How do I stop being jealous of material possessions?

Question

I'm jealous of a lot of people but even more so with my close friend. I find it hard to be happy for him. How do I stop becoming jealous of other's possessions?

Answer 1

There are two things that work combined:
a) Stop believing that external things give a man more value. A man has a great value with or without great possesions, big or short money, one or two legs, etc. A man is his escense, his inner quality, and there is the deposit of his value.
b) Stop thinking that material things in your hands have a meaning different from if they are in somebodys else hands. Admit that you may be selective: are you jealous beacuase of a better car or for a better microscope? because of a better house or because a better insect collection? Admit that you are selective, material things are temporal, at the beginings everybody wanted a cellphone, now, everybody has one, material things can start a possesive race if you allow it.
Forget about understanding the value of people (and yourself) by checking possessions. Try better to check ONLY your escense, your values, your principals, that reforce your own and high value, and you will notice that material possesions offer no value to no one, and therefore, no reason to be jealous.

Answer 2

There is an imporant thing to know about possessions. They POSSESS YOU.

Most especially when they are seen as such a PRIZE.

Your most precious possession is YOU.

Get things into perspective here.
What EXACTLY are you JEALOUS of?

Is it their ability to earn more than you?
Is it that they just have GOOD TASTE?
Is it that you feel INFERIOR to them because you dont have what they have?

Define the FEELINGS that are underneath the emotion and you will find your answer on how to stop the jealousy.

You have taken the first step, you have ASKED the question. Now for the intersting bit. Discovering where that journey will lead you.

Answer 3

Somehow I think you're under the impression that if you could only have 'things', you would be happier. If or when you come to the realization that the things that actually make you feel filled up and happy cannot be purchased at a store or a mall, you will be able to feel happy for your friends when they acquire 'things' that you now covet. It's funny, but when you reach that level of emotional completeness and maturity, you will find that your friends can actually feel the difference and it will improve your friendships in a palpable way. I think the fact that you have come to terms with your feelings and are interested in making a change has you on your way! Good luck with finding the puzzle piece that fits the void in your life--it's not in your friends' possessions!

Answer 4

Most of the time we are jealous of others when we are not happy with ourselves.

You have to wish the best for others. When you do, I think you will find that it will make you a much happier person.

We all came into this world with nothing, and we will all leave with nothing. Material possessions are not important. Religion would also show you that.

Answer 5

I don't know, because that's one problem I don't ( well 99%) have. When your friend dies, he can't take his things with him. Possessions are not important, nor are they substitutes for loving relationships. Only people are irreplaceable. For me, it is really important to make the best out of what I've got, rather than bemoaning what I don't have. Here in the US, even the poorest have many advantages over the rest of the world. I'm most grateful for all that has been given to me, starting with shelter and running water, and continuing on. It might be help you to make a gratitude list. Good luck!

Answer 6

One thing I do when I look at what someone else has and get jealous is to make a mental list of everything I have that I really like. When you look at yourself and see how much you actually have, it's easier to be happy for other people. Plus, if you look closly, most likely, you'll find something that you have that your friend doesn't.

Answer 7

I've never had much in the way of material things, but I'm so happy with what I have. Thank God for my great attitude. Maybe if you start looking at what you have and be thankful you won't have so much time to be envious of others. You're not alone many people are just like you.

Answer 8

"Stuff" doesn't last, especially as status symbols. They're really expensive toys and they don't make anyone happy (I know this because of the years I've amassed a lot of stuff, and the only thing that has made me really happy are my loved ones and my job). Concentrate on the things that DO last that you have - family, good health, whatever.

You're not obligated to feel "happy" for your friend having more "stuff", so don't put that kind of pressure on yourself. Time straightens out this kind of thing. So don't beat yourself up - you feel what you feel. Just don't wallow in jealousy for *too* long.

Answer 9

Are you happier than everyone you know who has less than you do ? How long does some new possession make you feel better than you did before you got it ? Is your friend really happier than you are because of the stuff ? Besides, if he's your close friend you can probably borrow things !

Answer 10

Do not be so hard on yourself. as humans it is our nature to be jealous of material things,As long as you don't wish your friend anything horrible,its normal to wish for material things. I think what can help is for you to set a goal and try to achieve something,like be great at sport or study something new,money isn't everything you know.