Why Do We Always Think the Grass is Greener on the Other Side?

Exploring the Inner Workings of the Mind and Finding Happiness in the Present Moment.

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I've been there before, going on social media to post my content (or simply scrolling endlessly while in the bathroom 😅) and seeing my friends and peers accomplishing amazing things. Suddenly, I start to feel inadequate and jealous. I start comparing myself to them and wondering why I'm not further ahead in my career.

It’s a path very easy to go down if I lose my focus, but I have learned how to stop it in nanoseconds and I will show you below.

So, once my thoughts start to run down the jealousy lane, I remember the absolute truth about my life: I am exactly where I am meant to be, living the life I am living, in this exact part of my journey.

It's a hard truth to remember sometimes, especially when I face a challenge and we're constantly bombarded with messages telling us that we should be doing more, achieving more, and having more. But when I think about it, it's kind of beautiful. I am unique and special, with my own set of talents, skills, and experiences. There is no one else in the world like me.

Furthermore, what truly brings me peace and helps me come back to my center, is knowing that here, right now, in this moment in life, where I am, with what I have, doing what I am doing, knowing what I know, I’ve never been happier. And that is all I need to know to know that there is no life I’d rather live than mine. There is nothing I’d rather be doing than what I am doing right here, right now, writing this post sitting on my bed, watching my 2- year-old daughter take a nap, hoping she doesn’t pee on it (she’s being potty trained).

And honestly, that's something to celebrate. That amazing shift in my mindset. When I can focus on all the good things in my life and be content with where I am, everything else just seems to fall into place. I know it's easier said than done, but trust me when I say that it's worth it.

For example, the other day I saw a friend post about their latest success. She had just landed a new job that sounded amazing, and I couldn't help feeling a little envious. But then, I took a deep breath and reminded myself that I am exactly where I am meant to be. I have my unique path, and I shouldn't compare myself to others.

Instead of focusing on my friend's success and feeling jealous, I decided to celebrate it. I sent her a message congratulating her and expressing how happy I was for her. And you know what? It felt good. It felt good to be happy for someone else's success, rather than feeling envious.

And here's the thing: when we can truly be happy for other people's successes, it only brings more happiness into our own lives. Jealousy and envy only serve to bring us down, but when we can learn to celebrate the successes of others, it lifts us as well.

So, when I hear about someone else’s good news, when I see something on social media, when I witness someone else’s success, and negative emotions start creeping into my mind, in a nanosecond (at first it may take longer, but it0’s a muscle that can be developed just like the biceps), I bring all my wisdom and awareness into my mind instead and immediately it turns my thoughts into gold, light, beauty, happiness for me and true feelings of happiness for my friends.

So my advice to anyone else who might be struggling with the consequences of comparison, envy, and jealousy: focus on the good things in your life, remember your journey, your path, and your goals, and be happy for the good things that are happening to you right now and learn to be happy for the good things in other people's lives too. Trust me, it's a much more sane and peaceful approach to life.

I've also found that practicing gratitude helps me stay centered and content with where I am. Every day, I take a few moments to think about all the things I'm grateful for, no matter how small. Maybe it's a good cup of coffee in the morning, or a kind word from a friend. Whatever it is, taking the time to acknowledge those things helps me to stay focused on the positive.

And when all else fails, I remind myself that I am exactly where I am meant to be. In this exact part of the process, I am living the life I am living. And honestly, I've never been happier. I love what I do, and I'm so grateful for the people and experiences in my life.

So the next time you find yourself feeling a little envious of someone else's life, take a deep breath and remind yourself that you are exactly where you are meant to be. Focus on all the good things in your life, and be happy for the good things in other people's lives too. Trust me, it's a much happier way to live.

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