I haven't been sleeping well, lately. As a frog who never has trouble in that department, I am concerned and confused by my sudden sleeplessness. I was bleary-eyed when I rolled out of bed this morning. It's Wednesday and that meant Dharma Frog was due for his weekly visit and lesson. I hadn't prepared anything and didn't have much in my pantry. I was beginning to panic over what to serve my honored guest when, out of the blue, Dharma jumped onto my lily pad carrying a large box. "Good morning, Tadpole. I'm glad I caught you before you started breakfast. You're always making me these wonderful meal so I thought it was my turn to return the favor. Here. I picked up some of your favorite pastries on my way here. All you need to do is put the kettle on for tea." I was so shocked by his kind gesture that I don't remember if I properly thanked him. As we set the table and waited for the tea to steep, Dharma asked me why I looked so tired. I explained to him that I haven't been sleeping well; I had lots on my mind. And, of course, he wan't to know what was troubling me.
It was hard for me to admit, but a friend of mine just got a wonderful new job making lots of money and I was, well, jealous! Things have been tough for me lately, financially-speaking, so I could certainly use an extra source of income. it wasn't that I begrudged my friend the job; that I thought I was more deserving of it. I only wanted what he had, as well. I was jealous that he found work before me. Dharma shook his head and said, . "Irwin, a jealous frog is troublesome to others, but a torment to himself." I didn't even have to ask what he meant. I was experiencing it first flipper (hand). I was miserable, I wasn't sleeping and, worst of all, my friend knew I was jealous and wasn't speaking to me. "What do I do, Dharma?" I pleaded. He thought for a moment and then began to list a few of the problems that jealous creates.
1. Jealousy can ruin your relationships. It doesn't matter if it's your family, friends, or co-workers. jealousy is sure-fire way of running others off. He suggested that rather than feeling jealous of my friend's success, I should try and find happiness for him. Negative thinking only comes back to hurt us, By being genuinely happy for the success of others, we bring success and, more importantly, peace to ourselves. 2. Jealousy will make you miserable. Not only does jealousy make us sad, it causes us to become fearful. We worry about others and what they're doing instead of focusing on ourselves and our own needs. Jealousy can turn you into someone you'd rather not be; sad, pathetic, miserable, and pessimistic. 3. Jealousy will affect your social life. In addition to being sad and miserable, you may also find yourself alone. Since socializing is what we do with the humans, or frogs, we like, jealous people tend to get left out. No one wants to be around a jealous frog...or human! You miss out on all the fun, not to mention all the other benefits that friendship offers. Jealousy truly is a green--eyed monster and that's a creature every shies away from! 4. Jealousy can affect your health. Since jealousy can make you sad and fearful, it makes perfect sense that jealousy would affect your health. Jealousy leads to more, or increased stress, And we all should know by now that stress leads to obesity, heart disease, headaches, accelerated aging, premature death and much more. It can affect your mental health, as well. Jealousy may be human, but it's also unhealthy...so try and keep it under control! 5. Jealousy can make you a criminal. Yes, it's true! Some folks are so overcome with jealousy that they are willing to steal whatever it is they want. Or rob someone for the money to buy it. Either way, jealousy won't just cost you your friends...it could cost you your freedom, as well. And if you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, jealousy could also cost you your life. 6. Jealousy can affect your loved ones. We all know that when something bad happens to someone we care about, it can have a profound impact on us, too. Jealousy won't just affect your life, it will also affect the lives of of those around you. Do you want your friends and family to be subjected to the smack talk they'll undoubtedly hear about you? Lastly, 7. You'll be left all alone. I know I mentioned this earlier, but it bears repeating. Loneliness is a HUGE negative factor of jealousy. You may finally obtain all the things you want out of life but, ultimately, you'll wind up alone with no one to share them with.
As Dharma and I clean-up the remains of our wonderful meal, he quietly said, "Irwin, a jealous frog is troubling to others, but is a torment to himself, as you have well-learned. If you want to go back to sleeping better, then you know what you need to do. Apologize to your friend and beg his forgiveness. Tell him that you are genuinely happy for his success. He may or may not forgive you but, no matter what the outcome is, you'll end up sleeping better because you've done the right thing. You've cleared your conscience. Jealousy is not a pretty emotion, Tadpole, but it's one that we all have to deal with. The more we are grateful for what we have, the less likely we'll become jealous of what other's have."
