EGO Vs SELF-BELIEF

In my opinion, there are few aspects of human behaviour which are very difficult to comment upon. But in our day-to-day dealings, we forget to observe ourselves. We don't understand as to when do we cross the limit. A very thin line separates self-believe/self-pride from ego. While trying to assert the superiority of our view-point we often tend to disrespect the counter-point. It is very human to get emotional when your core ideology is challenged. Trying to maintain calm at that point of time while respecting the counter view is what Statesmanship is all about.
The human weakness of self-righteousness often inflicts the ideological committed personalities. But a spokesperson of a particular ideology becomes statesman when he overcomes the disease of self-righteousness. Most men never attain that state. Most of the issues are created by such semi-cooked ideological personalities. While I admit to the fact that I get offended when my ideology is challenged, but I believe it is still the maturing phase for all of us.
The most cruel form of ideological incompetency is getting personal with someone when you harbour ideological differences. I can claim to be fairly isolated of this vice.
But Ego & Self Belief are two things which are yet so close & yet so far. It's in the ultimate interest of the society that we accept ideological differences & move along.

Trap of Mediocrity

You can't succeed if you aren't driven by your aspirations. Well, this sentence may sound like some rhetoric of a motivational speaker but the actual substance to this sentence is far more than what we perceive it to be. The difference between so-called successful & unsuccessful people is their uncanny heart-burning desire to succeed. We all begin our aspirational stories with the slogans of meritocracy but most of us fall in the trap of mediocrity. There is a very thin separating mediocrity & meritocracy. Instant success kills the burning desire in a mediocre person or instant failure deters the mediocre person to pursue his dreams further. By aiming for small & instant success we often miss the larger picture. I don't believe that there is an ocean of difference between an ordinary & extraordinary person. But its that small difference in speaking, an extra element of grace, a perfect shade of perfection, an holistic approach to a simple issue that creates the big difference between them. Being mediocre is natural but defying that is what creates the marvel within a person. I don't think that all men are born great(though some are) but its that shear desire to reach the pinnacle that separates the jewel amongst the stones.
Burning desire for success, may not necessarily give you success but it will definitely give you that deep sense of satisfaction. An inner satisfaction that no amount of thrusted greatness can give. I also believe that being over-ambitious without being practical about the ground realities can be the greatest reason for disappointment. Having more ambition is as good as gambling big. With higher ambitions your probability to succeed also decreases proportionately.
Ultimately its all about being satisfied from within. Mediocrity or No-Mediocrity, its all about what you think you are doing right. Mediocrity is a worldly term used to describe certain parameters but it's that shear inner self belief that matters. I try to follow only one thing. By doing so I may have erred in worldly terms but I am able to stand myself in front of the mirror.
The thing which I follow is
"DO WHAT YOU BELIEVE IS RIGHT
DON'T DO WHAT YOU PERCEIVE IS RIGHT"
I hope you get the difference.