2+3 = 23

I just turned 23 years young recently. Despite much persuasion from my family that I should celebrate "the day" with a nice night out with friends, go shopping, get a facial ...in other words, pamper myself. I did not quite like the idea because of this concept of "the self".

Do you not feel that by celebrating birthdays is sign of Self-glorification, a means of boasting our ego?

Human society at present exerts a pernicious influence upon the soul of man. Instead of allowing us to live a life of service and sacrifice, it is highly competitive and teaches us to pride ourselves on our accomplishments. From early childhood we are trained to develop our ego and to seek to exalt ourselves above others, in the ultimate aim of achieving, self-importance, success and power.

Without a doubt, I do have traces of ego within me. I do have happy feelings when my efforts are praised, I do feel special when someone says I look pretty, I do think of myself when it comes to money issues, I do have attachments to material things...I am after all, an imperfect being. But that does not mean I should just allow my ego to feed of my imperfections...

Hence, what I propose to do (which is one of my New Years Resolution) is to tame that beast (the self/ ego). My first step of action will be to donate or do charitable deeds for the community in times of celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries...etc).