Some thoughts on envy

[sydnie7]

Ran across this in a magazine and it seemed appropriate to share here at The Mark.

SEEING GREEN >> No, we don't mean Earth Day but the green-eyed monster, envy -- and it turns out there's an upside. Recent studies found that craving what you don't have sharpens both memory and attention to detail. Researchers theorize it's because envy is linked to vision (the word comes from the Latin invidere, which means to look with malice or an evil eye). But while coveting gives the brain a boost, it also creates mental fatigue. Bottom line: Be grateful for what you've got!

-- Family Circle, April 2012, page 20

We joke a lot here about cravings and envy. There is certainly a lot of "memory and attention to detail" involved

Mostly (perhaps 99.44%) it's tongue-in-cheek and harmless. Just watch out for that other 0.666!

[tyger]

Just watch out for that other 0.666!

Amen, sister. Devil can be in details.

As I get older, I want less and less. I want better, in most cases. But that takes on many dimensions.

For example, I really wanted a fish-fryer to keep at my little fish shack. I kept my eye out, and found one sitting next to somebody's trash can the night before trash pickup.

I could not be more pleased.

[Tartan Tess]

WooHoo Tyger
SCORE!

[Pleater]

I think that I am being honest when I write that I really don't need any more material possessions than I have now - and could probably do with less clutter in the place.

I know that I don't need a larger house, as the clutter will expand to fill the space.

If I need any garment I can make it, I have enough shoes for all the walking I will ever be able to do in my lifetime - unless my feet change size for some reason. The furniture is OK, the car is fine - maybe I should get around to doing some decorating, freshen up the paintwork around the house.

I don't think grateful quite fits, though - more content.

There would be little difficulty in acquiring more things - but it would not give me greater contentment, it could easily make me less happy than I am at present.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Geoff Withnell]

I have a wife that loves me and thinks I'm sexy; children and grandchildren that think I'm great, a career that I'm good at and pays reasonably well, and I'm healthy enough to do the things I want to do. If I envied someone else, I would deserve to have lightening strike me. Instead, I thank Whoever is running things, and plan to enjoy it all as long as I can

Oh, and just to keep on topic for the forum, I also cut a fine figure in a kilt!

[bigdad1]

Good post Geoff and well said. I have to get in line with your statements. I too have a wonderful new wife who loves me more than I ever expected to be loved, a good job that I mostly enjoy, I live in San Diego which we consider heaven and I have two wonderful daughters I am terrible proud of. Life is better than ever. And Sydnie is responsible for most of that happiness.