My new BFF!

That's right - you heard me - I have a new BFF...a new Best Friend Forever.

His name is Leo.

You may have seen Leo and I hanging out at the mall drinking our Orange Julius, or cruising the strip at night - hanging out in the Taco Bell parking lot after hours.

Did you see us?

No...maybe not? Yeah, that's kind of weird.

Actually, my new best friend is imaginary.

Wait a minute - that's even more weird.

Okay, let me explain. I have been dealing with a lot of ego recently. And by a lot of ego, I mean my own. It has been showing up in lots of ways - in different areas - and I don't like it. It has effected the way I have thought about relationships - and at different times it has kept me in a funk.

For me, ego is my worst enemy. When I think of ego, I am basically meaning anything in my life that I have attached to my identity based on past experiences (including accomplishments or failures), possessions, and physical appearance.

You may be thinking to yourself - isn't that everything?

Without our possessions, past experiences, or physical identity...who are we?

Man I ask great questions ;)

Well, for different people the answer is going to be different. Based on spiritual or religious preference alone - that will greatly effect "who" you are without your ego.

For me, when my ego is out of the way - I am fully present as an expression of Love's qualities. Now, Love to me is my concept of God, but not in an anthropomorphic sense. No big guy in the sky - but rather a Divine Presence, the One intelligence - the one and only Truth.

So what am I?

I am the expression of this one Truth, this One Love. So, that has nothing to do with my appearance, body, ideas, car, bank account, trophies, accolades, or failures. It has nothing to do with how my parents treated me (good or bad), what school I went to, or what other people think about me. It doesn't even have anything to do with my emotions.

As an expression, I know that my only job is to "be." To be present in every moment. Not sweating over the past or fearing the future, but just knowing that who I am is changeless and constant as the expression of Perfection.

Mary Baker Eddy describes it better in Science and Health when she says, "Man is the expression of God's being. If there ever was a moment when man did not express the divine perfection, then there was a moment when man did not express God, and consequently a time when Deity was unexpressed--that is, without entity."

In this consciousness, "my" feelings can't be hurt by others, because my connection is straight to Love who gives me all the value I need. "My" work is not attached to me - but rather something I bring my expression to. Whether my ideas or value is recognized and celebrated does not change the fact that my true worth with Love is complete.

Anything that tries to tell us otherwise - is just ego.

In his new book "A New Earth," Eckhart Tolle breaks ego down and gives it a slap in the face, and he reminds us all not to be to intimidated by it. He writes:

The ego isn't wrong, it's just unconscious. When you observe the ego in yourself, you are beginning to go beyond it. Don't take ego too seriously. When you detect egoic behavior in yourself, smile. At times you may even laugh. How could humanity have been taken in by this for so long? Above all, know that the ego isn't personal. It isn't who you are. If you consider the ego to be your personal problem, that's just more ego.

BAM! That was a smack in the face I needed this week. That's why I got Leo as my new friend. So, let me introduce you to LEO - Leave Ego Out.

Whenever my feelings are getting hurt - I turn to Leo. He's always there. The good news is - he can be your friend too ;)

Have a great week!

Travis

PS - Love yourself this Valentine's Day. I am offering 3 one-hour coaching sessions for just $125. So, if you have been wanting to test the waters - this is the perfect time.

PSS - I have been unable to send out the newsletter e-mail to all of you who signed up for it. So, I should have that resolved soon.