Those are 7 major things to watch out for out here they have a 7 deadly sins group and that is what we talk about, thanks for bring this up it is reminder I need to get back to that one. Thank You.

for me jealously is a very bad sin to have as it eats away at your soul , i have had to work on this subject as i had jealousy issues and i found out that it was all to do with me and my thinking,

both are manifestations of self,which will eventually lead me back to drinking.Both have proved spiritually unhealthy to me.
My sponsor points out to me many times,as he did a little while ago when we met,what others do is none of your business.
right
what others do is none of my business
what others have is none of my business

got ya buddy

peace comes from that
when I am concerned with what others do or have,then I get uneasy
I ought to focus on something else,and not on them and fear does not crop us as easy.
envy and jealousy are two different things and both can bring resentment......and if i hold onto resentment long enough,it brings me a drink and I die
so,envy and jealousy can lead to other spiritual sicknesses for me.
and I shut myself off from the Sunlight of the Spirit and quit being of service.I wither and suffer and those around me wither and suffer a lot of times.It rally sucks.it sucks being me when I am jealous or envious,and I would say those around me say it sucks being around me.

I posted something that discusses jealousy and envy in a little more detail that ain`t too bad

by the way DHG,fantastic topic,many thanks !

Part of the dictionary definition of jealousy states that jealousy is "a state of fear, suspicion or envy caused by a real or imagined threat to one's possessive instincts." It also says that jealousy is "a zealous desire to preserve an existing situation or relationship." Both of these states of mind, no matter how we look at it, prevent us from living our lives as happy, loving people who are getting the most out of all our gifts.



The envious side of jealousy has been covered on the "envy" page--envy is a reflection of our dissatisfaction with ourselves, our desire to be like someone else or have the things that someone else has. The dictionary's definition of jealousy is interesting, though, in the fact that it includes the concepts of fear and suspicion, two other elements of life that definitely keep us from getting the most of our lives. I may be jealous of the newcomer in the office because I'm afraid that he or she is going to take my job, because I see qualities in that person that I don't see in myself. Or I may be afraid that my wife or girlfriend is going to like this new man she just met better than she likes me, again because of qualities that I see in that person that I don't see in myself.

Which brings us to the second element of jealousy, the one that's incredibly common among people--the "zealous" desire to maintain a relationship. The jealous person is a horrible person to be in a relationship with, for that person shows no trust at all in his or her partner. While the jealous person sees his or her actions (which are covetous) as a sign of his or her love, everyone else sees the actions as the obsessive traits that they are--an obsessive desire to possess, beyond any doubt, another person.

envy is deadly no matter if your are in sobriety or not.

peace.

If you envy people it could cause you all sorts of problems, you have to be satisfied with yourself and your own abilities, we all have something that we can do better then someone else. Don't beat yourself up too much. I have to watch out for all 7 of them or get my program all messed up.

Envy is ego in action. The ego doesn't realise that what you have right now is wonderful joyfull bliss potential-everything you're searching for is already within you, but the ego doesn't know it.

The ego sees attainment of things, including people, poower, wealth, high esteem by others as necessary for the good life.

Simply watch the ego in action as it squirms out thoughts of envy. Do nothing but know that is those thoughts and emotions of envy are themselves the ego needing your undivided attention.

Ask God to remove the thoughts as they arise.

Thanks for the topic and the GREAT replies!

i was raised a catholic.......i hug mom for giving me the choice when the time came.......

i always figured that the "7 deadly sins" are our weakness'. they had to be categorized to justify. the only sin you can commit is one that goes against your heart. after all......that is the common denominator that connects you with your higher guidance.


then again, i am jealous of those who manage to time out red lights when i'm in a rush.

I think that you do not have to dim another person's light to make yours shine brighter....ya know?

For me, it is great and actually fun for me to "compete" against myself, improve "me" daily. I can get stuck where I am jealous of things other women especially have that I want....then I need only to think of how far I have come in the last two years to be happy with where I am. I believe I can have what I need if I work hard enough.

And I always remember too, no one's life is what it seems, we all struggle. We all get old and die, we all get sick, we all grieve...no one is immune no matter what "perfect facade" they may present.

i do know what you mean :) and yes life does not come with a guarantee . all too often we look for the perfect scenario. i think the perfection comes in making a stranger smile

BIG HUGS and hope you have a great weekend.

Jealousy ----- someone is trying to get something I have

Envy --------- I want something someone else has.

Once I knew the difference between the two I was able to deal effectively with them. Until then though I was doomed to be wrapped up in one or the other or both and not knowing which was which.

Confront jealousy. Most can't think when preoccupied by the self-imposed pain, so it's best to admit to your jealousy. There's no need to feel ashamed about it, jealousy is a valid emotion all humans have in some form. And as with most emotions, by acknowledging it, you can learn from it. I had a worksheet from rehab on jealousy, and it advised to follow this path...

- Acknowledge your jealousy.
- Escape from it (take a break, even to a cafe),
- Talk out your feelings (someone who is not involved),
- Write out your feelings (journal)
- Meditate on your jealousy (make a friend to it),
- Keep busy. (don't brood, get active),
- Pray, and
- LAUGH

For me envy and jealousy are driven by fear - fear of losing what I have or of not getting what I want. I try to cultivate a faith that I will always have/get what I need.