Jealousy - A Mirror of what we truly long for but believe aren’t worthy of

Jealousy is a natural human emotion. We all have little moments now and then when we feel a tiny bit jealous. Especially in the age of social media it can easily seem that other people's lives are more exciting, that others have been dealt better cards in life than you and that some people just seem to have the things you want but can’t have- Or at least that’s what you believe.

In our culture jealousy or being jealous has a negative connotation. We are supposed to hide our jealousy, it’s not charming to be jealous, jealous people are difficult to be around etc. 

Well, let me tell you that I am of the firm belief  that jealousy can be a positive thing or bring about positive results if we simply look at it from a slightly different angle. 

When we are jealous of someone it is ever so often the case that said person has something we do not have and believe is unattainable to us. The issue doesn’t lie within what they have but in the fact that we are strongly convinced that whatever they have is impossible for us to achieve. Many of us get so caught up in the idea that they can’t have or achieve what the person they envy has that they don’t even put the slightest thought to perhaps even trying to achieve or attain the very thing which sparks envy within them. 

And here comes the major turning point and the reason why I believe jealousy can be a positive thing. Instead of standing there with blind envy, wishing your life was better and feeling sorry for yourself- do something about it! Jealous of someone's great in-shape body? Start hitting the gym. Jealous of your friends book publishing? Write your own! Jealous your cousin just started his own business? Maybe you should explore your own entrepreneurial skills. Jealous of your friends youtube channel? Start creating videos yourself! 

Hence jealousy is a great indicator of things we would like to do or have in our lives. 

So why do we often struggle to go for the things our heart truly desires in the first place and then become jealous of those who are successfully chasing their dreams? Because many of us subconsciously feel that we aren't worthy of having those things in our lives or that we perhaps aren’t good enough. We fear that we fail, we would rather not try than fail. And that’s the major difference between people who successfully live their dreams and those who don’t- People who aren’t afraid to fail are much more likely to get what they want because they give it a try. And if they fail they give it another, and another and another- until they’ve achieved their dream. 

The next time you find yourself in a situation in which you feel jealous take a deep breath and ask yourself, : “What exactly is it that this person has which I want and what is one step I can take towards achieving it?” 

Then you take that step, and another and perhaps another.

 Let your own little moments of jealousy bring you closer to the life you truly want and become the best version of yourself.