I know he's right. And I truly am happy for for my friend. I let someone else's success and happiness cloud my good judgement. As soon Dharma hopped away, I picked up the phone and called my friend. We're going to meet up later today and I am hoping he'll see the sincerity of my apology. Wish me luck!
It was hard for me to admit, but a friend of mine just got a wonderful new job making lots of money and I was, well, jealous! Things have been tough for me lately, financially-speaking, so I could certainly use an extra source of income. it wasn't that I begrudged my friend the job; that I thought I was more deserving of it. I only wanted what he had, as well. I was jealous that he found work before me. Dharma shook his head and said, . "Irwin, a jealous frog is troublesome to others, but a torment to himself." I didn't even have to ask what he meant. I was experiencing it first flipper (hand). I was miserable, I wasn't sleeping and, worst of all, my friend knew I was jealous and wasn't speaking to me. "What do I do, Dharma?" I pleaded. He thought for a moment and then began to list a few of the problems that jealous creates.
1. Jealousy can ruin your relationships. It doesn't matter if it's your family, friends, or co-workers. jealousy is sure-fire way of running others off. He suggested that rather than feeling jealous of my friend's success, I should try and find happiness for him. Negative thinking only comes back to hurt us, By being genuinely happy for the success of others, we bring success and, more importantly, peace to ourselves. 2. Jealousy will make you miserable. Not only does jealousy make us sad, it causes us to become fearful. We worry about others and what they're doing instead of focusing on ourselves and our own needs. Jealousy can turn you into someone you'd rather not be; sad, pathetic, miserable, and pessimistic. 3. Jealousy will affect your social life. In addition to being sad and miserable, you may also find yourself alone. Since socializing is what we do with the humans, or frogs, we like, jealous people tend to get left out. No one wants to be around a jealous frog...or human! You miss out on all the fun, not to mention all the other benefits that friendship offers. Jealousy truly is a green--eyed monster and that's a creature every shies away from! 4. Jealousy can affect your health. Since jealousy can make you sad and fearful, it makes perfect sense that jealousy would affect your health. Jealousy leads to more, or increased stress, And we all should know by now that stress leads to obesity, heart disease, headaches, accelerated aging, premature death and much more. It can affect your mental health, as well. Jealousy may be human, but it's also unhealthy...so try and keep it under control! 5. Jealousy can make you a criminal. Yes, it's true! Some folks are so overcome with jealousy that they are willing to steal whatever it is they want. Or rob someone for the money to buy it. Either way, jealousy won't just cost you your friends...it could cost you your freedom, as well. And if you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, jealousy could also cost you your life. 6. Jealousy can affect your loved ones. We all know that when something bad happens to someone we care about, it can have a profound impact on us, too. Jealousy won't just affect your life, it will also affect the lives of of those around you. Do you want your friends and family to be subjected to the smack talk they'll undoubtedly hear about you? Lastly, 7. You'll be left all alone. I know I mentioned this earlier, but it bears repeating. Loneliness is a HUGE negative factor of jealousy. You may finally obtain all the things you want out of life but, ultimately, you'll wind up alone with no one to share them with.
As Dharma and I clean-up the remains of our wonderful meal, he quietly said, "Irwin, a jealous frog is troubling to others, but is a torment to himself, as you have well-learned. If you want to go back to sleeping better, then you know what you need to do. Apologize to your friend and beg his forgiveness. Tell him that you are genuinely happy for his success. He may or may not forgive you but, no matter what the outcome is, you'll end up sleeping better because you've done the right thing. You've cleared your conscience. Jealousy is not a pretty emotion, Tadpole, but it's one that we all have to deal with. The more we are grateful for what we have, the less likely we'll become jealous of what other's have."
I know he's right. And I truly am happy for for my friend. I let someone else's success and happiness cloud my good judgement. As soon Dharma hopped away, I picked up the phone and called my friend. We're going to meet up later today and I am hoping he'll see the sincerity of my apology. Wish me luck!
RSS Feed