You may have noticed that some cross-cultural workers are always unhappy, comparing themselves with others and wishing they had what others have. The list of things they wish for seems to be endless, including such things as being able to speak the language better, better housing, higher salary, larger classes, fewer committee assignments, more spirituality, more people attending their church, less paperwork, a better vehicle, and so forth.
If you are completely honest, you have probably noticed the same thing in yourself. You have wanted what someone else has. When you get it, you feel happy for a short time; then you want more—or you want something else.
This never-ending cycle is as old as humanity itself. In Genesis 3 the serpent appealed to Eve by noting that if she ate the forbidden fruit she would be like God. She was already made in God’s image, but she wanted more. She ate, and sin entered.
Click to read full text in English “Happiness, Comparison, Envy” at http://crossculturalworkers.com/
Click to read Traditional Chinese 幸福、比較與嫉妒
Click to read Simplified Chinese 幸福、比较与嫉妒
