Do you remember seeing a cartoon that showed a devil with his pitchfork on one shoulder and the Angel with his halo and wings on the other shoulder? Most of us have seen it in many cartoons like Fat Albert, Tom and Jerry, The Simpsons, and many more.
It’s how I illustrate the difference between our ego and our essence. It’s how I describe being open with your heart, mind, and body and being closed. It’s an illustration that resonates with most. The image of that cartoon stuck in our heads. It stuck because somewhere deep down we related to it.
Every day and all day long we make unconscious decisions based on our ego. The ego never sleeps.
“Ego. It’s a tiny little word with humongous power.In our society, we assign so many misbehaviors and misdeeds to the all-powerful ego that we might be excused for thinking we’re not actually in control of our actions-we’re all just slaves to our egos. The social psychologist Elliot Aronson argues that our ego is always at work trying to maintain a consistent, justifiable place in the world. It is laboring to justify everything we do, to prove that we have a role here, that we belong. “ Disruptive Thinking ~ T.D. Jakes
When most think of ego they think of arrogance but ego is much deeper than appearance, image, or relating to our security. The unhealthy ego consistently tells us lies. It implements fear, insecurities, anxiety, worry, mental chatter, ruminating, and keeping us up at night. If that’s not enough it’s emotionally reactive, which brings in depression, sadness, shame, and narcissism just to name a few. And where does the need to control come from? The ego. I could go on and on but anything that thinks or feels bad, closed, unhealthy you can sure bet that is the ego in the form of a cartoon devil standing on your shoulder to tell you something not true.
Let’s remember we do have a real role here and it’s to help each other not hurt each other. Wear your halo proudly and don’t get stuck with the pitchfork. How are the angel and devil showing up on your shoulders daily?
Dealing to Healing 