Rookie » When Good Things Happen to Other People

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  • Rookie » When Good Things Happen to Other People
    http://rookiemag.com/2013/04/when-good-things-happen-to-other-people

    It’s an ugly way to feel—unhappy because of someone else’s success—but human beings are often ugly. And I’m willing to bet that you’ve felt the same way. Here are some things that can make you go insane when they happen to people who are not you: Getting a boyfriend! Making out with a girl at party! A great SAT score! Getting into a good college! Having cool parents! Wearing jeans that fit well! Having big boobs! Having small boobs! Coming out of the closet! Editing a super-cool magazine! (...)

    • The world is out of your hands, no matter how organized and dedicated and deserving you are. Every person you momentarily think has everything? Guess what—they don’t. They have problems you don’t know about, and are jealous of other people (and maybe of you). It takes up too much of your precious, wonderful energy to resent other people. Instead, use that energy to motivate you to work even harder on your next project, whether it’s a new zine or your AP history exam or, yes, your next novel. Because all you can truly control in this life is yourself. Being happy and content in my own skin is what has truly saved me from falling prey to fits of jealousy. Find whatever makes you the happiest and do that, over and over again. Soon enough, golden tickets will rain from the sky, and everyone around you will cheer

      #ressentiment #impuissance