Jealousy is an emotion. It is hard to find a human being who has never been jealous of someone one way or the other. Innate in us, it has been observed in infants who are jealous of their siblings who are monopolising the attention of their parents. So there is no need to feel ashamed even if you find yourself consumed by the fire of jealousy. In fact, I encourage to use no effort at the beginning to dismiss or transform it. Rather, be aware of how it feels in you. Accept it. Embrace it. Connect with it. Can you relate to that physiological response every time that jealousy is running in your circuit. Are your criticisms justified? Or is it a case of sour grape from less successful work of yours? Are you pretending that you do not want it? Or do you simply want to opt out of the game of comparison?
If you reflect on it, you may be able to find the chain of thoughts that precedes or follow this powerful emotion. Almost in all situations, there is a feeling of insecurity coupled with inadequacy which then develop into anger and resentment of some sort. It is a wake up call. First and foremost, admit that you want what the others have whether it is a status, an achievement or material possession. Then recognise that we can still be worthy of love from ourselves and others as long as we can look at our own uniqueness beyond the cultural definition of success. Ultimately we want to aim at the goal of cultivating appreciative joy. This is the wholesome attitude of rejoicing in the happiness and virtues of all, like a mother celebrating at the success of her son. Will it take a reborn Mother Theresa to be able to do so. Well, if you do not at least start with admitting to the fact that jealousy resides in you, then how can we ever practise and evolve?
No comments:
Post a Comment