It seems like no matter how hard we try to be humble; how hard we try to put others first; how we want to take the focus off us, there is a button that can be pushed, that switch that can be flipped that just sends us off in alter personality that we become ashamed of.  I think that it might happen more with men, but I am not sure. I think that women have the same inner desire to be good, but probably are not as obvious as men are.

I am talking about those times when someone is talking about something. It can be anything. It can be the route they took to get home. The achievement their children had, something their spouse did.  And the craziest thing is, it can swing both ways. It can be when someone is describing a bad situation (dental work, scars, broken bones) or it can be about achievements (raises, houses, cars, vacations, etc.) it does not matter. There is something in us that wants to be greater or more significant than others.

Check out this clip:

Can you relate to any of that. I can almost bet when you were watching it, multiple names came up of people you thought of in your life like that. What I want to challenge with is, how often do you become the “Me Monster”. I want to encourage you to think about the motivation behind your desire to suck focus from others on yourself. I want to challenge you to either rejoice in the triumphs shared by others or show empathy and compassion for others when things are less fortunate. Soak up the situations, acknowledge life of others.
Also, don’t jump quickly into judging and pointing figures when you experience others exhibiting the behavior of “Me Monsters”, but pray for them. Realize that those people are searching for approval. There is a void in their life they are trying to fill. Try doing the opposite that seems natural. Go out of your way to encourage them. Not about what they are bragging about, but something about their character or personality or impact they have had in your life. Lead by example, do not conform to this world:

Do not be conformed to this world,^c but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2

I want to challenge you to start your day off, for this next week, with the focus and attitude to minimize your “me monster” tendencies.  I will presume you will, unfortunately, catch yourself a time or two, but don’t be brutal on yourself, strive for improvement, not perfection.