Envy

                     We have a natural inclination towards comparing ourselves with others. This paves the road for envy. Recognizing the patterns in people will help us steer clear of envious attacks from people. Envy is different from anger. Anger is something that just pops up and does its damage, whereas envy accumulates the more we feel we deserve something someone else possesses. It makes us feel inferior. It automatically pulls a mask in front of our faces, making it difficult to recognize it. Envy stems from having low self-worth, and internal standards. 

                    Micro-expressions are a really useful tool to understand envious behaviours as most of them cannot control their facial expressions. It reveals on their faces as they are not able to fool themselves. These microexpressions are mostly recognized by our subconscious, which is why first impressions leave a mark. Fake smiles are the easiest to see. Concentrate on the area near the eyes. Fake smiles don't form wrinkles that look like crow's feet. Look closely at people when you tell them some good news. Their eyes may look like daggers, moth may swoon down like a child who has been cheated. these expressions don't last for more than a blink of an eye, so you'll have to really sharpen your senses. 

                    Another sign of envious people is their words. They will sing poisonous praises which are paradoxical in nature. For example, if you have opened up a business, they will complement on how much money you'll be making, implying that you chase only money. You'll feel this in your gut. Trust your instincts. They may even use the push and pull technique where they will praise you a lot, and then they suddenly turn cold. They will also use words against you through backbiting. You'll know a person is of this type when you see them backbiting their other acquaintances. The shine in their eyes when they gossip should give you enough reason to stay away. 

                    Envy has its roots in early childhood. When in their first months, they are always with their mother, after which their mothers divert attention to other things. The envious types need more attention than others. This causes them to see their father or siblings as rivals. Parents may further this envious feeling in their children by pushing and pulling the attention from children, making them crave for their mother's attention or having a favourite child. This leaves the child unsatisfied with everything and assumes that people usually cheat their way out to get things. Sometimes they may even try to become too independent, thinking that the lesser the connections with people, the lesser envious they will feel. 

                    Now let us look at some types of enviers

1. Leveler: These types have a wicked and cynical sense of humour. They consider successful people have cheated their way up. If someone around them wants to excel, the envier will put him down for even trying, bringing everyone around them to the same level. They have fragile egos. 

2. Slacker: These types think that they are naturally entitled to success and will not work hard for it. They have a very brief outline of the 'next best thing', which is just enough to get attention from others, but they are insecure about their own abilities. They hang around high achievers to try to move forward, but instead, it only pushes them into feeling hostility towards the high achievers. Beware of juniors who try to get too close. 

3. Status chaser: Status is used to measure one's social status. These types always compare themselves to others. They ask things in a way that may seem that they are admiring our success, but they are actually hiding their envy towards you. They will reduce everything to material success and aim towards monkhood although they may actually be yearning for luxurious lives. 

4. Envious masters: They are usually people with high power who are insecure about their positions. This happens when they feel that their juniors are more talented than them and thus making them afraid of losing their position. Don't get on their bad sides. 

                    Some people are more prone to become envious, but be aware that anyone can turn envious, anytime. Keep an eye out for signs and triggers. It's best not to continue interactions with highly envious types but is left with no choice, make sure you don't trigger their jealousy. Don't try to reveal everything when they question you. Keep the answers limited to basics. When you are helping people, especially envious people, don't patronize them. And if you have fallen into the traps laid out by envious, don't let your emotions run wild as that's exactly what they are trying to get from you. 

                    If you see signs of envy in yourself, the first step is to notice when these signs show up. Notice the emotions of envy trying to take control. Don't take a guilt trip, instead monitor the process while it occurs. Feel genuine appreciation towards people when they tell something good that's happening in their lives. Add something extra that will make them remember the compliment. Try to imagine yourself to be in their position and tell them what you would like as a genuine appreciation. Empathy can really help with this. Let the energy that emerges from envy be transmuted into fuel for your own success. Convert envy into admiration, that way you will integrate your negative traits into your character, leveraging them.