Ego can destroy relationship. It works by taking over the better version of yourself and make you think you're better, smarter, wiser than others. When someone tells you something your ego doesn't want to hear, it will make you unable to digest the information with a clear mind and you end up either hating that person (although what he or she said may be true) or you end up blaming yourself too harshly.
It is always good to check yourself. When something happens that leaves you feeling shabby, ask yourself: is it your feeling or your ego that is hurt? I find most of the time when I feel bad or upset about something, it is actually my ego that is bruised. And the moment I can discern that, the easier it is for me to let go and put things back in perspective.
I think it is easier for people now to spoil themselves. Social medias feed people's need of attention, entitlement and affirmation, all things which, if real, must be earned. You can get recognition simply from posting things, and people don't often check whether it's valid, true, or important. It can be just funny and even stupid, but if you keep doing this, you still get acknowledgement. And the more of these you get, the bigger your ego can grow.
Hanya Yanagihara's wrote in her book called "A Little Life" which I find precious:
"...the only trick of friendship, I think, is to find people who are better than you are - not smarter, not cooler, but kinder, and more generous, and more forgiving - and then to appreciate them for what they can teach you, and to try to listen to them when they tell you something about yourself, no matter how bad - or good - it might be, and to trust them, which is the hardest thing of all. But the best, as well."
In this era of virtual connection where everything can be fake and used to blow up your ego, it's always good to keep people in your life whom you can trust to tell you right in the face whenever you screw up or when you do something totally despicable. Why? Firstly, because they will keep your feet on the ground. And secondly, when your ego is so crushed that you can't stand up, they will also be the ones who pick you up on and help you get back on your feet.
