Jealous of you? No, not really. Or maybe I am. Afterall, I did just see one of my facebook friends post up some super happy pictures of them in their new gorgeous home. And come to think about it, I just saw my neighbor with a fantastic new car yesterday. And to top it off ... my coworker just got this ENORMOUS raise and promotion. I mean seriously, why wouldn't I be jealous of all of this stuff....? How come I don't have all of that ...or you? They are living such a better life then me..... and have way better things than I do!!!
Ok....STOP.
If you have ever been thinking some of these thoughts, I am not going to say it is wrong, because it is probably pretty typical human behavior. But, what I will say is that it is time to look at things in a different light. Up to you though....but I promise, if you see this point of view, then your life....well, lets just say can be a little better.....? Or maybe not? But it is worth a shot to listen to another person's point of view for a slight second. Afterall, haven't you just seen that latest post of your friends gorgeous new baby and all the lavish trips they are taking? Wouldn't you like to know how to have what they have? (And make sure you read until the end because I am going to reveal a BIG secret!)
I am just going to be honest with you and tell you how all of your facebook friends and coworkers are doing sooo much better than you. But wait, you have to be prepared for my next response. Are you ready? Well, their secret is that they are probably not doing as well as you think...
Yes, this is true. While their may be a lot of people who are doing well and surviving....the honest to God truth is their life is probably not as golden as you think it is. As human beings we naturally have a competitive nature about us. And this competitive nature about us gives us an arrogant attitude that wants everyone to think our lives are perfect all the time. This is not to say that what other people say or do is not true, (Although 99% of facebook posts are lies) or that maybe that new neighbor of yours did not actually buy that new car. I am just letting you know that their lives are probably not that perfect. And if you do not know this by now....People enjoy over exaggerating their achievements in life to make themselves feel better about themselves. And OF COURSE because they want people like you to actually believe that their lives are wonderful, or to put it simple....better than yours....
Honestly, true happiness only comes from above. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him Romans 15:13." Not in all the new stuff you see your friends buy, the big house you just saw on your friends new facebook post...or their new baby they just had. Don't get me wrong...I am sure most people love their child and the things they purchase may make them happy...but only for a moment, OR, until they see their neighbor, (or you), with the next best thing.
"Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” – Luke 12:15
HOWEVER, if you happen to not believe in God, (that's fine because remember I am not judging) then maybe you can get my next statement...."Unhappiness comes from comparing your life to others." Seriously....it does......!If you are really honest with yourself, you were probably pretty happy with your house, car, family and whatever else you can think of, until you started looking on the other side and saw someone who has a bigger house, better car....and, well you get the point.....STOP COMPARING OR YOU WILL BE DESTINED FOR UNHAPPINESS.....
BUT WAIT!!!!! Remember that big secret that I was dying to tell you at the beginning. Well, you know that new giant screen t.v. that your facebook friend has been bragging about all the time and constantly posting pics of it on the front of his page and that you really really want. Well, the big secret is, he doesn't have it either and he really really really really wants it too.
"A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot (Proverbs 14:30)."
Written By: Te-Shandra Haskett, MBA
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