Envy

en.vy
(n) /painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage

My dearest Adia,

Envy is one of the deadly/major sins in many religions & beliefs. It is dangerous and easily be done / convicted (unlike other sins like pride which required some achievements or exclusivities to be done). Envy can struck in many opportunities. We will be exposed to it since we are merely a “tiny dust” in this vast universe, and by chance we will see much thing greater to trigger it.

Envy is dangerous because it will consume oneself and lead to destruction (for oneself and others). For example if someone has envy to other (achievement), in the worst case it may lead to the effort of taking others down by any means necessary. The sad part is you’ll find these cases “common” and not hard to find (the more you ages). Though envy can take or start as “small”, it is a seed and closely related to many form of other sins like greed, wrath and lust.
Take a close look to your neighborhood, society, or even environment. There are many destruction occurred for something based on… envy.

The real question is, what is the “cure”? As human being we are born with the “disease” (instinct to convict these sins), but there’s always ways to suppress it, and some of them are through “gratefulness” and “generosity“.
Islam (our mother religion) have always taught us to become grateful of whatever we have. It is good to look up for “motivation” to make us a better person, but we should also look down to see how blessed we are, thus we should be grateful. Gratefulness should be done with modesty or humility.
Envy can also be overwhelmed with generosity. Sharing is a good example of it. Sharing can be done in many ways, though if we don’t have much (in possession). Sharing can take part in small things, starting from what you have like knowledge, food, wealth, and even power and time. I believe you’ll figure out more ways later.

The hardest part is that all of these are easier said than done. I want you to keep this in mind whenever, wherever you are and whatever you do. I know you’ll be great.

Love,

Abah