What's up Wednesday? #1
Hi everyone,
This is kindLemonade - I'm bringing to you a fresh new series called "What's up Wednesday?". I hope to bring some joy to your daily plate + a bundle of mind-tickling questions 😜 Let's dive right in!
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Today, we are talking about jealousy. Nowadays, we can see information about people's lives and achievements on various social media platforms. Sometimes, seeing others being happy, or leading an exciting life could make us worried if ours is too plain or boring, if we are doing OK or not. Hence, here come comparisons and that big J word, slowly eating us from within. Being bombarded with content from everywhere, newspapers, YouTube ads, posters,... also gradually primed us to think bout how we "should" lead our lives. Jealousy is an emotion, it may be uncomfortable but you don’t have to get rid of or engage in the feeling. Jealousy if being acted out can hurt relationships and friendships.
The questions I would like to ask you all today are:
- Have you ever felt jealous from seeing content about other people's lives? Where did you encounter it? For example posters, news, movies, following idol's social media,...
- How would you deal with jealousy?
Resource: Jealousy assistance
https://www.7cups.com/exercises/mindfulness562/
@kindLemonade
hi lemon! thank you for bringing this awesome series to us!
- Have you ever felt jealous from seeing content about other people's lives? Where did you encounter it? For example posters, news, movies, following idol's social media,...
Oh definitely. I'm not naturally a very jealous person and feel such feelings very infrequently, but i do have my moments of raging, rampant jealousy mostly about the things I'm insecure about. i encountered this jealousy when talking to some friends on the phone, watching their social media content, and realized how i have to work significantly harder for a lot of basic things like respect for what i do, acceptance for who i am, and how they don't have to worry about the absolutely trivial things that I'm forced to worry about because of the circumstances in my life. I'm jealous of their peace, the mental space, and ease of movement that they... just have, and i have to fight hard for. Maybe it's just me discovering newer parts of the world and of life as a young person, but yep, it's definitely something I'm working on and making my peace with!
- How would you deal with jealousy?
I deal with jealousy by listing things and people that i am grateful for, by reminding myself that everybody's life moves at a different pace, that we are all on a different and unique journey, and someday, i will be free of these negative feelings because nothing in life is subject to permanence and suffering, no matter how harsh, is temporary just like pleasure. The closing lines of the poem 'Desiderata' by Max Ehrmann help me a lot too:
"And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you may conceive Him to be,
And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."
Thank you!
Hi Clarisse,
Thank you for being so genuine. I think at the end of the day, it comes down to acceptance, which is a lesson taught from different religions and spiritual practice.
It seems to me that you have been having a tricky time in life and been striving for what others might take for granted. For that, please do acknowledge your own efforts and journey, all the time and energy you put in. Triviality or valuable is relative, there is no specific scale or measuring system for that. There are peer or societal pressures and standards, which I understand. For me, what you shared sound already admirable, your resilience and inner strength proved it. Nothing is permanence, like you have already discovered and each person’s journey in life is unique. I guess perhaps your hardship might be more meaningful and valuable if we take a step back and see them differently. Then maybe how we look at ourselves would also change.
🙌😃🥸
@kindLemonade
true! thank you for sharing your perspective lemon!
