you: it pokes your confidence––"who do you think you are?" It may fill you with fear, self-hatred, self-pity. Until you go back to nice, and all is good––"good dog," pat-pat.

Refusing to surrender your freedom will trigger your Ego to treat you with vicious contempt. But do it enough times and it'll see you're onto its racket. No more profits to be made from threatening you!

Where in your life will you refuse to surrender your freedom?

Love,

Carolina