Notable Quotable: Envy

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“If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough.”   ~Oprah Winfrey

 

How many of you suffer from what I do: envy? I always look at people with mansions and big huge pools and acres of land and I want it. Advantages that I don’t have. Even though I have a nice home and a nice yard and nice stuff, I don’t have THAT. And sometimes it gets me down. I’m left thinking when am I ever going to be able to get all THAT?

But on those rare occasions when I take note of how lucky I am and what all I do have, I realize I have much to be grateful for. And I realize that I ought not want for anything because I actually do have it all. I have all I need, that is.

Oprah’s quote therefore really spoke to me. If I look at what I don’t have in life, I’ll never have enough. True, that. If I look at what I have in life, I’ll always have more. That’s true too. In fact, I have more than I need.

Thanks again Oprah!

(Although I truly wish I had all that she has… I’d really be happy then! )

 

How do you feel about Oprah’s quote? Do you often find yourself in a state of envy? Are you truly happy with what you have now and do you think it’s enough?

 

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23 thoughts on “Notable Quotable: Envy”

  2. Hi, Michele!

    I find that quotes like this one by Oprah usually come from super rich people like her. 🙂 However, it reminds us of the type of mindset adopted by successful people. Once you get past the basic necessities of life – air, water, food, clothing and shelter, the rest is icing on the cake, if you are willing to think of it that way. When you stop and smell the roses and stop trying to keep up with the Joneses, you automatically become more relaxed, confident and focused. In that state of mind you are in a better position to create a game plan that will allow you to achieve your goals.

    I hope your dad is feeling much better today and that your mom continues to make steady progress toward complete recovery.

    Happy Wednesday, dear friend Michele!

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    • Very true Shady. We have to stop and take stock of our lives…and usually when we do, so long as we push envy aside, we are usually surprised at how satisfied and content we really are.
      Thanks for stopping by and thanks for all the well wishes for my folks. Mom is coming home from the hospital tomorrow and Dad is feeling back to normal now, thankfully!

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    • Great line Lee! Love that. Envy does indeed unsettle one’s soul. Very true! When your soul is settled and not bristled up, then you can’t help but feel content…
      Thanks for stopping by.

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  5. Envy has never been in my nature. When I see a large, ostentatious mansion, the first thought that comes to mind is “what a waste”. Think of all the resources that are required to heat and cool such a large space. Why does anyone need that much room? Sure, it looks nice and luxurious surroundings might be fun for awhile, but mostly, I find conspicuous consumption distasteful. 😛 We worked hard for everything we have. It may not seem like much to rich folks, but it’s good enough for us. 🙂

    I was reading the previous comments and noticed Tom mentioned your parents. Hope they’re feeling better and that you’re doing well, yourself, Michele. I’m coming along, slowly. Pneumonia really kicks your ass, doesn’t it? 😛

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    • Glad to see you here Debbie. I’ve tried to send you email twice and both times the email has come back as undeliverable (it timed out). So I’m glad to see you back. Pneumonia is really serious stuff as you well know. I hope you’re feeling better now. It’s still important to take it easy. I know you will. 🙂
      Yes, my mom had heart surgery last week. A really big surgery with a valve replacement and a valve repair plus some other stuff. Going to be a very long road of recovery but thankfully she’s coming home tomorrow. My Dad had the flu for a few days this past week so it was pretty crazy taking care of him and running back and forth to the hospital. Thanks for asking about them!
      So good to see you! 🙂

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      • I wish your Mom a good recovery! You must have had your hands full.

        Yes, I’m taking things easy and very bored. LOL Still weak, which I’m told will last a few weeks. Odd about the email. Maybe the server was down? Thanks for trying, anyway.

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        • If you’re getting bored, you must be getting better! 🙂

          Re: the email, it sounded like it was waiting in a queue and the server never picked it up because it timed out. I figured your email box was full or something like that…

          Thanks for the well-wishes for my Mom! So glad she’s coming home. She was in the Heart Hospital of Austin and had a fabulous surgeon –one of the best in the country– so she’s been in good hands. But she says she knows she’ll do better at home. I agree.

          How long were you in the hospital? I’m sure your hubby took good care of you. 🙂
          Feel better soon, my friend. ❤

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          • Glad to know your Mom was in such good hands! Home is definitely better. I was in hospital for nine days and am still on oxygen, which I hope to wean myself away from, soon! We’re going to see The Who on Mar. 1 and no way in hell am I taking an oxygen tank to a rock concert. 😛 Poor hubby had to work all day and then take care of things for me, so he was exhausted all the time. Thankfully, no doggie houseguests until Saturday, so I still have a few easier days. I think he will have to walk them, though. Not up for that yet. Good thing we have a decent-sized backyard.

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  6. I can’t help but question how someone like Oprah can make a quote like that. She has nothing to worry about in her life, yet she doesn’t seem all that happy to me. I don’t care for the woman myself. But that is neither here nor there. I am happy to hear that your mom is coming home and that your dad is better! Recovery takes so much longer when we are older!! God Bless you!

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    • Thanks Paula! It’s been pretty nuts around here with all this going on. The surgeon said that it will probably take 4-6 months to recover from this surgery. Thanks for your thoughts!

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  8. I think it’s easy to tell other people what to do when you have everything. I don’t want what Oprah has: no privacy. Why does she own so many homes? She could build or renovate houses for homeless people. Maybe she already does. I’m sure she’s generous. But no one needs as many mansions as she has. I’m not envious very often (only when you said you saw Michael Jackson and Prince during the same week). I’m grateful to have my little house and my pups. There are very few things I need that I don’t have.

    Love,
    Janie

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    • That’s fabulous Janie! Being able to live life not needing or wanting much is a real blessing. Thanks for stopping by. I have to stop by and read your post on ellipses. I LOVE to use them and probably overuse them. Like now…

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