“Kids don’t remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.” -Jim Henson.
We all know the pangs of jealousy by the time were deemed adults. However, for some of us the green monster left it’s former residence from under our beds and instead follows us around. I used to over analyze and compare myself and that old neighbor would sneak up on me. Except after I had the realization that everyone has a hard time in one way or another, you simply cannot compare yourself. Besides I have grown to like who I am, problems and all. Of course I’m not completely devoid of conflicting emotions, but when that green monster becomes so small you nearly forget about him the world gets better. When Life lacks the presence of jealousy it’s freeing. To no longer worry or compare oneself leaves you loads more time and moments to focus on yourself. Pretty soon you’ll find that when jealousy leaves so does envy. Now were talking not just more freedom, but the ability to run wild in the streets! The less you let these petty emotions dwell in your heart the more room you’ll have for love. Not only for yourself but also for other people too. I have found my lack of jealousy or envy to be refreshing.Firstly I don’t bother wasting as much time any longer. The elimination of that distraction and more time has culminated in being more content and focused. It has allowed me to experience more happiness and brainstorm more ideas that excite me. When I was able to shrink the green monster into a more manageable size He bothered me less and less. Oddly enough what did the trick was ignoring him. Rather then his voice becoming louder it slowly quieted down. As I get further and further away from being a child, I learn that perhaps I was actually more intelligent back then! Surely I was even more straightforward, honest, and not afraid to blurt out the truth and nearly embarrass someone. The difference now being that I have more tact. However, it turns out Kermit the frog had a valuable life less to share with me after all these years. Sometimes going backwards allows you to better move forward. Not unlike those wind up cars you pull back, only to let them go and send them flying forward. Soon after the massive stroke(see here) I complained nearly everyday that I was going backwards rather than forward like I should be. However, I’m beginning to see that going backwards is not so terrible after all. Besides as it turns out, I was more open,content, and smarter as a kid!
Cheers and childhood years,
