Unusual Channel
Envy
Did you ever feel at some point in your life you felt envious of something? How about of someone? Like, did it ever occur to you that when you feel envious of something or someone, you end up hurting yourself too?
Last Monday I saw this movie entitled, ENVY. It starred two of my favorite actors; Ben Stiller of Meet the Parents and Jack Black of The School of Rock. ENVY is a story of friendship, actually. Two contrasting personalities but happen to be real good friends until money and success got in the way somehow. I don't want to burst any bubble here so I am not going to tell the story; instead I am just going to give you a little background on the story. Tim, (played by Ben Stiller) suddenly finds himself falling behind Nick's, (played by Jack Black) sensational success after Nick discovered that his hare-brained invention turned out to be a fool-proof money making venture. To top it all Nick asked Tim being his friend to invest but Tim being skeptical that it will work refused. With Nick's success, Tim's resentment grew everyday. And when Nick not wanting to be away from his best friend put up his mansion just in front of Tim's house, all Tim could feel was a growing dislike for his friend. However, with all of Tim's growing anger, Nick was still the same old friend only this time he was more generous to Tim's family and he even made Tim as partner to his growing business not knowing how the latter felt. Like what I said before, any negative feelings will definitely backfire and this time it sure did for Tim. Because of his resentments towards Nick, a lot of man-trouble happened to him. He lost his job, he got into a complicated situation, and worst, Tim found himself lying to his only friend.
Of course, at the end of the story, everybody lived happily ever after. However there must be retribution (more like settling of scores) first before living happily could even start. What is so great about this story was the part when Tim had to tell Nick the truth. How he became envious, how he was never happy about Nick's success, he just pretended to be and a lot more of truth-saving-face that he had to admit. And guess what? What the good-natured Nick could say to his envious friend is this, "You made a mistake my friend, that's all you did and it is okay to make a mistake but it is over now." And with saying that, Nick hugged his friend, Tim. Some movie, huh? It's a comedy, by the way. There were a lot of laughs considering the actors who played the roles; however, it had to end dramatically in a way. Don't miss it! It is by far one of the great movies that you will be sorry if you miss it.
I believe Tim is so lucky for having Nick as his friend. Of course, it is just a movie but it conveyed a clear message about friendship and in any friendship the green-eyed monster ENVY it is called, can creep in to any friendship like a thief in the night. I believe too that when we are envious of anybody's work or success for that matter, a sense of insecurity and a lack of self esteem are factors for letting this green-eyed monster to creep into us. Sometimes, we are aware of it but most often than not, we deny it is happening to us. When there is denial that it can really happen to us, then there is false humility and pride gets in the way most of the time. If ENVY is a disease, then one of its symptoms is faultfinding. However, I believe too that in true friendship there is realization of a mistake, then, there is remorse, and most of all there is humility when asking for forgiveness for a mistake done.
I believe too that there is nothing wrong with being ambitious. For as long as we don't hurt anybody when we pursue such ambition, then we are doing the right thing. I believe too that in a friendship, there is no room for ENVY. We should always be happy for the success of a friend and we should be there when a friend suffers a painful experience. Perhaps, I have high expectations from a friend but wouldn't you too? I believe also that wishing others well and being happy for their little or great successes are better than thinking ill or feeling ill of them. It is always positive that way and it is lighter in our hearts. It is not stressful too.
"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great!"
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Happy Birthday to my good friends Nonoy & Bing Layao, Ng Cora Malacaman, Mark Keeler, Mae Tison, Ever Canastillo and to my only daughter, Audrey. They are all celebrating their birthdays this month. To you all, good health and God bless always!