Book Excerpt Chapter Eight: Being in the Now

How Envy Keeps You From Living in the Moment

p. 204 - You Have Chosen to Remember: A Journey from Perception to Knowledge, Peace of Mind and Joy by James Blanchard Cisneros.

Envy is another one of the ego's deception tools which keeps you from living in the moment or being in the now. I have a friend who, on many occasions, has told me that he wishes he had my life. This is a person who has a wonderful wife, two awesome kids, a supportive family and he is financially stable. I would usually smile and say thanks, but little by little, that comment began to bother me and I did not know why. So I prayed about why I was feeling this way and the next time he said it, I replied, "You really don't wish you had my life. What you truly desire is to recognize that you wish you had your own life." There is no life that is better suited for your own growth and development than your own. If you respect the way someone lives his or her life, by all means, follow his or her example, but don't envy him or her. If you had an inkling of knowledge of who you truly are, you would continuously praise God and thank Him for your opportunity and truth.

My friend, even those you perceive as having perfect lives are fighting their own battles. If you had knowledge of their personal battles, there would be a good probability you would reconsider changing roles. I have known many a great spiritual teacher whose personal life was far from perfect. I keep addressing my issues in order to grow as a human being. Those who know me know that I am far from perfect, but I continue to delve into my misperceptions and imperfections in the knowledge that I come closer to my trueself every time I try.

My friend, it is this life that counts. It is this moment that you can recognize as perfect and experience peace. Ask and trust that all that can be done on the spiritual level to offer you a more fulfilling life is being done. Do not concern yourself with envy and wanting to be someone else, but work on your own misperceptions and imperfections, and you will obtain more peace of mind and joy.

My friend, you are exactly where you need to be, and you are exactly who you need to be. You have been offered more than you know and there will come a point in your life when you recognize that this is so. When you do, you will never look at another person and be envious.
 

	E-Mail this to a Friend	Back to Table of Contents Back to Inspirational Quotes: Challenges Back to Short Stories

View larger images of front & back cover 
of the great spiritual / self development book You Have Chosen to Remember: A Journey from Perception to Knowledge, Peace of Mind and Joy by James Blanchard Cisneros.