The gift of the little green monster

Have you ever read or heard someone else’s good news and felt a little (or a whole lot) jealous?

Have you ever questioned why they got to get the great spouse or fabulous house or high-paying job? If you’re anything like me, you have.

Here’s my story.

A few months ago I saw an ad in a magazine that featured a fellow life coach. She’s a wonderful person and an incredibly talented coach. Yet, I felt a bit jealous that she was right where I wanted to be. She was featured in a national campaign in a major publication.

She was somehow living the life I desired.

I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking these thoughts and feeling these feelings.

When the thought became visible (we have over 60,000 thoughts a day so it can be hard to catch the dirty little buggers) I decided to examine it under a microscope to discover if I really wanted what my friend had.

The process started with a few questions.

What do I really want my career and coaching business to look and feel like?

How do I want to help my people?

Do I want to reach my people the same way she’s reaching hers?

What I discovered is that I don’t want her life or her business.

I want something different.

I want to work with a few clients a month, write life-changing books, speak to a few groups a year and enjoy working from the comfort of my own home.

In that moment, the little green monster faded into oblivion and I felt relaxed and happy.

In this honest and transparent space I could be happy for my friend.

I could visit her Facebook page and leave an honest congratulatory message. After doing that something interesting happened.

I was overcome with an incredible sense of gratitude for the life I’m living right now. At that moment I knew I was where I belonged and doing what I needed to be doing.

It reminded me of an email I received from my dear friend Trish a few weeks ago. She wrote, “Imagine this…that someday you’ll look at where you are right now with a little envy that you weren’t as busy now as you will be, and think with regret at how you maybe didn’t appreciate your free time when you had it! Keep goin’ girl.”

Her message brought tears to my eyes because I knew what she meant – enjoy your journey right now because soon it will be different. Cherish this moment and be happy.

How can I be envious of some else’s success when I’m surrounded by this kind of love and support?

I can’t.

I encourage you to keep an eye out for the little green monster this week.

Inquire.

Question.

Then allow the gratitude for all that you already have pour forth from unknown places like it did when I read the email from my dear friend Trish.

I truly believe you won’t get what you truly want until you can be grateful for what you already have.

Remember jealousy is just a sign that you’re focusing on what you don’t have instead of all that you do.

Take a few minutes today to look at your life in a completely different way.

What special gifts and talents do you bring to the table and how can you do more of that?

Then do it. Share it. Love it.

Before you know it your life will be filled with people you love, work that feels like play and experiences you’ll treasure for a lifetime.