Our Dark Side – Jealousy

As I stare at a title I myself typed out, I paused and wondered about this aspect within us humans called the ‘dark side’. I wondered whether this dark side is actually who we are and maybe we are meant to reflect on a part of us that is hidden – the light side. Maybe this journey about life is about peeling of this dark side so that we can allow the light side of us to shine.

We all try to see the good life has to offer and in this world of duality we have that choice of what we choose to see. I don’t think the dark is meant to be bad in totality – it’s a matter of perception. I think even too much of good can also be bad.

Hence it goes back to the same old thing called balance – its to acknowledge the dark within us and then reflect of what the light aspect is.

I wanted to explore the subject of jealousy in this piece.

Now we can get jealous for various reasons but the underlying aspect of jealousy is an indication that we want something someone else has. On the flip-side of jealousy lies a desire of want. Rather than simmer in jealousy, why not do something positive about it. When jealousy is in total control we then move to take something that does not belong to us. We need to strive to ensure that we are turning this energy called jealousy to say passion, will and/or drive.

You could be jealous because your friend has more friends than you. You could be jealous because you think someone is doing a job that he or she likes and being recognised for it.

Remember, that is just your perception, you seeing through the veil of jealousy. You have created this perception because you are lonely or you do not like the job that you have. So, why the hell are you focusing on that person when your job is to focus on yourself? If you feel you want more friends that go out there and take an EFFORT to be a friend. If you don’t like your job, then go and do what you like or do the same thing the person you are jealous about is doing.

I think that this aspect of our dark side comes from our experiences but at times I think it can be in-built. Parents need step up to that role of ensuring their children are provided a more positive environment or alternatively we ourselves need to do that for ourselves. Parents with multiple children do have favourites and if this very obvious, you have created that seed of jealousy within your child. Yes, it can’t be helped but guess what, you just need to step-up to the role.

I think that as long as we are in this world of duality, a world where we think or feel we need to be better than someone else – in this generation, it is getting more ‘likes’ on our social media posts, we need to pause and ask -why? Are we striving for our personal success or are we trying to just outbeat another due to our jealousy.

So, rather than berate ourselves for having jealous thoughts and/or emotions, let us try to flip that energy to be our drive to go out and get that which another person needed to show us was something we wanted. Thank this person because this person has brought out a desire – but rather then letting this desire be burnt by the fire of jealousy, let the fire be your drive and ambition.

Take care everyone and remember to be kind to yourself and be kind to others.