So the day came for our exam. We headed over to the testing area and were given instructions. The room was set up as an official testing area. Exams were kept in a sealed envelope and handed out once we were all seated and ready to go. The desks were lined up but seperated to avoid the chance of any wondering eyes. Once given the okay, we opened our exams and began. There were five sections on the exam, and we were given only 1 1/2 hours to complete it.
I had to laugh when I saw this image in my photo search:
This was soooo me during the end of our exam. There I was was cruising along at a slow and steady pace thinking that time was on my side. I was in the middle of the third section (linguistics, to be exact), when our supervisor informed us that we only had 15 minutes remaining. WHAT? Nobody was even close to being finished. After some negotiating, we managed to get an extra 10 minutes, but that was it. I some how managed to finish that third section, quickly struggle through the applied linguistics section, and scribble an essay out in a matter of minutes (not the way I like to write, by any means). Thank God, I was able to complete the exam. Many were not able to. So then the waiting for our results began. That brings us to NOW...two weeks later.
The bad news is that I scored much lower than I find acceptable (for myself, anyway). Without going into too much detail of my score, I can tell you that I scored in the 70% range. :(
The good news is that I had the top score. ??? I know. See how tough this exam was?
My supervisor did a nice job in keeping our scores confidential. I do not know most of my friends' marks. However, it was discovered about my "top score" and I just felt this feeling today. Not by all, but by some. And even though a 70-something % is NOTHING to feel envious about, I could feel that negative vibe from some people at work. And that leads to my post title...
Why is it so hard for people to feel genuinely happy for one another? Why is it almost human nature to feel that tinge of jealousy when someone does well at something? Why do we have to feel guilty for being good at something or for something we've been blessed with just because others are good at something else, and blessed with different things?
They say to be careful of what you wish for. But how about being careful of who you're jealous of.
Because if there's anything I've learned in life, it's that we all go through similar things, just in different ways. We are all blessed with our own special gifts and talents. But no matter what gifts and blessings a person has been given, that doesn't mean that their life is perfect. It doesn't mean that they don't have struggles. We are all human, we are all given tests. The important thing is how we manage to pull through those struggles and how we learn to appreciate all the good that we have.
We have to also remember how to be modest. You may be talented with something, but that doesn't mean you should go around bragging about it. You may have been blessed with something special, but that doesn't mean you should go around flaunting it. Be aware of how you carry yourself. Remember that just as easily as a blessing is given, it can just as easily be taken away.
The next time you get that tinge of jealousy, stop yourself. Remember that that individual could have gone through something really difficult in their life, or they could be going through things right now. So be happy for their good, and help cheer them up during their bad.
Wouldn't you want others to do the same for you?
I have to admit that I find myself getting pretty jealous lately. But, my jealousy isn't in the "oh you did better than me" way.. it's more in the "Hey, I did the same thing, why aren't I being recognized for it" sorta way. Why do we do it, though? Why do we constantly compare ourselves to other people and their rewards? Today we might not be recognized, but tomorrow will very well could be. It's something I need to work on. Instead of throwing myself a pitty party for being left out, I should just congratulate the other person. They worked just as hard as I did.
ReplyDeleteang, we have all felt jealousy. we're human afterall. i think it's one the greatest struggles we face. but if we knew the details of the one we're jealous of, it could change our feelings.
ReplyDeletefor example, i know someone who has been blessed with a lot of money and a big, gorgeous mansion. but she lost a 3 mth old baby and is a cancer survivor. she has so much to be grateful for, but also went through so many struggles as well. i would take my baby and my health over money and a mansion anyday. i'm sure she would agree with me. but these are the struggles and the blessings that she's been given.
at the end of the day it's not about material things, it's about inner peace and happiness. one of the ways to feel that is to be happy for others. more easily said than done, believe me i know, but very important for our own inner peace.