Envy

Envy is the Art of counting the other fellow’s blessings instead of your own....  

~ Harold Coffin

What does envy feel like? Is it an isolated feeling that we have or can we recognize it layered in emotions such as anger, isolation, frustration, disappointment? Do we realize that envy is revealed within gossip, slander and maligning another? Can we assume that envy is only a desire for something we don’t have when in actuality it is much deeper than that?  Do we bury envy inside our discontent, concealing the knowledge that comparison and judgement lie in the roots of envy? Clearly envy sustains the ego’s appetite for power leaving us in the fear of our inadequacies as we search for a place to lay blame.   

Envy results in the simple act of reducing our personal life experience rendering it less than important. It is the art of comparison in a seditious back handed way, giving rise to personal criticism. It is in envy that we negate our greatness, forgo attention to our blessings and treasures as we remove our focus from the only reality we have... our own experience. We go off the grid of personaI pleasure and dig ourselves into depths of negative energy. Envy stems from a misguided sense of lack, a belief that we are missing something or even worse, that something has been held from us. In the feelings of envy we judge ourselves reducing our self worth and become powerless. Frustrated and angry we articulate each detail of such injustice spiraling us into a painful and unnecessary emotional state inhibiting our connection to the Divine within. We are individuals created with gifts that we alone possess and when we dishonor ourselves by thinking that the blessings of another surpass our own we negate our work, we relinquish our greatness and we disconnect from our joy. When focused on personal  satisfaction and happiness, our experience aids in the resistance to  comparison. We cannot feel envious when we look inward and count each and every blessing great and small. Knowing that no two apples are created to be exactly the same how can we think that lives, talents, purposes, opportunities and passions are by any stretch comparable? 

Times in my life where I fell into the trap of envy produced personal misery. I felt uncomfortable with myself, disconnected from a place I enjoyed being. My experience of envy became manipulative, wanting others to join me in the point of view I chose. Thankfully it became obvious that the only one suffering was me and it was by my own hand. I learned to climb out of the hole just to fall back in the next time becoming more frustrated than before.  I hoped that the circumstances of my dismay would change until I realized that my disappointment was with me, no one else. I began to learn that if I was to be happy I had to commit to accepting me as I am, no excuses. I had to choose to love myself without judgement so I could be free from the desire to be or do or have anything other than my life as it was and is. I am grateful that envy shows up rarely now, and I enjoy the freedom of being joy filled and appreciative of my own life. I wish I could say that I get it right all the time and that judgements never cross my mind but as always I embrace my shortcomings and am reassured that my work is not nearly done. I have so much farther to go, endless lessons to learn and opportunities to change and surprise me along the way. 

The path of most allowing is where the need for comparison diminishes. We begin to drink in the “what is” of our now experience and choose happiness and encouragement for others. We let go of the need to be like anyone else or to have their talents and treasures. We grow in awareness that we are all we need to be and have the choice to live as we will.  We own the opportunity to bring our personal gifts to the party of life, embrace ourselves in this moment and remain open to the probability that we, most likely, will be someone far greater in our future experience of self.  It all begins with a decision for self acceptance, approval and love. This is the rocket fuel that propels us into a life of peace with who we are and empowers us to show up in the best way we can right now. 

Disempowerment through envy inhibits our ability to create the wonderful experiences we desire. When we find it in our hearts to celebrate others we elevate ourselves into unconditional love and acceptance of all that is, in turn becoming more powerful and joy filled.  

Empowering Tip of the Day:  Be honest with yourself when envy shows its ugly face and know that you are enough, having  no need to justify who you are, what you have or what you do. You are a manifestation of the Creator, present in the life that you are carefully carving out one day at a time. Know that envy robs us of seeing all that we have in common with others and deny’s us the pleasure of celebrating life’s blessings. It is destructive and disempowering.... You are a Lightworker and are worthy of the fun and joy life has to offer.  Enjoy all you’ve become. 

Life is a journey, not a destination. 

Feel free to post your questions and comments. I look forward to hearing from you. Remember we are all on this journey growing and learning as we go, so your input will bring enlightenment to many. 

In Power, Peace & Love, 

Mary Ann

Make Today Great..... .