Intelligence: I'm constantly impressed by those who are smarter, more quick-witted, can think on their feet, get straight to the point of something, and always have a witty comeback to an unexpected criticism.
Memory: I admire those with a better memory, who can recall all those little details that rapidly escape me. In particular I envy the sort of photographic memory my sister has.
Writing: I'm in awe of those who can produce novel after novel, who have the ability to keep a complex plot and umpteen characters in their mind as they twist and turn over hundreds of pages.
Height: I would quite like to be a bit shorter, so I don't have to stoop a dozen times a day and it's easier to find clothes that actually fit me.
Sight: It would be nice to have perfect sight rather than a hazy blur and not need the glasses I've worn since I was 17.
Happiness: Some people seem to be perpetually happy, despite all the challenges and mishaps of daily life that so often upset the rest of us. How do they do that?
Tolerance: I admire those with infinite patience over things that annoy the hell out of everyone else. Like boisterous children and unhelpful call centres.
Don't get me wrong. These aren't things that eat me up with jealousy, or things I brood over into the small hours. They're just things I'd quite like to have in an ideal world. Which of course doesn't exist and never will.
That is an interesting list. The only thing I can think of that I wish I had is a sister.
ReplyDeletewell Nick... I think you're quite logically and sweetly NORMAL!
ReplyDeleteunless of course one falls into the 'envied' part of the equation. it's nice to know we have so much company. (you have to know there are others out there!)
well. except for the height part. I'm now five feet one inch (lost an inch to age I guess!) I don't have to stoop. I spend a lot of time in the grocery store especially... on tippy toes. it seems they always put what I want or use on the higher shelves. so far I haven't brought an entire group of cereals down on my head thank goodness.
the pneumonia is GONE finally. I'm a happy camper... tall OR short... it's good just to be alive! xoxo
"Doing the best we can with what we have left." That's our motto here, and it's great for happiness.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: Well, you're remarkably envy-free! I have a sister but I might as well not have as we don't really get on. We're totally chalk and cheese.
ReplyDeleteTammy: I'm sure most people are envious of all sorts of things, but they don't like to say so as it seems a bit pathetic and neurotic. I think envy of celebrities and envy of wealth are very common.
Glad to hear you've finally defeated the pneumonia!
Jean: I'll go along with that maxim. I make the most of whatever skills and abilities I have, and I don't worry too much about the ones I don't have.
ReplyDeleteI was issued glasses at age 8. Mygod! I could see.
ReplyDeleteJoanne: Age 8, gosh that's early. I remember a similar reaction when I got my first pair of glasses - amazement that everything was suddenly so clear and sharply-defined.
ReplyDeleteI try and focus on my talents, tho I need a reminder sometimes as to what they are as I can get down on myself and feel hopeless.
ReplyDeleteI can honestly say I don't envy anyone as everyone has a story - as in their outsides don't ever reflect their insides. I am continually astonished by this.
XO
WWW
I'm working on my gratitude skills so I don't think I'll make an envy list. :)
ReplyDeletewww: You're right, outsides seldom reflect the insides. A publicly-acclaimed talent can go hand in hand with severe depressions or phobias or other inner demons.
ReplyDeleteLinda: Oh, I'm immensely grateful for all sorts of good things in my life. I've been very lucky in lots of ways. Which puts the little twinges of envy in perspective!
I envy many people for many reasons but the envy comes in short bursts. I'm generally happy with my life and it's not worth upsetting myself with pointless comparisons
ReplyDeleteKylie: Same here. The envy comes in short bursts. Though really envy isn't the right word, it's too intense. Coveting or hankering after might be better.
ReplyDeleteI do wish a driverless car would be introduced rapidly....it would guive me so much more freedom given my poor sight...but apart from that, there's not much I would change.
ReplyDeleteHelen: A driverless car would be wonderful. I wouldn't have to worry about poor sight or any other medical problems, I could just sit back and leave the car to itself. But I wonder if driverless cars will ever catch on - how many people will ever see them as safe enough?
ReplyDeleteGiven the number of vehicle accidents caused by inattentive drivers I'd think a driverless car would be an improvement.
ReplyDeleteLinda: You've got a point there! Though even a reduced level of accidents wouldn't really be acceptable.
ReplyDeleteI guess I could come up with a list of things I wouldn't mind being, but mostly, I'm okay as I am. (Except, I'd like to be clearly cancer-free.)
ReplyDeleteAgent: I'm also okay as I am. But if you asked me, what little improvements would you like to make, that list is what I would come up with.
ReplyDeleteIn my imaginary world I have the Stephen Fry sort of intelligence and wit.
ReplyDeleteLiz: Me too. Though there's something about Stephen Fry that gets up my nose - he's a bit smug perhaps? I think I'd prefer David Mitchell. Or Tina Fey.
ReplyDeleteI’m pretty reconciled to what I have and not giving much thought to what I don’t. I think any envy I might have felt occurred when I was younger and hoped I might acquire some of what I perceived missing in myself. I guess now I’ve concluded I likely have am pretty much in place wherever I am on the spectrums.
ReplyDeleteJoared: I'm quite happy with who I am and whatever skills and talents I have or don't have. This is merely a very hypothetical list of a few desirable improvements!
ReplyDeleteI've always tried to work with what I've got, but yes, I sometimes do wish and wonder!
ReplyDeleteSx
Ms Scarlet: You're obviously brainy and creative, which is a good start. What else do you hanker after, I wonder?
ReplyDelete