30 days of self love – jealousy
Have a fabulous Sunday! Keep in mind that you have the power (and many reasons) to love yourself today. 🙂
*******************************
Jealousy has many varying levels. Simply looking on with a bit of longing and want for something of someone else to outright frustration at the world or hatred of others for what you deem they have as better. Often times, more trivial matters spark jealousy – someone’s looks, material items, or popularity. However, we may even find ourselves wishing for their work ethic, family life, positive outlook, happiness, etc as well. Admiring others for their positive attributes and successes cultivates a supporting world. Obsessing and wishing for those same things produces an environment of hurt in relationships with others and yourself.
[source]
When we harbor jealousy, it quickly becomes a two ton pack weighing down our shoulders and our lives. Our strengths cannot help carry the weight after being whipped down numerous times for not living up to our jealous desires. The glow of others’ apparent prosperity seems to highlight our weaknesses and turn them into moths drawn to a flame of self-destruction. Remember how we discussed perfection does not exist in this world? Well, not only can it not happen in our lives, but the impossible nature of perfection applies to others as well.
The most beautiful of women with those “perfect” bodies typically have airbrushes working magic on the flaws that undoubtedly exist. Or that gorgeous woman you work with may have so much hurt and insecurity inside that her only happiness lies in her looks. She may even be wearing Spanx. 😉
The most put-together of your friends or loved ones definitely face their own struggles, insecurities, hurts, wants, and frustrations with life. If you could dig a little deeper, you would see the dust swept under the rug of their “perfect” life.
[source]
The co-workers, fellow bloggers, people in your yoga class, etc, etc, etc that you may envy for their fabulous salaries, lives, bodies, etc, etc, etc may in fact envy things they deem perfect about you.
We can never know the whole story. So why would we base our worth on the parts of our life we imagine fault us but not others? Center your worth on your qualities. Strive to become the best version of your self, not someone else. Determine what matters in your life and revolve your life around them.
Picture your life through a camera lens. Only you should be in focus. Everything else blurs into the background.
[source]
You become the defining factor of your life. Your loves, goals, interests, etc. These will inevitably extend outwards to others, as they should, but with you in focus, others no longer determine your world. They simply fulfill it as part of you…or fade away into oblivion.
What ways do you encounter jealousy? How can it hold you back? What could you look to in yourself or your life when wishing for what others have? I know I sometimes long for the workouts of other bloggers. I’ve mentioned before how much I miss my typical fitness level. When reading others’ workouts I sometimes feel a twinge of jealousy. Also, their cooking and creativity in the kitchen! I am not a master cook…but I have to remember I have other strengths, like hopefully writing and definitely supporting others, of which I should feel proud.
Quotes to Reflect On
Envy is the most stupid of vices, for there is no single advantage to be gained from it. ~Honore de Balzac
Envy is a symptom of lack of appreciation of our own uniqueness and self worth. Each of us has something to give that no one else has. ~Elizabeth O'Connor
*To be added to the email list and receive links to the posts in the morning, please let me know of your interest in a comment below.
*For more 30 Days Inspiration visit these bloggers who shared their personal 30 DSLR messages and let me know if you share anything relating to the 30 DSLR on your blog!
