I've recently found my self grateful for our differences, and have found that as hard as relationships can be- there is always an opportunity to learn something about ourselves and always an opportunity to practice our spirituality. It doesn't mean we're always aware, and the word practice is strongly emphasized because it is clear to me very few people are masters at living the life they wish to live. Between rose-colored glasses and heated arguments, it seems there is always a chance for choice.
I am more and more okay with our disagreements Steve, thankful even as I believe it puts a little life in either of us- even if momentarily disappointed in the other, there is a great opportunity in discord and a value that validates the name of this forum. The spiritual portal. My practice doesn't have to be the same as yours, and it doesn't have to meet someone else's standard for reason- for me, it is in recognizing what we deem beautiful and what we deem ugly and cultivating the desired qualities.
To me, Ego is not a bad thing- not something that needs to be treated with disrespect or put in a corner. It is viewed with reverence, understanding we all have one- even Masters have ego's and I am sure through their many incarnations they've learned to curate it, to live in harmony with, towards the desired outcome. In other words, don't be afraid of Ego- it's taking the reins of your life that leads towards self mastery- accepting and eventually, understanding. It helps let go of that which no longer serves us, even if initially we've held on longer than we'd care to admit. It just means there's a lesson that wanted to be learned.
I am happy to receive such a reply. I often think of Amma’s invocation; om lukha samastha sukhinu bhavamtu
