Forget about jealousy. 

Instead, rejoice at other’s meritorious deeds. 

One of Samantabhadra’s ten great vows is to rejoice at others’ meritorious deeds. While these vows are a high-level practice undertaken by bodhisattvas, we can still begin to incorporate them into our practice.

This vow of being happy at others’ good actions helps us counter jealousy. Upon seeing others accomplishing something we dream about, we often succumb to jealousy.

We mutter to ourselves “Why them?” Because they have planted the right seeds and the right conditions have matured.

“Why not me?” Because either we didn’t plant the seeds, or our conditions haven’t matured yet.

“Okay. But do I have to feel happy for them?”

Yes, because they did something good. (That’s the “meritorious” bit.) Accomplishing something good is rarely easy. The right seeds and conditions need to mature—at the same time. So let’s get over our lethargy and our pouting. Celebrate those who manage to shine for they deserve our heartfelt delight and applause.