Thursday, August 12, 2010

Feeling a little Jealous? I've got the solution...

by Brittany Geragotelis

So, last night I heard someone say something incredibly profound and I just had to share it with my faithful blog followers! The topic was jealousy and someone asked how they could stop themselves from comparing their lives to others and getting upset over it. Now, I've been in this particular position of wanting what somebody else had and didn't handle it all that well, so the topic hit a little close to home for me.

Curious to hear what others had to say about it, I remained silent and waited for someone else to answer. Finally, this guy I know said something that completely blew my mind. He said:

"You know, the world doesn't have a finite amount of happiness in it."

Uh....it doesn't?

He went on to explain that it's not like if one guy is lucky in love and gets himself into a great new relationship, that that's it for love in the universe. Just because he's found love, doesn't mean he's taken the possibility of finding love away from you. In other words, there's enough love to go around.

And he's totally right. Let's say a friend gets a raise at work and you're still experiencing pay cuts at your place of employment. Sure, you may feel that twinge of jealousy start to creep up, but it's important to remember: your friend isn't getting a raise instead of you (unless, of course, your friend is also your co-worker and you're both applying for a raise...then, this example wouldn't apply). Your friend might have worked their ass off to get that raise or maybe they were just lucky. The point is, his getting the raise doesn't mean he's taken up all the raises in the history of raises.

When you think of it that way, it sort of makes it silly to be envious of anyone...just because someone else got there first, doesn't mean you won't be next in line for happiness. So, wish others well, congratulate them on their good fortune and then wait for your own to come rushing in.

5x5,
B.

P.S. Happy Friday the 13th. My favorite Holiday EVER!!!
P.P.S. Congrats to my dear friend, Darcy for getting engaged! Lots of love, sista!

3 comments:

Denise said...

It can be difficult to feel happiness for someone else when they get what you have wanted and longed for. Been there, done that. But your friend is right. Maybe the karma in the universe is waiting until the right moment for YOU comes along. We all should practice feeling happiness for other people and in turn, the happiness we feel for them can spark our own happiness. Hang in there B, there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

Missa said...

Also, I would say, it's okay to "feel" jealous. Feelings are fine things, and are for ourselves. It is our actions that we take after we know our feelings and have explored why we are having them. Try not to beat yourself up if you feel something that you think you shouldn't feel.

Michelle said...

Brittany! You should change your name to FULLO'WISDOM.

What a lovely and encouraging post. I agree! Love is everywhere, and we just have to be open to it and support anyone who needs it.

Jealousy is a silly emotional perception. ;)

 
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