Maxim Monday: Be jealous of no one

Last updated on: January 6, 2014 at 7:30 am by Niki Whiting

Maxim Monday: Be jealous of no one 2014-01-05T16:32:18-08:00 Niki Whiting

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Welcome back to my Maxim Monday series, where we look at the values and advice given by the Delphic Oracle. We’re only about half way through all of the Delphic Maxims!

“Be jealous of no one” – this is great advice, for all spheres of life. Wanting what another a person has can be quite motivating or inspiring. What causes problems is the negativity and resentment that can come with wanting what other people have. If we start dwelling on what others have, we start to view our own possessions or qualities through a lens of lack. I have witnessed people sink into a victim mentality – some one always is ahead of them, they’re always left behind; others always have more, and what they have is never enough. This sucks the contentment out of life and prevents gratitude and joy from flourishing.

Allegory of Jealousy by Luca Ferrari

Jealousy, with the resentment and bad feelings it breeds, can hinder all of our relationships and ultimately derail what might otherwise have been positive goals of attainment. Any sphere of life can and should be guarded from jealousy: home and family, friendships, our professional lives, and…… our religious/spiritual/magical lives.

I see jealousy sprout its ugly head in the wider Pagan communities from time to time, usually when people start talking about Big Name Pagans (BNP). Sometimes I see people pretending to be more advanced or bigger deals than they really are, and this too is a form of jealousy – wanting the perceived esteem or experiences others have. While I think most of us engage in some form of ‘fake it til you make it’ at some time or other, and we should absolutely critique the BNP phenomenon, if for no other reason than to help keep our community leaders and representatives accountable, there is often more than a hint of jealousy expressed in both of these expressions.

So how can we keep ourselves from feeling jealous of others? I have two suggestions: a practice of gratitude for the blessings we have been given (be they opportunities, people, or things) and focusing on our own work. Both of these suggestions keep us focused on our own lives and work, and creates space for further blessings. Why should the gods, our boss, our partners, or anyone else continue to gift us with opportunities if we are ungrateful for what we’ve already been given and then use or enjoy those gifts to their fullest extent?

So let us not be jealous of one another, but instead bring the fullness of our own experiences and blessings to the wider community. I have gifts that others may not have, and I’m certain you have talents and perspectives that I don’t have. There is no race to enlightenment, nor any trophy for being the Biggest, the Best, or having the Most.

Be jealous of no one.

Previous Post

January 3, 2014

2014 Begins

Next Post

January 7, 2014 Shiva the Witch God

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Alaska altar altars Ana Ancestors Anderson witchcraft Arddu Bhairava Biography bodies books Christianity Christmas community current events death Delphic Maxims Dhumavati dual observance Durga Faery family life feminism Feri Feri tradition Feri witchcraft food ganesha gratitude Guest Post guru health Hinduism holidays Jesus Kali Lakshmi land links magic Many Gods West movie review movies music my heart mystery myth Navratri Orthodoxy pagan pagan culture paganism pantheacon parenting Place politics polytheism practice pratice prayer Red Goddess review ritual sacred arts Samhain Saraswati Shinto Shiva singing Star Goddess Tantra tarot the Gods theory Uncategorized values virgin mary wales washington winter witchcraft year in review yoga

Select a Month September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Jude urges believers to contend for what?

Select your answer to see how you score.

The faith that was once for all entrusted to God's holy people The crown of righteousness Their inheritance in Christ Justice and mercy