Too often, convinced of our own intelligence, we stay in a comfort zone that ensures that we never feel stupid (and are never challenged to learn or reconsider what we know). It obscures from view various weaknesses in our understanding, until eventually it’s too late to change course. This is where the silent toll is taken.
Each of us faces a threat as we pursue our craft. Like sirens on the rocks, ego sings a soothing, validating song— which can lead to a wreck. The second we let the ego tell us we have graduated, learning grinds to a halt. That’s why Frank Shamrock said, “Always stay a student.” As in, it never ends.
~ Ryan Holiday, excerpt from his new book “Ego is the Enemy” published June, 2016.
Notes:
- Quote Source: Farnam Street Blog: “Ego is the Enemy: The Legend of Genghis Khan”
- Photo / Mixed Media titled “Which One” by Hossein Zare (via Hidden Sanctuary)

this is so very true –
very true 🙂
ladders lead to clouds
floating and will shower too 🙂
Sun showers!
🙂
very wise words…so true.
And it keeps life interesting and well worth living!
Yes. It certainly does.
I needed to read this today. I’m starting nurmerous projects and feeling scared. I want to hide in the familiar, the easy, the known.
Glad to do my little part to help you (and help myself). Thanks for sharing Elizabeth.
Good morning! Great photos to wake up too. I’ll be on the look out for ego today 😎
Keep an eye out for it. It’s sneaky.
It’s good to know another day brings a new beginning ❣
Thanks goodness for the chance.
Embrace it. It works wonders 💕
Great, enjoyed the full article as well.
Thank you for posting that too.
Yes, it was a great article. Thanks Sawsan.
Damn egos. They should be removed from all politicians.
(And us)
Needed this Truth as I process/judge a love relationship. Everything I think I know about Love needs to be expanded, rebranded & challenged.
I suggest they make this required reading in every law school!
And business school!
“This is where the silent toll is taken” l love his choice of truthful, words…I feel that one must always keep striving and for me being a like time learner is part of being a work in progress…// the image is interesting…the different heights of the ladders, somewhat, telling…
Yes, the bell rings…
I can’t tell you how going out to Washington this spring to explore art journaling (when I expected not to like it), has blown open my creative universe. Ok. I feel a blog post forming…
So glad for you! And for us.
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