What is a Healthy Ego?

Pathwork is not about eradicating the ego but about developing a healthy ego that is connected and integrated with the Higher Self. One day as I was driving on 1-70 in the mountains of Colorado I entered that state of "driving trance" and asked myself, "What are the characteristics of a healthy ego?". These are the responses that my own Higher Self gave to me. It occured to me that these are,in fact, the goals of successful psychotherapy.

1. To develop a true sense of self-acceptance that is not based on external factors but on an internal acceptance of one's own being.

2. To develop healthy boundaries and limits.

3. To be able to be authentic and speak one's truth rather than present a "false self" or mask.

4. To let go of shame about the past, one's mistakes, history and shortcomings. To practice self-forgiveness and compassion.

5. To be able to feel and express the full range of human emotions appropriately.

6. To practice healthy self-care physically, emotionally and spiritually.

7. To take responsibility for one's life, choices and behaviors rather than blame others.

8. To be able to create and maintain healthy relationships that are interdependent rather than overly dependent or anti-dependent.

9. To separate physically, emotionally and financially from one's family of origin and to individuate with a sense of one's own true identity.

10. To develop a spiritual/philosophical understanding of life which becomes our context for experiencing life's challenges. To see our lives as an unfolding journey that facilitates the evolution of our soul.

4 Comments to What is a Healthy Ego?:

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Phenocal on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 1:52 AM

Hi,I am doing dieting regularly but the results are not satisfying. I am frustrated what can I do now?

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	Katelyn Daniels, LCPC on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 12:00 PM I am responding to your question about your efforts to manage your weight. Although you don't give specifics as to the type of diet your are on or what seems to be sabotaging your efforts to lose weight, I will address what I consider to be common reasons that people don't achieve the results they desire. A healthy ego practices self-care on all levels, physical, emotional and spiritual. Our physical health and well being is important to our overall well-being. Some people have learned to use food as a way to handle emotional pain and stress. Some simply have poor eating habits that are reinforced by our culture. I believe the greatest culprit in our society is the over consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates. Many people are carb sensitive and insulin resistant and will not lose weight if they consume too many carbs. I have found that the HCG diet is an effective way to drop a lot of weight very quickly and then set the groundwork for a new way of eating with far fewer carbs. You can google HCG diet and read about the protocol. It was originally developed by Dr. Simeons who wrote a book you can find for free on-line called "Pounds and Inches". Hope this helps and Good Luck!! Katelyn