“Love does not envy.” Being envious is wanting something someone else has or believing we should have it. I am sure we’ve all at some time in our lives felt envious of someone else. A sibling, friend, neighbour or work colleague.
Envy can be a very strong emotion to carry. It affects our thoughts and actions. For myself it came from feeling less important and valued which made me feel angry and sad and, as the saying goes, ‘green with envy.’
When I was a young boy at Junior school, I was frequently envious of my friends and what they had. This was either physical items they had like a football, Subbuteo game, Scalextric or a nuclear family complete with a Mam, Dad, Brother, Sister & dog. A bit like a combination of the Waltons & Little House on the Prairie all wrapped into one. This always caused me distress as I compared them to my dysfunctional family, being passed from grandparents to my Mam & step Dad, to my Dad and back again.
Someone once said:
“He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.”
This was so true for me and negatively impacted my friendships.
Thomas Browne said:
“Let age, not envy, draw wrinkles on thy cheeks.”
Over the years I have learnt that being envious of others has a bigger impact on me than those that I have been envious of.
“Our envy always lasts longer than the happiness of those we envy.” – Heraclitus
The more I have learnt to appreciate the good things I have and look less at what others have, the more inner peace I seem to have.
The following quote is so true:
“Envy comes from people’s ignorance of, or lack of belief in, their own gifts.” – Jean Vanier
Let us keep on believing in our own abilities and not allow ‘envy to become an ulcer of our souls.’
Enjoy the game.
Written by Baz (Co-CEO). Originally appeared in various Programmes for Rotherham United games.
In-text photo by placement student Izy Lawes, Sheffield Hallam University.
