Green the color of envy

Hello Darlings,

Today we will deal with a topic that we often neglect, but it has been on our daily menu since childhood and is not our fault! I want to talk about envy in a workplace or business surroundings.

I’m afraid that a high number of us have been somehow affected by this feeling during our careers.

The majority of the time, the little signs are not notable at first. A sour smile here and there, then more often opposition to our ideas or recommendations, without any objective reason. Snarling comments upon expressing our opinion, raised eyebrows when we meet, or some kind of disapproval of our appearance or rhetoric. Being mostly unaware of other envy, we first think we did something wrong. We even start to behave nicer to them, thinking perhaps they are right or just sensitive.

Only after a long passage of time and situations in which they slowly reveal themselves with comments, gestures, or even actions, do we begin to understand what it is all about.

Reading online about the definition of the noun “envy” I have found that it is: a “feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or luck”.

So as we see by definition, it can’t be our fault under the presumption that we are really just doing our thing and minding our business, as it is a matter of somebody else feelings toward us. And the main catch is in the word feelings.

A feeling, if not truly caused by our doing, is misleading and a creation of a bruised ego. There is no reasoning behind it, only envy.

Let’s talk a little more about envy because I have experienced it too, and due to my loving upbringing, it took me years to understand that I’m practically a victim of somebody else’s envy. So it does happen that because of our good home upbringing and willing nature, we often suffer and endure more than we should.

Sometimes our colleagues and superiors, when they realize and see that we have knowledge and skills that could threaten their position or function in the company, even start to build a network of lies around us or manipulate opinions by teaming up against us, by making false statements and by ignoring us. This is by definition of Labor Law most probably in the majority of States described as mobbing.

Why is it important to be aware of manifestations of envy? Firstly, we should not tolerate such criminal behavior. Secondly, if allowed to persist for too long, it can disrupt our functioning, even causing us to quit our jobs or be falsely fired. All these consequences have an impact on our lives.

It is a well-known fact that after the loss of loved ones and divorce, the loss of employment is a big blow, which can permanently harm a person. It can cause us to fall into a whirlwind of unnecessary questions, such as: is it up to me? Or did I make a mistake somewhere?

It is my opinion that we need to open our eyes and diagnose whether it is envy or something else. If envy, then we need to use available means to protect us.

The first line of protection would be open communication with an assertive tone. However, we have to be realistic and admit a very low rate of good outcomes in this case. Why?

Well, if an individual is a grown-up person and still has envy problems, obviously they didn’t work on themselves throughout the years and if the foundation of their personality is weak and unwise, there is a very low chance that they will listen with understanding. Also a low chance of reconciliation.

Furthermore, if their interests are in play, such as wage, function, money, or else…they will think and act strategically. This means that they will be more into manipulating your job notice than reconciliation. In their heads, it is only logical. God forbid they would work on their ethics or behavior?!

For all of you who found Yourself acting from a place of envy, please, be aware that all causes have consequences. Being someone who “stabs in the back” other people just to ensure your position is wrong. First, if you think someone else deserves Your position, then You most probably compare Yourself; and by comparing You have already lost. You have to work on your self-esteem and skills to start being worthy of your position. Second, as the Bible verse Romans 2:6 says “God will repay each person according to what they have done.” Karma is not some mystical creation invented to scare people, but a direct consequence of our actions. We do reap what we sow.

For those who have experienced envy and suffered significant losses as a result I can only honestly be sorry and say that I understand and have some kind of shame transfer for those who hurt you.

I can only forwarn you to be wise enough in the future to recognize the maltreatment and to battle it with intelligence and legally available means. A good person endures, but we also have to know, that it is our legal and human right to defend ourselves when threatened our lives and psyche.

Envy diminishes our worth and can lead us to bad decisions and even to harm others. Please, fight it!