Desiring to live fully is natural and there’s nothing wrong with that—it’s an innate part of being human. We long for friendship, love, competence, security, and even adventure. Without these desires, we might lack the motivation to pursue a fulfilling life for ourselves and those around us.
However, our souls suffer when we excessively desire something that others possess. This feeling, known as envy, takes a normal human impulse and, like a cancer, causes it to grow far beyond its normal proportions. As envy intensifies, it displaces happiness in our lives—not just momentary pleasure or daily satisfaction, but also the sense of meaning and purpose we attach to our lives.
In all these ways, envy erodes happiness and offers nothing in return. 1. Distorts Perception of Reality 2.
Lowers Estimation of Your Own Worth 3. Resentment Towards Others 4. Chronic Dissatisfaction With Your Life 5.
Loss of Focus on What Matters 6. Withdrawal From Relationships 7. Wasted Time and Mental Effort 8.
Lack of Gratitude for Life’s Simple Pleasures 9. Shame and Self-Neglect When philosophy, science, and common-sense morality all agree, wisdom dictates that we take their conclusions seriously. There is nothing to gain from envy and everything to lose.
Be vigilant when you cross the line from simply wanting something good—to being unable to enjoy life without it—to resenting others for possessing what you desire and becoming fixated on acquiring it yourself. Happiness, it turns out, .
