Call it the green-eyed monster. Call it spite, pettiness, insecurity. It's not a very satisfying way to live. How does one rid oneself of envy?
6 Comments Posted
I can identify with this article. I have struggled with the same problem of envying people who I think are smarter or look better than me. I printed out your article and am going to try to change my outlook to a more positive one. Thank you for your advice.
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I may be a Lutheran and you may be Jewish, but believe me we all can suffer from ENVY from time to time. I really enjoyed Mrs. Shuchat's article, particularly the section about honoring others for their accomplishments. When I do that, it removes the self pity I sometimes indulge in. I am free to strive to do what I do best, rather than sit around envying someone else. Someone said to me, "When you envy someone, you have to walk in their shoes." The grass isn't always greener.
Sometimes it's easier to ENVY, than to WORK!
Thanks for a great article.
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Dear Chaya Shuchat:
This is an excellent article on envy. This article was very helpful to me. I have been struggling a lot with envy and jealousy recently, and looking for good middos (character traits) articles on improving in this area.
I am a female member of Jewish Renewal, and, like Chaya Shuchat, am a writer, part-time teacher, and several other simultaneous careers, so Chaya Shuchat's perspective was greeted by me with great sympathy and appreciation, and gratitude for her thoughts.
Many blessings on your good work,
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Very interesting article. But what is judaism's stance on envy when you're the victim of it? when others regularly show their envy towards your accomplishments with snide remarks and mean attitudes. What to do?
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Very good article...I think envy is its own best friend/worst enemy...some people bond over mutual envy of a third party and some are at odds with everyone/thing because of their envy, that's when it's a worst enemy!
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I was in attendance of women's spiritual meeting and 'green with envy' was the topic. I was reminded of my own negative envious moments as well as appreciation of others as gratitude replaces envy. In researching the topic Tomas Aquinas has some of the most thoughtful ethical discourse on the topic. Envy is a mortal sin, daughter of sorrow and rooted in fear. Noting that envy is a human condition, awareness and correction are required to place it in proper perspective. Thank you for your timely observations.
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