Let Go of Your Ego, Cast Off Your Superficial Mask and be Yourself.

Don't act beyond your ability because you would strain yourself. Don't act like you know when you don't because you would be bewildered and embarrassed.

We always act beyond our ability and at times doing intolerable things that we hate so much all because we want to protect, secure and uphold our ego.

Most people are not nosy in nature but they just have to show some concern because of their ego. Many known married couples have already lost interest in each other, but they still remain together because of their ego. Many people are not wealthy but they would act generously by treating others because of their ego. Many people are afraid that eating gluttonously in public might damage their image and this is also because of their ego. Why can't you just act naturally and be yourself in all these different aspects? This is all because of your ego. Ego can turn man into beast; hence all courteous and polite acts that you have seen might be all superficial.

Two knowledgeable professors were dining together in a restaurant. After their main course, they were served with two cups of coffee and two pieces of handmade cookies. However the cookies were not of the same size as it was handmade, hence Prof Lim politely asked Prof Zhang to savour the cookies first.

Prof Zhang replied: 'Okay thanks! Then I shall dive in!' and he naturally picked the larger cookie. Prof Lim was caught off guard with his obnoxious act and showed disgust by solemnly replying: 'I thought you're very well educated! You are extremely rude; you don't know a thing about basic manners!'

Prof Zhang smiled and asked: 'You said I was being rude, so if I would to let you pick first, which cookie would you pick?'

Prof Lim replied: 'I'm a well-educated knowledgeable man, so I'll definitely pick the smaller one.'

Prof Zhang smiled and replied: 'Didn't you get what you want? So what's the fuss now?'

When you are strong on the outside, you are weak on the inside, because you have to disguise your true self. However, if you are soft and flexible on the outside, you would be strong on the inside. Cast off your superficial mask as you would be able to get rid of the superficial acts in life and be your true self.