J - Jealousy
'1.
jealous resentment against a rival, a person enjoying success or advantage, etc., or against another's success or advantage itself.
2.
mental uneasiness from suspicion or fear of rivalry, unfaithfulness, etc.,as in love
or aims.
3.
vigilance in maintaining or guarding something.
4.
I found the part in bold above quite interesting. To be 'against another's success' is quite an odd thing to say isn't it? You dislike someone because they are successful? Who would do that? But actually, if you look at our lives we all do.
Looking through magazines and thinking, 'Argh I wish I looked like that.' I don't know about you, but in that moment I'm thinking 'I wish they didn't look quite like that - they're putting me to shame!'
Before prom my whole year had a group chat where we posted our dresses, to avoid the awkward who-wore-it-better war.
Hearing somebody's grades and thinking 'Oh I wish I could have gotten that grade.'
We are so obsessed with what somebody ELSE is doing/ looks like/ has achieved, and comparing it to what we HAVEN'T, that we can't take a moment to feel happy for them.
I don't look like that person in the magazine, but I'm glad they have that dream body. I'm really glad we wore the same dress to prom, it shows it was a nice dress! And maybe my grade WAS a lot lower than yours... But I'm really glad that you achieved a high grade, and you've inspired me to try harder next time.
When browsing for quotes, these two were my favourite, the left being more honest and harsh, and the right putting it into a different mindset.
Jealousy really is a lack of self confidence. We are jealous because we are not them. We are jealous because we wish we were, and are ashamed of what we are.
The one about the flower is so true also. It doesn't look at its neighbouring flower and try to grow taller or wider, or change the colour of its petals. And it CERTAINLY doesn't give up when it isn't the same. It simple IS. It is what it is, and it does what it does.
So my challenge this time, is to try and be more like a flower. Be who you are. And remember to support people in their achievements - don't hate it because you didn't achieve it.
That's been J,
- An Alphabet of Thoughts
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SOURCES:
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/jealousy
And google images.
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