Wendy Reichental When not working as a secretary for the prestigious McGill University, Wendy Reichental spends her time writing about things that irk her and wishing she could do this full time. In addition to enjoying writing, she enjoys giving her husband a good foot workout as she is a bonafide reflexologist. She holds a B.A. and Diploma in Family Life Education from McGill University. Tell A Friend About Us:

My Resolution to go Un-Green!
By Wendy Reichental

T o be honest I hate resolutions! You start out with such hope and determination but somewhere between the weight gain over the holidays and the dark cold winter nights, I throw caution to the wind or rather my resolutions out the window! But I pledge here that I do have one resolution I want to keep and that’s to be less green! Let me explain, I want to give up envy! We all have at one time or another felt a little less than disingenuous, a little voice inside our heads, yelling “why can’t I have that!” or “why can’t that be me!”?

What causes this complex emotion to come over us? Is it possible to disassociate ourselves from this “UGer” green-eyed monster? I think as we get older, you really do make an attempt to rationalize your behavior, and realize that life is short, and you can’t be wasting it with negative energy and truthfully green is not a very flattering color. Isn’t it the first color we turn when we feel sick? And the trait itself is shrouded in disapproval why else would it be mentioned as one of the seven deadly sins? And just to be clear, the definition of “En•vy” according to Webster’s is a “painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage”.

Latest Articles Going Ungreen What Eats Me! Hair Follies I Married A Sleepy Man When Three's Copmpany Want A Second Opinion? Visit a Cosmetic Counter Timely Matters

We all know people who for whatever reason can’t accept a good thing happening to someone else, and no matter how wide their smile might be they never quite come across as being truly authentic. As a guilty participant, I have been at both the receiving end and at the giving end of this. For example I once shared good news with people at work like the time I was going on a Caribbean cruise and as soon as the details of my trip sailed out of my mouth, I felt a sharp searing pain like that from a pitchfork jabbing me in my back.

It didn’t take long before one begrudging co-worker went ahead and uttered the always popular three little ill-fated voodoo words “AREN’T YOU LUCKY”!? This simple incantation is equivalent to summoning up the calamity spirits and basically…sticking it to you! I was so distraught that when the trip did in fact NOT GO WELL I was convinced it was because I was given those evil “envy” eyes, and that made mine see red!!

Unfortunately, I am also the expert in how this eye for an eye thing works. Many years ago, I attended a family reunion where my cousin’s husband was complimenting her in front of the whole family, and for the duration continued to shower her with constant physical attention. I did not want to rain on her parade but I was seething inside, I wanted some of that for myself and I felt ashamed. We shouldn’t be feeling envious of anyone for anything especially their seemingly happy life.

Fast forward to today and my cousin has gone through a nasty separation and worse still, she is currently battling a brain tumor. It’s not just regret and hindsight that has prompted me to stop envying, its sheer exhaustion from carrying around this needless self sulking poisonous emotion and then fearing and worrying that someone is potentially spear heading "Le Mauvais Oeil"or a malevolent gaze right back at me! And much like acquiring so many material things in our lives, it’s so unnecessary.

So my resolution is as follows; from now on when a good thing happens to me I am going to rejoice in it, unafraid of any repercussions (fingers crossed of course! Hey I said one resolution! And if I observe or hear about something wonderful happening to someone else, I am going to jump in and luxuriate in their glow genuinely and without any desire to raise an envious and dilated evil green eye! (fingers crossed again!) Happy New Year to all!

Back To The Cover       Wendy's Foibles