By Tanya Wilson
360You
A friend and budding entrepreneur was delivering homemade cookies at her office when a co-worker said “are you still selling those nasty cookies?” My friend was hurt and called me to vent.
It saddened me that we were having this conversation because I have had this conversation so many times before. In far too many situations we fail to sincerely celebrate the accomplishments of our brothers and sisters.
As long as people are neck-in-neck, all is well. As soon as someoone begins to pull out in front hateration surfaces. In the cookie example, my friend began a business while maintaining a full time job. In just two years the business has enjoyed a 50 percent uptick, and is moving quickly to include a mail order component. The comment made was an overt example, but the fact is many of us are more subliminal in our approach. You’ve heard comments such as “I wonder what they are doing to get that?” or “they always thought they were better than everyone else.”
When I hear these types of comments I’m reminded of Proverbs 14:30 which says, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” Together, we can break the cycle of envy. We can celebrate the blessings of each other and builder stronger community.
Read more columns by Tanya Wilson, an inspirational speaker based in Charlotte. Find her on Facebook.
Other Tanya Wilson articles:
The audacity to stand and vote when President Obama isn’t popular.
Personal receipts reveal waste.
Donald Lawrence comment at How Sweet The Sound highlights segregation in faith.
