Let's get real here for a moment. I bet there are times when you feel like you're not enough or that you have to keep pushing and proving yourself, right? Well, you're not alone. We all feel that way sometimes. It's all part of being human.

This is where the ego comes into play. Now, before you roll your eyes and dismiss the concept, hear me out. When I say 'ego,' I don't mean being egotistical or self-centered. Nope. When we talk about the ego in terms of self leadership and soul embodiment, we're talking about that part(s) of our mind that mediates between the conscious and the unconscious. It's the part that’s responsible for our sense of personal identity.

Have you ever felt like you're living a version of yourself, created by your past, expectations, or even fears? That's where your ego comes into play, and trust me, it's not as scary as it sounds!

You see, our ego isn't some big, bad monster out to ruin our lives. Instead, it's more like a cast of characters living in our heads, each playing a role they believe will keep us safe and happy. Imagine it like a quirky group of actors, all dressed up, playing their parts with passion, all in the name of protecting you.

Let's say you were a kid who was always praised for being the best in class but scolded for the smallest mistakes. To shield you from the pain of criticism, your Inner Perfectionist shows up. Its job? To keep you on your toes, to help you dodge any chance of failure.

Or consider the 'Inner People Pleaser' that comes to life when showing emotions or standing up for yourself is met with disapproval. This character's job is to keep the peace, avoid any form of conflict, all in an attempt to keep you safe and loved.

These characters are the product of our experiences - our ego's survival kit. And while they might seem a little overbearing at times, they're not the villains here. They're just misunderstood heroes, working overtime to protect us. These roles, initially formed for survival, might seem restrictive at times, but they stem from a place of care and concern. They are parts of us trying to protect and serve us, albeit in ways that may not always align with our true needs.

I think one of the biggest misunderstandings we have is this idea that the ego is the bad guy. Like a villain in a movie, it's often blamed for all our troubles, all our negative emotions, and all the conflicts we have. We see it as something to conquer, to overcome, or even to eliminate in order to find our spiritual self.

But, here's the plot twist: The ego isn't the villain of our story; it's more like a misguided friend.

It's a part of us that was formed to help us cope with the complexities of life. Think about it like your own personal survival guide. It’s the voice inside us that says, "Don’t do that, you might get hurt," or "Try harder, you need to be perfect to be loved," or "Don’t say no, you need to please everyone." It takes on roles like the 'Inner Critic,' 'Inner Perfectionist,' and 'Inner People Pleaser.'

Does it sometimes steer us in the wrong direction? Absolutely. But that's because it's working from outdated scripts, formed when we were younger and less equipped to deal with life. It’s trying to protect us based on our past experiences, fears, and learned behaviors.

The ego is not our enemy. It's a part of our consciousness that has been misunderstood and often not properly addressed. But it's there to serve a purpose. Once we understand it, we can start working with it, not against it.

We all have moments when we feel overwhelmed or upset. These are signals that one of our ego characters might be scared or hurt. These moments give us a chance to explore what's going on inside and heal.

Now, it's time to dive into our inner world, to understand our ego's cast of characters, their fears, and strengths. This isn't a battle against our ego; it's about understanding, empathy, and acceptance. It's about meeting all these aspects of our consciousness with love.

When we approach our ego with this understanding and empathy, we start to transform our relationship with it. It goes from being a perceived scary monster under the bed to a part of us that we can work with and integrate. It becomes an ally, helping us to uncover our true self, our soul.

In this light, the ego isn’t an enemy but a valuable companion on our spiritual and emotional journey. Its presence prompts us to grow, to heal, and to evolve.

By doing this, we heal old wounds, transform our relationship with ourselves, and move towards emotional healing. We shed the need for the masks and begin to embrace the richness of our inner world.

Listening to your inner voice, even amidst the ego's chatter, allows you to live in alignment with your true self. This spiritual and emotional awakening brings you closer to a life that reflects your deepest desires.

The key to harmonizing with our ego lies in understanding its language and motivation. It's about acknowledging these characters, these roles it takes on. It's about listening to the 'Inner Perfectionist' or the 'Inner People Pleaser,' and saying, "I see you. I understand why you're here, and I appreciate you. But we're safe now, and we can handle this differently."

This understanding allows us to revise these outdated scripts. We can begin to rewrite them with love, compassion, and wisdom. As we do this, we open up a dialogue with our ego, transforming its roles from fearful protectors to loving supporters.

So next time you find yourself struggling with a decision or facing emotional turmoil, remember: Your ego isn't the enemy. It's just an old friend, trying its best to protect you based on the rules it learned long ago. Approach it with love and patience, rewrite the scripts it's working from, and embrace the profound growth and self-understanding that comes from this inner dialogue.

Now, you might be thinking, "Okay, but how do I actually do this, Ashli?" Well, let's walk through a simple exercise together.

1. Imagine you're in a comfy, quiet place, and no one's around to disturb you. Close your eyes and take a few deep, relaxing breaths. Picture a place that feels safe and soothing to you, maybe a lush garden, a quiet forest, or a cozy room.

2. Next, think about a situation that recently upset you or a behavior you'd like to understand better. It could be that nagging voice that always criticizes you, your constant need to make everyone happy, or that pressure you put on yourself to be perfect.

3. Now, invite that part of your ego to join you in your safe space. Visualize it, give it a form – it could be a person, an animal, a symbol, anything that feels right.

4. Start a chat with this ego part. Ask it questions like "Why are you here?", "What's your role?", or "How are you trying to help me?". Listen and acknowledge what it has to say.

5. Then, share your wish to live a more soul-aligned life and ask how you can work together in a better way.

This journey of understanding and integrating our ego isn't something you'll perfect overnight. It's a journey, one that takes time, patience, and often guidance. It's okay if you don't get clear answers right away or feel lost sometimes. The goal is to open a dialogue with your ego parts, start a process of understanding, and work towards integration.

Remember, you don't have to take this journey alone. As a soul coach, I’m here to help guide you along this path. I offer sessions that incorporate a unique blend of energy healing, parts exploration, inner child healing, and more. These sessions are designed to help you navigate the landscape of your inner world and work towards living a life that resonates with your true essence.

Perhaps you feel called to embark on this transformative journey, but you're not sure where to start or if we would be a good fit. That's completely okay. Why don't we start with a connection call? This will be a chance for us to get to know each other, discuss your needs and expectations, and see if we could make a great team on your journey towards self-understanding and emotional healing.

Embrace the opportunity to transform your life by understanding and aligning with your inner world. Take the first step today towards becoming self-led and soul embodied. Click here to schedule your connection call.

Remember, this is not about aiming for perfection, but about seeking authenticity, wholeness, and soul-aligned living. Let's embark on this incredible ride together!