how do mentally handle it when you see someone more fortunate than you (ie: more money, cooler girlfriend, better looking, sweeter social status, etc)?

2 distinct and common answers:

1. to feel jealous because they are able to experience something that you would like to, but are presently and perhaps permanently unable to. this is especially difficult if you want to experience all life has to offer, as im sure many people do.

2. a more spiritual approach where you think of mankind as one large energy mass. the benefit of an individual somehow makes the whole collective better even though you are unable to share in the glory at the present.

if you have an interesting differing method, please explain.

 

[QUOTE=dyhppy,Jun 11 2008, 12:39 AM]how do mentally handle it when you see someone more fortunate than you (ie: more money, cooler girlfriend, better looking, sweeter social status, etc)?

2 distinct and common answers:

1. to feel jealous because they are able to experience something that you would like to, but are presently and perhaps permanently unable to.

 

I wouldn't say I get jealous, period, over material things. For starters, I lived the first few years of my marriage on next to nothing while I finished my engineering degree. So, I've been in some pretty tight financial situations but I was still happy. Sure, I wanted to be out of the situation but what I do and do not have doesn't really affect my overall happiness. I don't focus on it.

Nowadays, I make a decent living at a great job, have a beautiful wife and daughter, have the car I wanted since it came out, own a decent house, have some great friends, have very little debt, and have a fair bit more financial freedom. However, I would sell my house and car in a minute if I had to and, while I wouldn't enjoy it, it wouldn't kill me or anything.

My personal possessions don't define me or my happiness. I am always looking for ways to make my life easier (financially) but ultimately, I really couldn't care less. Been there, done that, and was just fine making a lot less money. Enjoying friends and family is a whole lot more important and, truth be told, I spent more time doing those things when I had less money. With money comes "things" and those take up more time, usually.

I have friends and family that have massive homes, expensive cars, lots of toys, vacation homes, and better jobs. I couldn't care less. I'm happy when I see someone that has worked hard and gotten to a "successful" point in their life.

About the only time I am not nearly as happy for the person is if the person has gotten the money through inheritance or something and is a complete idiot as a result. I'm not jealous of them, though, I just can't stand to be around them.

If I see something I really, really want, I work towards it. Jealousy has no part in that.

 

I would say I pretty much could care less...I am happy with my life and where I am in it. Then again I have everything I want....

 

Shit happens. You have to make your own way. I admit I had it pretty good, but I took that and improved on it. Life is what you make it. I met a guy yesterday 40 years old with severe Ankylosing Spondilitis. He's come to accept his fate.

 

I am jealous because you know big words. What exactly is that condition?

 

Pretty much the same thing as Sisboombah Spontilititus?

 

If you don't get jealous, there's nothing to handle. Get your spiritual mass out of my spiritual ass.

 

Just once, I'd like you to say what you really think...

 

Have you considered sabotage?