The Secret Benefits Of Jealousy

Jealousy has always been one of the most reviled “sins” of the human existence. “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s ...” the commandment in the Bible instructs us. While one should not dwell in jealousy and allow it to fester, there are some ways you can use this emotion to propel you to a more fulfilling life.

Control your jealousy for self-improvement; don't let it ruin your friendships.

1. Learn more about yourself – Instead of dwelling in the jealousy, you have the opportunity to evaluate the reasons for your emotions. You may be jealous because you want more for yourself from your job, friends or relationships whether it is intellectual stimulation or other rewards. You may be jealous because of previous loss in your life such as the abandonment of a parent thus feeling jealous of people with both parents. Whatever the case, you can use your jealousy to learn more about yourself and the motivation behind your emotions.

2. Pursue your dreams – Now that you have learnt more about yourself and your jealousy, allow those feelings to help you determine what you want for yourself. If you want a better job, take the necessary steps, such as classes, to achieve that goal. Sitting and marinating in your jealousy will get you nowhere. Determine what you need to have a happy and fulfilling life and pursue that goal passionately.

3. Improved Relationships – If you have taken the time to learn more about yourself and to strengthen your sense of self, you have to potential to become more confident in your relationships with others. You value yourself more and know that you are worthy of love from yourself and others. Therefore, when feelings of jealousy threaten your relationships and friendships you are better equipped to confront those emotions head on. You may determine that those feelings have no basis in fact as you trust your partner and friends implicitly and therefore refuse to sabotage your relationships. You can calmly and responsibly decide what your next course of action will be.

You can grow from jealousy, using it to propel yourself to a better life. The key is not to dwell in the jealousy but to use it to learn more about yourself and what you want from life and your relationships with others. That will empower you to pursue your dreams while improving how you interact with others.