The ego is such a strange thing.

It has an uncomfortably powerful ability to change the tiniest thing into far more than it’s worth. It is fueled by success, validation and acceptance. When it gets these things, we believe ourselves all-powerful, but when it doesn’t, we can feel almost sub-human.

The ego skews our interpretation of reality into extremes of emotional highs and lows.

This is something I’ve been paying more attention to lately, trying to notice the subtle signals before it rears its ugly head.

The problem with the ego is that it’s clever. It doesn’t give off obvious signs. It lurks in the shadows before pouncing and sending your unconscious mood into chaos.

Still, with practice, it’s possible to calm its power — to ignore that inner voice — and to reduce its control over our emotions.

Or so I’ve heard…