This week I was going to write about paving the road to Hell (good intentions), but inspiration for a different post found me last night. So, Hell will have to wait for at least another week.
Last night I watched the season finale of “Preacher” (Yes, I’m one of those people). For those of you who haven’t seen the show: it’s about a man, (Jesse Custer) whose father was a preacher, and as he grew he fell a little far from that tree – but eventually became a preacher himself. Well, in his far-from-the-tree days he and his lifetime friend/girlfriend (Tulip) were robbing a bank. Their partner (Carlos) heard them laughing and being playful so he sabotaged their heist and double-crossed them. Years later, when Jesse Custer was a preacher, they found him and asked him (not so nicely) why he did what he did. His answer? “You were happy.”
That’s what I’d like to talk about today. Why it is that people hate it when other people are happy. The answer I came up with… Jealousy.
The world doesn’t need more hate, or more jealousy, so let’s look at reasons we should be happy for others who are happy – even if we aren’t happy ourselves.
1. When you’re happy for someone else you allow their happiness to inspire you and ignite hope that you, too, will be happy soon.
2. When you’re happy for someone else you deepen your relationship. Real relationships are filled with ups and downs. People will respond more positively to your ups if they’ve also shared in your downs, and vice versa. It’s easier share in someone’s happiness if you’ve shared in their struggle.
3. When you’re happy for others you literally multiply the times you can celebrate and be happy. I don’t know about you, but I love being happy and celebrating. I’d much rather do that than be sad, and when we’re happy for someone else it also allows them the opportunity to be happy for you too.
There are many people who are viagra no rx appalachianmagazine.com facing many health problems. You can consume this herbal pill without appalachianmagazine.com sildenafil purchase any fear of side effects. This is an important detail you should discuss with your partner if you cialis purchase online will be sharing the mattress on a regular basis. Increase Sexual Vigour & Stamina The medicine not only stopped the attacks faster than the Claritin I had been taking previously, but tadalafil soft tabs it also prevented subsequent allergy attacks. Ok, so now you know why we should be happy for others, so let’s talk about how you can be happy for others. Here’s 5 ways:
1. Don’t hate – celebrate. Look for opportunities to be happy for others and to say something positive.
2. Be grateful. Every morning they write down 3 things you have that you’re grateful for. Today I’m grateful for the sunshine and being able to write outside, for being able to spend time with my kids and husband, and last (but not least) for the opportunity to kick my friend Sandra’s butt at donating blood later tonight.
3. Don’t compare yourself to others. My mother always told me, “Lissa, there’s always someone better off than you, and there’s always someone worse off than you.” My mom knows a lot. Instead of fixating on what others have, focus on the positives – whether it’s you or someone else.
4. Your value doesn’t depend on other people. We want other people to want what we have, but seeking approval from other people is self-destructive. Author Josh Gressel wrote a book called Embracing Envy: Finding the Spiritual Treasure in Our Most Shameful Emotion (You can find it on Amazon here). He writes, “To be seeking the envy of another is to be trapped in the same cycle that fuels any addiction: reaching for something outside yourself for something that ultimately needs to come from within.”
5. Be aware of your jealousy. This week I saw a YouTube video by comedian Chelsea Handler for Elle (Here’s a link) She talked about an event in her 20’s, when she convinced a friend to join her at a stand-up showcase for an agency. Her friend got representation and she didn’t. She felt like it wasn’t fair – she was the one who convinced her friend to do stand up in the first place. Chelsea hated the way she felt – like it was a mistake. She went to her sister for advice and was told, “It’s ok to feel jealous. It’s how you feel, you can’t stop from feeling it.” Her sister then told her, “Tell one person, nobody else, and don’t act on it.” Sage advice, and I love Chelsea’s statement about her feelings of jealousy, “I never blow out someone else’s candle to make mine brighter.”
This week, my reader, I challenge you to be happy for others. Feel gratitude for the things you have, share in others’ successes, and, like Chelsea Handler, don’t blow out someone else’s candle to make yours brighter.
My thoughts are my own, but my pictures are generally found on Pinterest (you can find anything there!). If you like what I write, please share with your friends or someone you think would like it! I’d love it if you follow me on Facebook (Melissa Gale), Instagram (write2unpack), or Twitter (@write2unpack). Oh, hey, and if you sign up here to follow me you’ll never miss a post!