Ignore the haters in your life

How many people have you come across in your life who have been envious of something you possess or have accomplished?

Maybe it's the new car you bought or the Hamilton tickets you managed to snag. Perhps it's the promotion you landed as a result of your hard work. Or perhaps they envy your fairytale-like marriage.

While I've emphasized that material possessions don't bring us lasting happiness, you have every right to acquire and enjoy whatever you please. As long as you're not spending recklessly and hurting yourself or others in the process, what you buy with your hard-earned money is no one else's business.

People should focus on themselves and quit worrying about what others are buying, whether it be cheap or expensive.

The problem is that human beings have this seemingly unshakeable tendency to compare themselves to other people.

Certain individuals can't live with the fact that others may have a better house, a prettier spouse, or a higher position. They may not necessarily care to pursue certain things for their own sake, but only to best someone else.

It's ridiculous and speaks not only to their immaturity, but to their deep-seated insecurities.

Why is it so difficult for some people to just be happy for others? Why does everything others do have to reflect on them?

Just because someone has something you perceive as better than yours doesn't mean they have a better life as a whole. You never know what battles they face, whether health-, family- or money-oriented.

That seemingly-perfect marriage could be falling apart, they could have a sick relative, or they may be up to their eyeballs in debt. In other words, there could be more than meets the eye.

Chances are, they're envious of the lives of other people even though they give the appearance of living in sheer bliss.

Once you notice that someone tries to put a damper on your happiness, don't share details of major life changes and purchases with them. Instead, reserve that privilege for the people who take visible delight in your highs.

The bottom line is this: When someone is jealous of something you have, don't fret. Smile. It only means you're doing something right.

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