Let the ego play...

"Come to play this evening at 4. ok? Reply Now...", is a text familiar to those who have been playing with me during weekends for the past decade and sometimes nowadays too. Of how these words have sustained time but people changing over the same time is what has surprised me today. Of how ego comes into play even in trivial issues and how it spoils the efforts and interests of others who would have been better of without them. So, is it people who have changed or their mental states that have actually changed?

 The gang used to have a strong attendance of around 15-20 every weekend. Taking lifestyle changes, attitudes, personal preferences, geographical divides and 'you name it, we have it reasons', I can find people move in and out of the gang over time. The question here is if people have changed or is it their mental states that have changed. People, here denoting the population has been like the alphabets used in words- specific alphabets used for each word; but, mental states here refers to the behaviour and attitude of these specific alphabets. Words are many, so have the weekends been. Mental states have varied, so have the attitudes and behaviour of the population. 

Alphabets have remained at 26; Population has ranged from 15-20. But, over time the number who turn up during weekends has come down to a mere 5-8 now. Of these, the predominant reason for them to turn up is the fact that they reside in the same place since long. Others who have been divided by the geographical divide still visit occasionally and make every effort to visit the gang and enjoy the game we play. 

The mental states are altered by every person's ego, which is pretty much visible in one simple area. The place where the game begins. The text that i send asking for the availability of the members to join for the evening's play. Initially, even before all 20 messages would have left the outbox, i would begin to receive replies. That was the age of innocence. Later, the number receded, yet the replies were coming in. Nowadays, as ego takes over their mental states, the replies never come but people turn up for the evening and begin to blame if there is insufficient number, meaning they have read the text but did not bother to reply. Some reply late so that they can conveniently confirm if the game is still on for the evening and make their presence if needed. Some, question every possible topic but would confirm only when called; Some, due to inter-linking their personal stress factors would resort to lies; Some, for the proof that ego can never win over the true self, reply promptly irrespective of whether their presence is confirmed or not.

In the due course, just like how the rain-bearing clouds are impacted by the terrain they come across, the self is impacted by external and internal factors which results in altering their ego states. This in turn, results in their mental states change over time and what these people forget to remember is, they are constantly eyed by the society and their true colours are seen as a result.

This post has nothing to do at all. It can be viewed as a very simple reply to a text message. But, when accumulated and analysed over a period of time, am sure everyone would have got at least the faintest hint of what it can result in. If you let the ego play, you'll be the turf. If you keep your self aware, the ego can be an excellent turf for the game. This post is dedicated to the ones who have kept ego at bay and come to play; and with little regard and complete disrespect for those who have treasured their ego. - rPhoenix