"People often grudge others what they cannot enjoy themselves."

Sometimes, people feel jealous or resentful when they see others enjoying things they themselves can't have or appreciate. It boils down to a sense of unfairness or envy, and it's a pretty common human reaction. Think about it—haven't we all had a moment where we felt a twinge of bitterness because someone else had something we wanted but couldn't get?

This sentiment has been around forever. It could've been said in ancient times or yesterday on social media. Humans have always struggled with envy. In the past, perhaps a farmer might grumble about a neighbor's lush crops while his own fields lay barren due to a lack of rain. In modern times, it could be as simple as scrolling through Instagram and feeling a pang of envy when you see someone vacationing in a place you can’t afford to visit.

Let’s put this into a real-life scenario. Imagine Sarah, who loves painting but never had the chance to pursue it seriously. She works in an office and spends her days buried in paperwork. Then there’s Lisa, her colleague, who took a leap and became a full-time artist. Lisa’s work is celebrated, she’s featured in galleries, and people are buying her paintings left and right. Sarah, stuck in her 9-to-5 grind, finds herself feeling resentful. She starts to belittle Lisa’s work whenever it's mentioned, saying things like, “It’s just trendy stuff—nothing special.”

Sarah’s grudge stems from her own unfulfilled desires. She can't enjoy the life Lisa is living and instead of celebrating Lisa’s success, she lets envy tarnish her view. This kind of grudge can be toxic. It doesn’t hurt Lisa—she’s busy thriving. It hurts Sarah, who becomes more and more bitter.

So, how do you apply this wisdom to your own life? First, recognize the feeling. The next time you catch yourself feeling envious or resentful, take a step back. Ask yourself, “Why am I feeling this way? Is it because I want what they have?” Then, think about what you can do to change your situation. If you’re envious of someone’s job, maybe it’s time to explore new career paths. If it's a personal achievement, perhaps set small, achievable goals to get you on the path to your own success.

Now, let’s dive into a relatable story. Picture two friends, Jack and Tom. Jack’s always wanted to run a marathon but never made the time to train. Tom, on the other hand, dedicated himself and just completed his first marathon. Jack, instead of congratulating Tom, makes excuses like, “Well, if I had that kind of free time, I’d do it too.” This attitude doesn’t change the fact that Tom accomplished something great. All it does is make Jack feel worse about himself.

Jack could flip this script. He could use Tom’s achievement as inspiration. Maybe he asks Tom for training tips or decides to start small with a 5k goal. By channeling that envy into motivation, Jack can turn a grudge into a growth opportunity.

In the end, it’s about self-awareness and action. Recognize when you’re feeling envious. Figure out why. Then, do something about it. It’s all about turning those negative feelings into a positive push forward.