"Ne surestimez pas ce que vous avez reçu, ni n'enviez les autres. Celui qui envie les autres n'obtient pas la paix de l'esprit."

The core of this idea is simple: don’t put too much emphasis on what you already have, and don’t envy what others have. Envy is a surefire way to rob yourself of peace and happiness.

Historically, this idea goes way back. It’s from Buddha, who founded Buddhism around the 5th century BCE. He wanted to teach people how to find true inner peace, and this quote is part of that larger lesson. The idea is that constantly comparing yourself to others and wanting what they have only leads to suffering. It’s like running on a treadmill—no matter how fast you go, you’re still in the same place.

Let’s talk about a real-life example: think about social media. You’re scrolling through Instagram and you see your friend’s vacation photos from Bali. Then there’s someone else showing off their new car. It’s easy to start feeling jealous. You might think, “Why don’t I have that? I work hard too!” This kind of thinking disrupts your peace of mind and makes you unhappy with what you already have. Instead of enjoying your own life, you’re stuck longing for someone else’s.

So, how do we apply this wisdom in our daily lives? First, practice gratitude. Make it a habit to regularly think about what you’re thankful for. It might sound cheesy, but it works. When you’re focusing on what you have, there’s less room for envy. Another tip: detox from social media now and then. It’s like hitting a reset button for your brain.

Now, let me tell you a story. I once had a friend, let’s call her Sarah. Sarah was always on her phone, scrolling through everyone’s seemingly perfect lives. She had a good job, a nice apartment, and even a loving boyfriend, but she was never truly happy. She constantly compared herself to others—her coworker’s promotion, her cousin’s wedding, her friend’s new house. One day, it all became too much. She broke down, feeling like a failure.

I remember sitting with her in a café, trying to help her see things differently. We started by listing all the good things in her life. It was a long list. Slowly, she began to realize that her life was pretty great and that her constant comparisons were making her miserable. She started practicing gratitude every morning and took a break from social media. Over time, she found a sense of peace she hadn’t felt in years.

So, the next time you catch yourself envying someone else’s life, take a step back. Remember that everyone’s journey is different. Focus on your own path, and appreciate what you have. It’s a surefire way to find peace of mind. And who doesn’t want that?

In short, don’t overestimate what you have or envy others. It’s a recipe for misery. Instead, count your blessings and stay in your own lane. You’ll find life a lot more peaceful that way.