Envy
You want what they have
They have it, you want it, so you feel envy. Envy is not only felt for
material possessions, more often we envy people who are well regarded, admired,
influential, and successful. We wish we had their stature.
At its root, envy is feeling bad because a colleague has now achieved a higher
stature than you. It is an egocentric and selfish view of fairness.Definitions

- Wanting what someone else has [laz]
- Desiring other's stature objects
- Displeased about an event desirable for another [OCC]
- Feeling inferior to another person.
Envy is caused by a dissatisfaction with self-image—your perception of your
actual
stature. This dissatisfaction is also called low self-esteem—a
poor self-appraisal of your actual stature. Because you
feel inferior to the person you envy, envy is related to
shame. Envy encourages you to achieve higher stature.
You believe that “if I had what you have, then I would be happy.”
Note that envy and gloating have parallel structures. Envy is when you feel
bad because a rival did well, and gloating is when you feel good because a rival
did badly.
Related Terms
Jealousy and envy are closely related, and some writers regard them as
synonyms. In envy you want what you never had. In
jealousy, you are threatened with the loss of something you have (or thought
you had). Envy is a two-person emotion; I want what you have.
Jealousy is the three-person love triangle, I want who you have.
Coping
Wishing the best for your rival may be an effective way to
cope with envy. Reassess
the situation to determine if you truly need or deserve
the envied object. If you want what you have you will prevent envy. In any case, exercise the good judgment and self control to
avoid hostility. Listening to our envy
While becoming consumed with envy is destructive, listening carefully to our
envy can be instructive. If you envy that fit person you see at the gym, the
singing voice of your cousin, or the entrepreneurial success of your neighbor,
perhaps it is because these represent goals you would
like to achieve. Think carefully about what sincere desires might be triggering
your envy, use that insight to carefully reexamine your goals. Revise your goals if
doing so will better align with your authentic self. Other stature-Related Emotions
Envy is one of several stature-related emotions.
Contempt and gloating are kinds of reverse envy.
While we envy those with higher stature, we feel
contempt for those with lower stature. We gloat when we see others suffer a drop
in stature due to their own mistake. We feel compassion
or pity for unfortunate people with low stature caused by misfortune.
Intense envy can turn into hate,
anger, or violence if it is not constructively
coped with.
Paths of Envy
Understanding what can trigger our envy, what separates envy from jealousy,
and how we can resolve our envy helps us to cope with our feelings. The
following figure illustrates choices we have and paths we can take to either
prolong or resolve our envy. Use this like you would any other map: 1) decide
where you are now, 2) decide where you want to go, 3) choose the best path to
get there, and 4) go down the chosen path.
You may wish to print out this one-page version of the
Paths of Envy and Jealousy map.

This diagram is an example of a type of chart known by systems
analysts as a state transition diagram. Each colored elliptical bubble represents a
state of being that represents the way you are now. The labels on the arrows
represent actions or events and the arrows show paths into or out of each state. You
are at one place on this chart for one particular relationship or
incident at any particular
time. Other people are likely to be in other places on the chart. This is
similar to an ordinary road map where you plot where you are now, while other
people are at other places on the same map. Begin the analysis at the green “OK”
bubble, or wherever else you believe you are now.
OK: This is the beginning or neutral state. It corresponds to yourself
being free of envy or jealousy.
The green color represents safety, tranquility, equanimity, and growth
potential.
I want what you have: You see what someone else has and you desire it. You
believe that if you can get what the other person has, your
stature will increase and you will feel more satisfied. You may be desiring
their car, house, boat, vacation, or more likely their recognition, stature,
looks, health, fame or other personal attribute. Be careful here. Make certain:
1) that if you had it it would increase your genuine stature, not just your
futile stature seeking, and 2) you could actually get it.
Envy: They have what you want and you will be unhappy until you get
it. You are feeling badly about your low self-esteem and
you believe if you can get what they have it will increase your stature and you
will feel better. Maybe it will, but probably it will not. stature is more often
earned than acquired. A lot of energy is wasted in this type of futile stature seeking. It is better to understand your true needs,
recognize you cannot substitute material goods for well being, and work to meet
your actual needs. The yellow color represents the discontent you feel.
Needs not met: It is likely that your needs will not be met by by your
envy. Perhaps what you are seeking can't be transferred to you. This is true of
health, fitness, good looks, and many other non-material items. It is also true
of many material objects. Another common problem is that even if you are able to
acquire the object you are seeking, it may not increase your stature. stature is
more often earned than acquired. Staying stuck here is destructive; reappraise
and move on.
Needs Met, or Reappraisal: Either you get what you want and you feel
better, or you have increased your stature to that of your envied peer, or you reappraise the situation, recognize you don't
need what they have, and you feel better. Try wising the best for your rival
and see if you any feel better. “Sour Grapes” describes an
insincere disparaging of the object you originally sought. This allows you to walk
away and avoid a public humiliation.
A Buddhist Perspective on Attachment
Quotations:
- “To speak ill of others is a dishonest way of praising ourselves”
~ Will Durant
.
References
[laz]
Passion and Reason: Making Sense of Our Emotions,
by Richard S.
Lazarus, Bernice N. Lazarus
[Ekm]
Emotions Revealed: Recognizing Faces and Feelings to Improve Communication and Emotional Life , by Paul Ekman
[OCC]
The Cognitive Structure of Emotions , by Andrew Ortony, Gerald L. Clore, Allan Collins
[Gol]
Destructive Emotions: A Scientific Dialogue with the Dalai Lama , by Daniel Goleman
Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life: Create Your Life, Your Relationships, and Your World in Harmony with Your Values , by
Marshall B. Rosenberg, Arun Gandhi
|
Fear, Sadness, Anger, Joy, Surprise, Disgust, Contempt,
Anger, Envy, Jealousy, Fright, Anxiety, Guilt, Shame, Relief, Hope, Sadness, Depression, Happiness,
Pride, Love, Gratitude, Compassion, Aesthetic Experience,
Joy, Distress, Happy-for, Sorry-for, Resentment, Gloating, Pride, Shame, Admiration, Reproach,
Love, Hate, Hope, Fear, Satisfaction, Relief, Fears-confirmed, Disappointment, Gratification,
Gratitude, Anger, Remorse,
power, dominance, stature, relationships |