Sometimes I struggle with jealousy. Not jealousy of a lover but jealousy over the successes of others. Sometimes I feel so small that when I look at someone else getting an awesome accolade for their achievements I say “Why not me? Why was I not noticed? Why have I not done enough to get noticed?”. When someone excels at what they do, sometimes I say “With them doing so well, will there still be room for me? Will others still see me?” When I help someone succeed, instead of being the proud teacher I say “Will they need me anymore? Now that I’ve passed on my secrets am I still special?”

Deep inside me I have a philosophy about how the world works and how I must operate within it.

Part of my philosophy says: “There’s only so much love out there. You better hoard your share or there’ll be none left.”

Part of my philosophy says: “If it’s good for them they’re stealing a piece of what’s good for you.”

I don’t like this philosophy. I didn’t choose it. I inherited it from somewhere and it’s time to let it go.

Now I say “Love is abundant. The more I share it with others the more I will be open to receive.”

Now I say “When others shine. I gain.”

Now I know that I can celebrate their success because their abundance is my own.

Now I know that I can build them up because we stand on each others shoulders. What makes them greater, makes me greater.

Trust me – what makes a philosophy true is your belief in it. There are few *universal* truths. Why not have a belief that makes room for us all to be richer?