Me, my, mine? We tend to use these words generously. I first became aware of these patterns in MY-self and decided to start by observing when, how often and in relation to what I was using these simple, yet powerful words. It showed me that it was A LOT! and it was happening in all areas of MY life. I started bringing awareness of how I could use other words to express something very similar and if I would respond differently. I observed that by saying "the car" instead of my car I sort of (over time) became less attached to the car. Another example is my computer. I noticed I was even saying "well, in MY world or in "MY life". That is kind of bizarre and interesting all at once, why do we even say that? Like I have MY own world and "MY own life"? Is it not true that we are all ONE? Further, we tend to say "MY plans", "MY food", "MY country", MY feelings, MY problems, MY fault, MY husband/wife/partner... That is MINE!!! The ego likes to create a world around itself in the shape of ME, MY MINE. It takes ownership of everything and anything and thrives on defining and compartmentalizes whenever it gets the chance. Wherever you let it. It even says "MY personality" (this is whom I am) and tries to hang on to it whenever it smells change on the horizon. That is how it feels safe. What this really does is create attachment, fear of loss and imaginary walls. Over time, we start to think that we are those things, that emotion or even that relationship. And without it we lose something; we are no longer whole. It separates us from the truth that is we are all one. Crazy huh?
I AM NOT MY INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT
I noticed that by eliminating the words mine, my and me wherever I could, in any area, I even experimented with saying the Instagram account instead of MY Instagram account, I naturally created a lighter environment. I feel less identification and need to get something, like attention in the form of likes or any form of approval. We can do the same with emotions. We tend to say "you hurt MY feelings" instead of just seeing that these feelings are just passion through us and we don't need to identify with them and cling to them. I wonder sometimes if when we cry its rooted in fear of letting go of (loosing) that emotion? I am not saying that we should get stuck on the level of words, because after all, words and languages are all man made up. Yet, I do think our language is a reflection of the society we live in and we tend to use words that are related to the current status quo. With that said, It’s quite cool that we can bring attention to how the words are used and how that affects us. We are all different so its going to be different responses and observations. Drop a comment if you want, I am curious to hear your finds of inner awareness