[PaulHoule]

The use of the word "ego" here is wrong.

The "ego" is the structure in your mind that mediates between your unedited desires (the "id") and reality. It is a system of adaptations and defenses.

It is not simply a "collection of unrealistic inflated self-images" which is what most people think it is.

Now it could be your ego is not very adaptive and doesn't defend anything worth defending, but that's because your ego is broken not because the ego is a bad thing.

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As for your question I'd say my answer to it varies a lot and in a good week I would answer positively 80% of the time and in a bad week I would answer positively 40% of the time. There are times I am "struggling" with a problem but I always get some escape from it and I get a lot of satisfaction with being engaged in the world itself.

I can simultaneously believe "this specific situation is unacceptable" and "I have gratitude for ...".

[kboom]

Well, if I can have a chance of improving the life of one more person - You - I'll be happy :) Please do the experiment and come back here in 5 days.

Is it pleasurable in my head right now?