When Jealousy Holds the Key 🗝️
“Comparison is the thief of joy.” — Theodore Roosevelt
"Think of someone who stirs up jealousy within you. What do you admire about them? Be specific. Write down three things. Then ask yourself, what’s one step, just one, that you can take to bring those same qualities or experiences into your own life?"
I used to watch a friend of mine dominate every gym session. He had this unshakable discipline and laser-like focus. I felt a strange knot in my stomach every time I caught sight of him racking weights with ease.
Eventually, I realized my jealousy was pointing to a truth.
I wanted that discipline.
I wanted that sense of progress.
My envy unmasked a deeper longing, a hunger to transform my own chaotic schedule into a more structured, responsible routine. The moment I owned that feeling, I saw a path opening before me.
What started as envy turned into a call for personal aim.
Grab a journal. A scrap of paper. The back of a receipt.
Doesn’t matter. Just write.
Think of that person, the one who stirs something sharp in your chest. The one who, if you’re being honest, makes you a little jealous.
Now, list three things they do well.
Do they move through fear like it’s nothing? Show up for themselves every single day? Speak with a kind of raw honesty that makes people listen?
Now, turn the lens back on yourself.
One step. One shift. One tiny act this week to bring you closer to that version of you. Maybe it’s setting the alarm for sunrise. Maybe it’s carving out thirty minutes for a skill you keep neglecting.
Start small. See what happens.
“Comparison is the thief of joy.” — Theodore Roosevelt
Comparison can be a thief. A wrecking ball to peace. A shortcut to self-doubt.
But, if you’re paying attention, it’s also a mirror. A flashlight. A map. It points straight to the places you crave growth. The gaps. The longing. The next step.
Envy or insight, is your call.
Ever caught yourself envying someone—then had the aha moment? The Wait… I could learn from this realization? That shift from jealousy to insight?
What happened next? Did you take action? Did you hesitate? Did it change you?
Tell us everything. The stumbles. The wins. The unexpected lessons. We’re listening.
Jealousy isn’t the villain.
It’s a flashing sign. A direct hit. Proof of what you truly want.
Don’t shove it down. Don’t look away. Face it. Trace it to the source. Then—do something about it. One bold move. One small shift. One undeniable step toward the life pulling at you.
We’re all in this.
Learning. Unraveling. Becoming.
Keep pushing forward. Keep asking the hard questions.
And remember, rewriting your story starts with a single, deliberate choice.
— Ryan Puusaari
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