Get Rid of Pride, Insecurity, and Jealousy - QUICK & EASY!

 

 You've come to the right place if you are like me and struggle with societal pressures. Nowadays, there is a lot of pressure on teens and adults: who they should be, what they should be doing, and where they should be financially, physically, and sexually by a certain age. This pressure has made many people feel as if they are missing out on life. I deal with such emotions daily. I feel like I'm not enough for my friends, family, relationships, and even new acquaintances I meet with. This emotion is a deep insecurity and pride; I want to be the best and show everyone I am. When I'm not at my best, I feel lower in value. However, during the past few weeks, I found the answer. It is a simple concept; everyone can apply it to their own mindset.

Do you know the saying? 'The grass ain't always greener on the other side.' Yes. This saying is true. But let's dive deeper into the psychological aspect of the human brain. We humans are a primal species. I naturally want to be better than the next human because it means I have a better chance of mating and surviving. Because this instinct is so strong within us, when we are in situations where we're not ahead of the race or in pace with everyone else, we feel we aren't valuable to the world or anyone else. Sometimes, we may even contemplate our own existence. What if I told you there's a way to change a part of this competitive instinct to something more sophisticated only using your complex thinking? Allow me to present a new way of looking at life.

 The CURE to this emotion that has been eating us up for decades is to live life as if you have no advantage or disadvantage. I call it 'NA&ND' or 'NAND' for short. I will explain a hypothetical situation between you and a neighbor where you take a look at his fancy house. You then look at your house and say, "My house isn't as beautiful as his. I hate my house." The neighbor might be thinking about his home, like, "I put a lot of money and time into this house. It looks nice, but I wish I had spent less. Their house over there looks decent enough. It's small and looks easy to maintain." So, while looking at how fancy his house looks, you can't see the benefit of having a small, non-spacious home. You also can't see the negative that your neighbor is facing, which is the time and money he spends on his house. In your subconscious competitive mind, you say, "He's doing better than me." That emotion right there stems from the natural instinct of wanting to be the best.

There is even a disadvantage to being the BEST. When you are the best, you have to deal with the problems that come with it; everyone expects you to excel, and when you aren't the best, folks wonder what's wrong with you. On the positive side, people rely on you! They also trust you are confident to exceed in anything you do! When you are the worst, you have to deal with the problems that come with it; you aren't seen as valuable, and you aren't trusted with serious matters. On the positive side, because you aren't expected to be great when you do something great, people give you cheers beyond the best! You also aren't put in serious matters, which means you have more time for yourself and leaves no room for accidentally messing a situation up! The KEY is to understand that you DON'T have an ADVANTAGE in anything you DO, and you DON'T have any DISADVANTAGES.

 As humans, a big part of our insecurity stems from how our bodies appear to potential mates. Everyone has a unique shape and body type: Slim, big, bulky, petite, shapely, curvy, healthy, athletic, and flexible; all bodies have advantages and disadvantages. So why be jealous of someone else when everyone has their problems? Would you replace your advantages with someone else? Can you handle their disadvantages? How would that pan out for you? It's easy to think, "If I had arms like him, I would be happier." Or, "If I had a butt like hers, I would be a happier person.

Would you? If you were anyone different than yourself, you would have a whole other host of problems. First, you wouldn't be you! Second, you would be stuck being the person you imagined is better than you; you would have to deal with their problems. What if that person with the 'perfect' body has a disease you don't know about? Would you like to be in those shoes? Think about it. If you have slim arms, there are advantages and disadvantages. You aren't usually put in situations where you must carry heavy things! Less strain on your body because more muscle and fat add pressure to your body! You aren't seen as strong on the opposing end, and some folks may tell you to eat or lift. This may sound bad in this example, as no one wants to be told they need to eat. But again, there are advantages and disadvantages to this; friends and family will most likely give you a bigger plate! We will dive into more profound concepts of life later on, and you'll be able to grasp a few things that will help you discern the importance of things like this. Even famous bodybuilders have problems, a problem you would never dream of having! Again, the answer is to not think you are better or worse. Look at yourself in the mirror; examine yourself like you always do.

