…include Egos, Mental Health and Composers…

World Ego Awareness Day is referenced as, ” an opportunity to spend some time in self-reflection exploring our ego, while simultaneously exploring our experiences with those around us to determine how much of their perceived ego is our own coming into conflict with others.”

The first Ego Awareness Day came into existence in 2018 with the intent of helping those who suffer from an advanced case of egoism learn to deal with the world from a more humble perspective. Egoism has some rather significant effects, including leading to abusive behavior, a blindness to the reality of situations around them, and generally a skewed experience regarding their interactions with other people.

But what does EGO really mean? Is it, as Oxford defines, “a person’s sense of self-esteem or self-importance?”  Or does it go deeper?

In their book, Lead Like Jesus, Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges talk about the two versions of EGO, as an acronym. The self-serving leader and the servant leader both deal with EGO, but in a different way

The self-serving leader’s EGO stands for Edging God Out

  • This EGO happens when you put something else in God’s place, trust someone other than God, and value opinions other than God’s
  • This EGO leads to false pride and fear

The servant leader’s EGO stands for Exalting God Only

  • This EGO happens when you worship God only, depend on God completely, exalt God as your only audience and authority, and know that God is watching you
  • In this EGO, false pride and fear are replaced by humility with God-grounded confidence

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National Mental Health Awareness Month in May focuses on bringing tools, resources, and education to the general public.

Each year Mental Health America, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and other mental health organizations across the country organize events, webinars, and more to improve mental health access across the country.

Mental health is a hot topic. This is good news. It means the stigma for mental health issues is slowly going away. Mental health issues are finally getting the attention they deserve. Healthcare workers and individuals feel they can discuss mental health more openly. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t still work to do, however.

As a whole, we often misunderstand mental health because it is hard to define. Additionally, mental health includes several areas. These areas involve one’s social, emotional, and psychological well-being. Mental health affects thoughts, feelings, and actions. When one has positive mental health, they are better equipped to handle stress, be more productive, and realize their full potential.

While we focus on our physical wellbeing, the food we eat, exercise, and getting regular check-ups for vision and dental care, we often forget to take stock of our emotional and spiritual needs. Everyday demands take their toll.

– I was born on May 11, 1888 in Belarus in the Russian Empire
– I came to the US when I was 5 years old
– I published my first song when I was 19 and was paid 33 cents for the rights
– I owned the Music Box Theatre in New York City
– I wrote my first ballad, called ‘When I Lost You,” as a tribute to my first wife, who died 6 months after we were married
– I am most known for Blue Skies, Puttin’ on the Ritz, God Bless America, and White Christmas
– In 1934, Time Magazine called me ‘an American institution.’

I am…Irving Berlin. Congratulations to Linda from Gambier, who guessed correctly and wins the WNZR drawstring backpack and Our Daily Bread devotionals.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Brogan