Don’t tell me how old you are or how smart you are. No matter who you are, you were once a 2-year-old. That part of you is still there. You don’t think so? Then start spending time with 2-year-olds and they will teach much about how that very early addition of yourself is still reacting to the world you live in.

The 2-year ego is a real beast. It takes everything personally. It is angered and offended easily and deeply. For many if not most a screaming rage is just one impulse away. You may be smiling and kidding your “self” that you being an adult are removed from such basic narcissistic behavior. And I say you should pay attention to your adult moods, behaviors, and intentions. A 2-year-old can quickly provoke a response from your own inner 2-year-old ego before you even realize it has happened.

As a grandfather of 8, I have 8 teachers who eagerly challenge my ego daily. I have studied meditation and mindfulness for a significantly long time yet sometimes one of my 2-year-olds has managed to erode my patience and over-run my self-discipline. So we must be ever vigilant and actively practice the virtues that hold ourselves to.

A typical 2-year-old meltdown starts with the child wanting something. It might go something like this:

The 2-year-old: “I want another waffle!”

The Grandfather: “I am sorry, they are all gone, how about some toast?”

2-year old: screams loudly and slaps the plate of the table “NO!, I want waffe;!”

Or just simply:

I want it” cries the 2-year ego

“Have patience you can’t have it right now”, says spiritual wisdom.

“But I want it now”, says the 2-year-old ego.

“All things come to those who wait,” says the wisdom of experience

Here are two exercises to see the inner 2-year-old in the world and in yourself.

Exercise 1: Now that you are aware of the inner 2-year be alert for the next drama you become aware of between other people and other groups. Watch for signs in your individual relationship, in your family, at work, in your neighborhood, in your community, in your state, in your country, and in the world society. You can view around you in your immediate locale as well as on TV, Social Media, and, Internet News. What to look for in both individuals (singular egos) and Groups (collective egos): Narcissism, Greed, Obstinate Stubbornness, Whining, Indifference to concerns of others, Rage, Envy, and, Revenge.

Exercise 2: Now be alert for your own reactions when you take something personally. People who do not actively practice mindfulness will probably only realize what happened after the drama is over and upon reflection. If you are aware and mindful as your inner 2-year-old awakens, you will notice anger, resentment, craving, envy, uncontrollable desire, revenge, rage, sadness, and longing and then consciously choose the higher path.

Do not kid yourself by thinking that grownups are above this sort of behavior. The same behaviors persist in adults only more sophisticated and many times with catastrophic results. You can never tell what karma will bring from the choices and actions of the ego.

What does all of this have to do with Longevity? The answer is everything. Letting the ego, especially the early raw ego of a 2-year old make choices creates a life of stress and drama that eats away at your longevity. Karma will create a life of suffering that erodes your ability not only to endure and thrive but directly affect your moment-by-moment quality of life. Remember one of the blue zone virtues is that the centenarians often live quiet simple lives without excessive drama. They are surrounded by loving friends and family who care for them. Your friends and loved one can quickly become scared when your 2-year-old is running your life.

And then there is Ego Depletion or also known as Ego fatigue. There are moments when we are more vulnerable to the ego’s dominance. For more on Ego Depletion read this article: https://thetaooflongevity.blog/2022/10/30/ego-depletion/

The higher path to follow is to recognize this in yourself and others. Through mindfulness, you can become aware of your 2-year-old ego rising. and transcend this self-serving mindset and be your higher self. Through discipline (sovereignty) you can choose the way of virtue as the way of virtue over that destiny of failure of ego. When you notice the dark side rising, take a breath and look for the right action and the way of altruism. Don’t let your inner 2-year-old ruin your quality of life and the lives of those around you. For more on the power of virtue please visit the Sovereignty Blog and search for Tao lessons about the way of virtue.