Envy vs Kindness

Envy vs Kindness

Day four takes us to the Deadly Sin of Envy and the Heavenly Virtue of Kindness. The two are are similar because they come from with in ourselves and show themselves in outward actions. When we are kind we are being good to those around us and when we are envious we can be harsh and negative to and about those around us. 

    Envy comes from a dark part of us and it takes hold of us and makes us turn against someone just because of something, someone, or some trait that they have and we do not. That person does not have to do anything to us for us not to like them or what they have that we desire. When we are envious of someone a feeling of resentment can arise in us and we may even wish that they fail or lose what we are envious over. It does not have to only be about wealth or a relationship they have but it can be a part of their personality or trait they posses. Sometime when we admire someone, it can turn into envy if  we are not careful. The second we start to resent them or wish that they did not have what we want, envy has taken hold. The Ninth & Tenth Commandment speaks out about envy. “ Thou shalt not covet your neighbor’s wife” and “ Thou shall not covet your neighbors goods”. When we covet something or someone , it is because we wanted it and someone else has it . We may feel entitled to it or that the person does not deserve to have the possession or person. This sin has caused some people to kill, steal, and defame to get what they want. Envy rots away your judgement of right and wrong and stirs the desires within ourselves. In some people this is when they act on their sin of envy and turn it into an action against the other person. You start to resent that person because you are not them. Envy eats away at you. I am realizing that to me this is one of the worst of the deadly sins. It affects the core of who you are and in return your actions to others. When you feel that there is no stopping you from getting what or who that person has, then envy is in control of your life. You can not be happy for that person because you rather it be you. 

      Kindness, on the other hand, brings forth joy and happiness to you and those around you. This virtue does not only pertain to those in your life but also to those who you do not know. It is easy to be kind to people you care about or love but try being kind to someone you do not know.  It does not need to be this grand scaled event either. It is in those simple kind words and actions that people will remember you for and God will as well.  Being kind to people does not have to cost you a thing. Hold a door for someone, wish them well, smiling at someone... etc... By doing those things we are displaying kindness. Being kind is not hard to do. When we are being kind, do not expect anything in return but you are doing it from kindness of your heart. 

      If we show people kindness the world would be a better place. Kindness can destroy envy in our hearts by us acting in big and small ways to those who we know and do not know. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and do some random acts of kindness today.