The Tinge of Jealousy

I feel it to a small extent - a little tinge of it -
those times I hear about
friends going on vacations to fun exotic places;
friends of mine receiving special presents from their husbands;
women I have known for ages getting plastic surgeries,
losing weight, and looking now like models;

Anyone who does not feel a tinge of jealousy
toward those who are receiving the very thing
one is longing for in one’s own life
I think would not be human!
But most of us can rise above the tinge of jealousy.

All of us are gifted in one way or another.
We need to have security in who we are,
and gratefulness for all the gifts uniquely ours!
Most likely, those whose good fortune we might covet
are looking back at someone else with a tinge of jealousy.
Nobody has everything they want!
We cannot know the many facets of a person’s soul -
their hidden insecurities, their dreams left unfulfilled.
Maybe there exist a few on a higher plane
with not a jot of jealousy inhabiting their heart.
Until we reach that higher plane, 
We need to be as happy as we can be.

Congratulate successes of your peers.
Swallow any little bitterness and know. . .
with hard work, you can achieve successes in your life.
Imagine your dream and go for it!
That thing which is of the uttermost importance
will be the thing for which you ought to strive.
What drives you? What brings you the most joy?
Once you’ve answered those few questions,
take stock of your own life.
Are you doing all you can, despite even facing 
possible hardships in your current situation?

Don’t sit back and daydream.
Force a smile if you have to.
Be happy for life’s winners.
Envision a dream that is attainable for you;
work for it, being grateful all the while
for the talents you already have.

Those with low esteem or prone to idleness and greed
will not want to do the needful things.
They will feel the tinge of jealousy; then let it fester.
Growing and growing, it will manifest itself
in acts of hideous deceit, or worse,
jealousy can lead to murder and revenge.
It happens all the time, 
for it’s the root of nearly every crime!

Breathe. . . and let out jealousy.
Feeling jealous means that you are human,
 but never go beyond the tinge of it!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Tor Avatar
September 19, 2015 at 7:02 PM
Nice win Andrea. Congratulations....
Tor Avatar
September 17, 2015 at 7:07 PM
Congratulations on your win Andrea
Y. Avatar
September 16, 2015 at 4:52 PM
Andrea, congratulations on your win:-) Alexis
Cheema Avatar
September 16, 2015 at 5:15 AM
Thoroughly enjoyed the first verse! Congrats Andrea!
Allison Avatar
September 16, 2015 at 3:06 AM
Dropping back with my congrats:-) hugs jan xx
A. Sharma Avatar
September 15, 2015 at 11:36 PM
Wonderful write on jealousy Andrea n a great win! Big congrats!
A  Avatar
September 15, 2015 at 11:19 PM
Andrea, congratulations on your win. Thank you for the support. Love SKAT
Gibson Avatar
September 15, 2015 at 7:11 PM
Well said, Andrea. I admit I feel it at times, but, thank God, it has never gotten a foothold in my life. I have known people who were so eaten up with jealousy it destroyed them and those they "loved." Congratulations!
Horne Avatar
September 10, 2015 at 3:57 PM
yes, such truth here, Andrea
Marcum Wong Avatar
September 10, 2015 at 7:33 AM
Wisdom springs from your words Andrea!
Nayak Avatar
September 10, 2015 at 5:23 AM
Dear Andrea....wow! So true....to be jealous is human but we should have only a tinge of it and not beyond...for in excess even nectar becomes poison...well a7! For the advice and message...you have magic in your pen! (I say i am jealous....but only a fraction of the tinge!...kidding dear).....loads of love, Anu:-)
Beaufort Avatar
September 9, 2015 at 6:50 PM
This is very, very good thinking. A little jealousy is only a sign that we need to do better ourselves It is not something to drive our behavior directly. I may have a tinge of sadness here and there, but praise the lord--jealousy is not hiding in me so far as I can tell. Life is just too good!!!
Anish Avatar
September 9, 2015 at 3:48 PM
William Blake wrote about jealousy. I have felt jealous myself as I presume you and most of our readers have. Stimulating work! Peace & Love Matthew Anish
Ober Avatar
September 9, 2015 at 9:45 AM
"Never go beyond the tinge of it" - I love that! This poem is so full of truth and excellent advice. If you think about what truly gives you joy, I think a lot of people would find they have everything they need already.
Thirtyseven Avatar
September 9, 2015 at 8:33 AM
A most important message, and you handle it with a sincere pen. So well written. Ben Jonson once wrote a line -in a poem about jealousy- that has never left me, "that others should not warm them at my fire".
Allison Avatar
September 9, 2015 at 7:38 AM
Wise words indeed Andrea - a very powerful message.Good luck in the contest:-) hugs Jan xx
Nance Avatar
September 9, 2015 at 6:34 AM
Wise words...Jealousy is a destructive demon if left to accumulate power..Your poem is so..comforting..saying it's okay you'll have these feelings but don't let them turn bad..such a calm approach to soothe a beast.
Andresen Avatar
September 9, 2015 at 3:17 AM
- Wise words to live by, Andrea - A skilled and great poems! - Hope your day will be beautiful :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Manassian Avatar
September 9, 2015 at 2:45 AM
Advice that we should all take to heart, my dear....Thank you for sharing this powerful message. Hugs
Tor Avatar
September 9, 2015 at 1:48 AM
Andrea what deep truths you have uncovered here. You are so right! We all can see a part of us in these examples of Jealousy. Loved your remedies. An exceptional poem with a worldly experience.
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