What at all is referred to as being “envious”? Is it mearly having thoughts of resentment or a feeling of grudging desire to have something that is possessed by another? Does envy, as we have been made to understand, always drive hate? Its connotation, as we have come to know, seems unclear and I think we may want to have a chat around that.
Envy, I think, can in certain cases, drive positive emotions. This positivity is that which I find quite interesting. That bright side of envy, I will say, manifests when people use envious feelings as motivations to improve themselves and or their societies.
Imagine having a friend or knowing one who sets out to do so much good as s/he helps society to get elevated from its deplorable state. This person’s strive and significant progress has further touched your heart so much so that you strongly wish you give in much effort as well to help the vulnerable. What kind of envy do you think this situation presents?
We should know that “Benign envy” contrasts with “malicious envy”.
Envy, we all know, is a natural human emotion and this can lead to two things;
1. You can either let envy corrode your sense of self-worth and the well-being of your social relationships. Discretely, you will want to be like them (those you are envious of) but your ego and envy leads you to hate them and prevents you from incorporating those qualities they posses to progress.
2. You can rather turn the passion of envy, you have for someone, into the power to improve yourself and to serve humanity in better ways. By admiring and learning from such persons you envy and incorporating their unique qualities towards achieving those great strides, as well makes envy a motivation.
For me, it all bores down to intention. Envy accompanied with hate and resentment is a wasted emotion. The goal should not be for you to compete with others who are making real positive strides but to compete with and be better than your former self— by taking inspiration from good works around you. Benign envy is that which we should be emotional about.
Who do you envy, my friend? Feel free to envy positively.
Peace!