Don't compare, and don't try to find things on your body that might be better than someone else's, "My abs are flat, but my legs are HUGE." That's great, but stop seeing what is better. "My back muscles don't even exist..." Exactly... So because you saw one aspect of your body as decent or above average when another part doesn't match up, now you aren't enough. So you're saying you would trade in your body for nice back muscles? Just say, "I'm grateful for my body's glory and defects, and because of this body, I can do the things I do." There is also a fine line between acceptance and ambition. If you want nice back muscles, work for them! But understand that when you achieve them, you have no advantage over someone who doesn't. The KEY is to be grateful for your positives and negatives. NA&ND is the answer. Gratitude is the resolve.

 Most folks may pride themselves on their relationships and some on their ability to remain chaste. However, both have advantages and disadvantages. The key is examining both worlds and recognizing that either is no better or worse. So why be jealous of someone else's world? It doesn't matter if you are a virgin, a person who wants to remain celibate (i.e., forever single), a hopeless romantic, or even someone who gets all the guys and gals; Each category of persons have their issues to deal with. If you decide to remain a virgin until you are married, that comes with its advantages and disadvantages. First, you will have intercourse with your first person!

Second, you will create an unbreakable bond! The disadvantages are; First, you'll miss out on sexual and romantic experiences until you find your person. Second, people might call you a nerd or laugh at you for being a virgin. If you decide to remain celibate, First, you won't have to deal with the responsibility that comes with commitment and family! Second, you won't have to worry about anyone cheating on you; you'll also have more time to focus on your dreams and goals without worrying about what your partner thinks! The disadvantage is that you won't ever experience the bond that only comes from marriage. You also won't ever receive sexual gratification from a partner. If you are someone who gets all the girls or guys; First, you get to have sex and the unmistakable high that comes from romantic experiences! You bond with new people and are given status based on your plentiful experiences! The disadvantage is that you'll have to deal with the heartbreak that comes with frequent relationships, and you'll also have to deal with the possibility of getting cheated on. Even people with perfect marriages and families have issues. Some folks say they wish they were single instead of living with the disadvantages that come with being attached to another person. It's like the ones in relationships are jealous of single folks, and single folks are jealous of the ones in relationships! Many people cannot see their unique situation and value their own path; it is YOUR STORY. You don't have to live exactly like the next person because it is traditional. Everyone has different relationships. Humans are not robots; we have thoughts, goals, desires, and dreams. Let's not be so linear, then? If we are as diverse as we claim to be, why not actually be... Diverse? Have your own story to tell, but if you don't have one, remember there isn't a better option. :p

The last part of this message may seem hard to understand, but try to see the beauty in what I'm about to say. Even death has its advantages and disadvantages. You may think you have an advantage over the dead, but they are the ones who've actually won the race! Isn't the grave where you are going? All the work you've put into yourself will be swept away from your feet as soon as you leave. So, while you mock the elderly for their old age, you are light years behind in the race!

Revelation 21:1-27: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also, he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” ...

Isaiah 35:5-6: "Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will burst forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert."

2 Peter 3:13:

"But according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."

Ephesians 2:8-9:

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

1 Corinthians 10:31:

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

John 3:16:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

 Everyone has a special gift that is given to them. You use them everyday whether you realize it or not. The main goal is to remove the feeling of 'I'm doing better than them' and 'I'm doing worse than them.' At the end of the day, there is no better or worse in this world. It just is. Love is not a double-sided coin so why would the world be if we were made to love? Isn't that why you chase after the thing you love... no matter what? Think about it.

 It can be confusing because if there is no advantage or disadvantage, what's the point of doing anything? Believe it or not, we choose our advantages and disadvantages daily. When you wake up, you select your advantages and disadvantages. If you decide not to brush your teeth, there are A&Ds. If you choose to brush your teeth, there are A&Ds. The choice is in your hands. Pick each set of A&Ds that you feel is right in your gut and do it.

Just be. Do the thing you are enjoying. If you want your dreams to come true, chase that dream! that job, that house, that car, that view. Chase that! That friend, that girl, that wife, that husband. Chase after them! That chill, secure, single, ambitious lifestyle. Chase after that! If you choose any or none of these lifestyles, you aren't any better or worse! You have not succeeded or failed. You have them. Be grateful for them. Cherish them.

Success is a lie. Failure is a lie.

Love, humility, and gratitude is the answer.

NA&ND has provided me a new outlook on life,

and it can do the same for you too.

 In the end, if the ones who have passed away are already ahead of us, why should we live as if we are doing better or worse than any other being in this giant cosmic jacuzzi floating aimlessly in outer space?