"Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?" -Proverbs 27:4
Have you ever come across a person who just seems to "have it all?" They seemingly have the perfect life, with the perfect friends, perfect family, the perfect home, perfect cars, and perfect career to back it all up. We all know someone we may think has the perfect life, but something to keep in mind is that you are only seeing a small portion of how they actually live. Despite all of the apparent outter whealth, the truth may be that they really feel empty, alone, or too stressed out on the inside to even enjoy what they have. The point I am trying to make is to learn not to let jealousy get the best of you. The best way to combat jealousy is to focus on all the wonderful things in your life. If you want to be miserable, then keep comparing yourself to others; you'll never be happy. If you want to enjoy life as it was meant to be enjoyed, start by showing appretiation and gratitude for the things you do have. I love what Max Ehrman says about comparing ourselves to others, "If you compare yourself to others, you may become vain and bitter, for there will always be a greater and lesser persons than yourself."
You see, making comparisons leads to a false sense of identity and will either result in your pride becoming over-inflated, or your self-esteem completely diminishing. You can be pro-active by choosing not to compare yourself to others, as well as practicing gratitude. Gratitude, as I have learned over the years, is an extremely important factor of our mental well-being and true happiness. It makes sense that if you focus on what you don't have, you will feel bad, but if you focus on what you do have, you will feel good. Scientific studies confirm the power and importance of gratitude as well. By practicing gratitude by making a gratitude list every morning, and reviewing it every evening, you will be putting yourself in a perpetual mindset of thanksgiving and joy will overwhelm you. So instead of coveting, getting jealous, or being upset that you aren't "keeping up with the Jones,'" practice gratitude and you will combat all of those negative feelings. Practice gratitude, and you will experience a higher quality and appretiation for life and living!
"Every morning tell Him thank you for Your kindness, and every evening rejoice in all His faithfulness." -Psalm 92:1-2
:)
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