Jealousy

Opening:
I'd like to request all of you to close your eyes and imagine that you have won lottery worth $5 Million dollars. Now, imagine what you can do with that money. Imagine you are on a sandy beach with palm trees, blue sky, different shades of blue and green water and you are relaxing in a hammock. Feel how happy you are, how serene and peaceful you are.
Now imagine that the person sitting next to you has won $10 million dollars. Imagine what he or she can do with this money. Imagine that he or see is flying in a private jet, hovering over the clouds and it seems like heaven. You may open your eyes now.
Did you feel a tinge of jealousy while thinking about the second scenario?

Body:
Madam Toastmaster, Fellow Toastmasters and Honored Guests, this is what is Jealousy.

Jealousy is mental uneasiness resulting from success of others. It's a resentful or painful desire for another's prosperity. Jealousy is an indication that we are not satisfied with what God has given us.

A synonym of jealousy is envy.

Jealousy is a natural tendency. It limits us from sharing the joy of others success. It's observed that feelings of jealousy last much longer than feelings of anger and other similar emotions.
We feel jealous primarily related to known people, such as family members, friends, co-workers and acquaintances. We are not jealous of famous people like Bill Gates having 7 BR house with 24 bathrooms or Warren Buffett building a portfolio of $50 Billion dollars.

We are jealous when

• one of our co-worker is promoted
• our neighbor wins a jackpot
• an acquaintance made lot of money in stock market
  
• a friend buys a big house
  
• a fellow toastmaster wins a best speaker, best evaluator or best table topics speaker award

Religiously Speaking:

• The Holy Bible advises us to be content with what we have, for God will never fail or forsake us
• Islam warns us to be careful of envy, because envy destroys good deeds in the same manner as fire destroys wood
• Buddhism suggests us to use Metta Bhavana or feelings of friendship in meditation to control all negative tendencies including Jealousy

Causes of Jealousy:
Lack of self-esteem, self-confidence and self-belief are some of the causes of jealousy.

Jealousy can be controlled and avoided.
I suggest the following few steps:

• Just be aware of it
• Don't compare yourself with others
• Believe in "You get what you deserve and you deserve what you get"
  
• Count all the blessings in our life and be content with what we have
  

Conclusion:

I'd request all members and guests except for the timer to close your eyes again and imagine about the happy feelings of $5 million lottery winning. Imagine the serenity and peace. Now imagine you are driving a car and stopped at a stop light and see that this homeless man is pan handling for his meal for the day. Imagine you extend few dollars to this not-so-fortunate individual and drive away. Please open your eyes now. Did you feel this how fortunate you are for having what you have.

Mahatma Gandhi's advice:
To paraphrase "Whenever you feel depressed or sad, think of a person less fortunate than you".


Venu's Quote:
Like disease is precursor to death, Jealousy is precursor to hatred and bitterness; hence Jealousy should be controlled and avoided at the first awareness of it's occurrence.