<p>I, like many people, have my insecurities. I’m insecure about my hair, my time management ability and my work habits. I have been insecure about these things for a while, which is why I’m working to improve them.</p>
<p>But for some strange reason, I don’t get jealous very often. I’m usually thrilled when other people do well because then I feel as if I can learn from him/her. I used to think that most people are like me. However, the more I interact with others, the more I realize that this is not true. Envy is a lot more common than I initially thought. </p>
<p>People get jealous of other people’s cars, education, bodies, hair, jobs, husbands, etc. It’s insane. Does anyone else notice that envy is common, or is it just me?</p>
<p>Also, how do you diplomatically handle jealous people? And how do you keep them from being jealous.</p>
<p>Self deprecating humor will disarm them.
Jealous people are insecure as well and cannot be sincerely happy for anyone.
You can’t handle others’ feelings, don’t waste your time.
Work on feeling good about yourself.
No one will love you until you love yourself-taken from a fortune cookie.</p>
<p>If you look at it ‘technically’, jealous/envy is a form of species improvement and motivation. You see something that your minds says is ‘better’, and you want it. How you work to get that is another matter.</p>
<p>It can be quite destructive at times. I’d say this: try to guide people to the ‘how do I get to that place’ discussion. If you can’t then they are probably not people you will enjoy being around for very long.</p>
<p>I get along very well with someone who is determined that her child is Absolutely The Greatest Thing Since Sliced (wholewheatmultigrainextremelyhealthy) Bread. How? I simply acknowledge the magnificence of Little Loaf at the beginning of the conversation, work in a compliment to LL’s parents, and sooner or later Mom comes around and we have a very nice conversation. She even asks me about how my kids are doing and manages not to sneer too loudly about it.</p>