Oh how life is so good.

I was greeted by all three horses at the gate, each taking a dose of lovin’.

I knew I needed myself a dose of horse medicine.

They start pushing and shoving each other to get closer to me. It makes me giggle watching them get envious over affection, it’s not like they don’t get enough!

I want to talk about envy for a minute. We’ve all experienced it, it is a natural part of the human experience. Whether it’s simple pangs of “I wish!” to full blown envy – there is usually something much deeper than the envious feeling itself.

Envy is defined as: a painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to posses the same advantage.

As I sit in the pasture, surrounded by a dense fog left over from an exceptional thunder and lightning storm all night, I realize envy is actually quite a gift. It can empower you to make positive changes in your life. Engaged thoughtfully and responsibly this feeling can clarify your motivations, help you discover hidden talents, enable you to develop self-mastery and promote you to exercise integrity.

Used constructively, this emotion inspires us to excel.

When I’m triggered with envy and going through my process, I sit with it and explore the meaning behind the emotion. I acknowledge what it is that I am envious about and what about it that makes me envious.

Then, I begin to get curious how I can bring “it” (whatever I was envious about) into my life.

Soon, I’ve replaced envy with clarity, motivation and gratitude.

When that green eyed monster rears it’s ugly big head – stare RIGHT through it and do the work to understand and apply the learning.

An example for me is when I see someone who’s in really great shape, glowing and energetic. Instead of thinking something like “oh she must have lots of time” I think “I love when I’m feeling that good!” and I recommit to my health.

Or, when I see someone who’s successful in the same line of work as I, instead of thinking “oh she’s got it all figured out, she has all the ‘followers’, is there even room for me?” I think “I’d love to ‘follow’ her, see how she does it and learn from her”.

Maybe someone got the job, promotion or recognition you wanted or thought you deserved?

Maybe an ex has moved on?

Maybe someone has the lifestyle you want?

Maybe someones kids are way more ________ than yours? (Academic, athletic, artsy, etc.)

Maybe it seems like it all comes easier to someone?

Maybe someone has a lot more money than you?

Maybe someone is thinner or fitter than you?

… you catch my drift.

Envy generally refers to the thoughts or feelings of insecurity and fear. It is looking through the lens of lacking.

Envy often comes up when we’re currently not in alignment with the Universe and trying to force something inauthentic.

Envy is a sign of an energetic imbalance within our body, mind and spirit.

There is no need to feel guilt, shame or resentment around our envious feelings, use them as a tool in your growth toolbox and then release them.

When you’re feeling envious, ask yourself what it is about this person or situation that you wish to have/experience? What inspires you about them/it? What can you do to achieve similar success? How can you bring more of “that” into your life?

The sky would be awfully dark with just one star.