We all remember the famous advertisement of Onida TV, which says, “Neighbours Envy..Owners Pride,” and as kids, we used to wonder what it meant and fell in love with the devil in the advertisement. As we grew up, we slowly realized the meaning of these words, watching people nearby commenting, passing remarks, and making fun.
One day, while taking my normal evening walk in the park, I sat down on the bench to rest for a while and overheard a conversation between two ladies seated on the next bench. It went something like this:
First Lady: Did you hear about the new Mercedes Mr Bajaj has just purchased for his wife? Second Lady: Yes, I got the news last evening, and today morning I saw it parked in their garage. First Lady: Mrs. Bajaj is such a lucky lady; her husband showers her with jewelry, cars, latest clothes, and she is never in want of money. No wonder she has her stuck-up nose. Second Lady: I agree; she is really lucky, and I get jealous of seeing her like this… look at us … our husbands never take us out, never buy us new jewelry or clothes … a new car is just a dream for us.. we have to be happy with our second-hand cars.
Both ladies went on bickering about their husbands, family lifestyle, status, while envying Mrs. Bajaj’s life.
This made me think… why are we not satisfied and grateful with what we have, and why do we always crave and want what others have – is it jealousy, competition, status, or just wanting to have a feeling of superiority and one-upmanship? Will our lives really change if we have all that our neighbors and friends have? Why can’t we be happy seeing others’ success? Why do we always have to compare ourselves with others?
In all this, we forget the simple truth that “all that glitters is not Gold”. We fail to see the superficial cover over this and make our lives and those whom we live with miserable by complaining. Instead of being jealous and comparing lifestyles with others, we should learn to be humble, grateful for the life we have been blessed with.
It is a tough choice, I agree, but it is not impossible.
The moment we stop being jealous and stop comparing with others, we will realize all the hidden pleasures and comforts that keep us in a warm cocoon and bind us together as a family. Earth provides for everybody’s needs but not for everyone’s greed.