"هرگز آدم حسودی نبوده‌ام و آنچه که این به من یاد داد این بود که می‌خواهم چه کسی باشم"

Being someone who doesn’t feel jealousy has taught him a lot about the type of person he wants to be. It's not just about avoiding the green-eyed monster; it's about understanding yourself on a deeper level. When you don’t get caught up in envy, you learn to focus on your own path and appreciate what you have. You find contentment within yourself, and that’s pretty powerful.

Historically, this sentiment could be traced back to the teachings of ancient philosophers like Epictetus or Marcus Aurelius, who emphasized the importance of focusing on our own actions and attitudes rather than being concerned with what others have or do. In a personal context, perhaps he realized this trait about himself after several instances where he chose to celebrate others' successes rather than coveting them.

Take, for example, a friend of mine, Jess. She works in marketing in a highly competitive field. Her colleague got a big promotion, one Jess had been eyeing for a while. Instead of being bitter or resentful, Jess threw her colleague a party. She genuinely celebrated her success and used the moment to reflect on what she could do to reach her own goals. Jess knew she didn't want to be the kind of person who was consumed by jealousy, so she focused on her strengths and what she needed to improve. It wasn't about ignoring her own ambitions but about staying positive and supportive.

How can you apply this in your life? Start by recognizing when you’re feeling jealous. That’s the first step. Ask yourself why you feel this way. Is it because you think you’re lacking something? Often, jealousy is more about your insecurities than the other person’s success. Once you identify that, you can work on those areas. Instead of being envious, try to learn from the person you’re jealous of. What did they do to achieve their success? Can you apply any of those lessons to your own life? Shift your perspective from one of envy to one of admiration and learning.

Imagine you’re at work and a colleague receives praise for a project. It’s easy to feel a twinge of jealousy, right? But think about this: what if you used that moment to improve yourself? Instead of sulking, you could go up to them, congratulate them sincerely, and then later, evaluate what they did right. Maybe they put in extra hours or brought a unique angle to the project. You can do that too, with some effort and dedication.

Let me tell you about a time when I had to put this into practice. I was part of a local writing group, and one of my peers got a publishing deal. Initially, I felt a pang of envy. Why wasn’t I getting published? But then I realized, that’s not the person I want to be. I congratulated her and asked if she could share any tips. She did, and guess what? Her advice was invaluable. I learned a lot, and more importantly, I built a positive relationship instead of a resentful one.

So, the next time you feel jealousy creeping in, remember who you want to be. Someone who lifts others up, who focuses on personal growth rather than comparisons. It’s not always easy, but it’s definitely worth it.