The Ego Book

A friend had suggested a book that has greatly influenced my perspective on life.
It addresses the general public, but really applies closely to people who work in the film industry.
The issue of ego is that we are self-centered people. Everything in this business services the need and want (which is quite empty when you see the bigger picture). Ego drives the resentment of losing an acting gig, or a production gig or a deal. Most are cheated by very scummy people. There are a few ways to approach this...dwell in what you didn't get, or just recognize you didn't get it.
Jealousy is an ugly word but a very succinct one to describe how we function. Jealousy and envy is what motivates a lot of people. TO be able to work with certain celebrities, or have a large house off of making YouTube videos or just the people at the fray who've topped your efforts doesn't sit nicely in your mind. But, in the end, we have relatively the same amount of time on Earth as they do. For a lot of sacrifices one makes to earn this lifestyle, it may not be worth it.
I speak repeatedly about how money isn't the driving factor in a lot of us. Most 9 to 5 workers at my office are content to punch a clock, earn their 8 hours and never think about it again. But something probably nags at them. As mentioned in previous blogs, most likely...purpose. Our need to search for purpose leads us to people like Brie Larson who took to defending her friend who made a movie that everyone criticized. This "crusade" ended in her lashing out at a specific group of men who seemed to take delight in hurting her friend. The reality? They most likely didn't like the movie. But why would a person now rich and famous tackle something controversial that could get her booted from any other project? Because her need to matter took the driver's seat. Her ego would not allow her to be paraded by Marvel if there wasn't an important message she needed to tell society. Like it or not.
In hindsight, it's not bad she expressed her deep pain at a demographic that shunned women driven projects, if that were their intentions. I would say, in this case, it maybe was more for her own ego to take it upon herself to criticize in kind. The answer to the previous question about money and fame...it wasn't enough.
Money adjusts your comfort level. The less comfortable you can handle the less you spend. A man who has no home, can brave the elements under a cardboard box and be content. The person who lives in a mansion does not understand how this can be.
To me, ego isn't money, it's what it can bring you. A false sense of respect. People think people with nice things command respect. If you dig deeper, this is a very wrong way to perceive it. Only because it requires a lot of mental gymnastics to keep your stuff secured. Stuff just shows your insecurities with not having enough. I am guilty of it. Though I've never been poor (broke...yes!).
So the ego drives this business which creates a ton of jealousy.
The solution, disengage with what images and words and news brings you. Not to say you need to be completely out of the loop, but we have such short periods of time on Earth, the time spent on worry is depriving you of happiness. Whatever that may mean to you.
I took a drive to Fullerton last Saturday. A place I've heard of, but never been. It is a small town just outside of Disneyland. Quaint, and simple. It seems like, at one point in life VERY simple. The Old Town section still retains a lot of its charm. The road trip clears the mind. Wide open spaces. Regardless of who you are spiritually, I think our soul craves movement. Searching. A lot of us are shuttled from one dark place to another dark place.
I think there is a charm of going to an unknown place and no one knowing who you are and that temporary situation allows you to be more open with strangers. You learn more from strangers than anyone else.