There is always a lot of rivalry amongst people. In fact, it’s usually what ails the world. Jealousy of others, envy, insecurity and the list can go on.
I took this picture last week when I was in Arizona on a half work/half vacation & visit of family. Some of you might be a little bit jealous of the fact that I was able to enjoy 87 F weather (30 C) while it was about half that temperature in Seattle and likely colder in other areas of the country.
I will challenge you to consider that those feelings might not be serving you well and you would do much better to put your energy toward other thinking. Perhaps, how might you figure out how to go there if that is something you want.
One thing I know for sure, it is more important to focus on what you want, not on what you don’t want. And I don’t know about you but I don’t want to be jealous of others, it feels like a waste of my energy.
So in a world where it seems that rivalry and jealousy is commonplace, what can we do to create a different outcome for ourselves?
Dokkōdō Principle #7: zen aku ni ta o netamu kokoro nashi (善悪にたお妬む心なし)
English interpretation: Never be jealous of others, either in good or evil, Never be jealous
In the original writing of this principle Musashi writes this in a way as to not have jealousy (netamu) in your heart or mind (kokoro) towards others (ta o).
I think that one way to ensure that we are not allowing ourselves to fall into this trap is to embrace our own professional pursuit and personal mission.
I believe that being true to yourself and whatever your personal mission is can help you overcome this feeling of jealousy. When you are true to yourself and you live your life as you want it to be, you are able to share and embrace the life of others without feeling the need for jealousy.
I am not sure about how you process this jealousy after the fact, but for me it can lead to regret, and if you remember the last post I talked about the last principle which was to live without regret.
It seems to me that in order to find the work:life harmony that you are seeking, one needs to really embrace the self and the current situation that you find yourself in. This is something that I am striving to do as much as I possibly can.
So I will leave you with this and something that I am practicing each and every day: Understand and accept what drives you.
Those who are content in their lives and understand what they want create a greater space for others. When you are pursuing your own needs and strengths, you don’t have the mental energy to focus on others.
Follow your passions, passions lead you to happiness.
#ikigai #kokorozashi #noroomforjealousy #flow #worklifeharmony
Steve Beauchamp 
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