Reclaiming our Sovereignty to let go of envy
Sovereignty is a word being tossed all around the self development world these days. And that’s a good thing. Our world, our communities, and our relationships need to evolve away from the guru mentality and more towards taking responsibility for ourselves and our choices.
As we gain more wisdom, the old model of us being the dutiful student at the feet of our masters has to dissolve. Our new relationship to leadership, in all of its forms, should feel more like we are standing shoulder to shoulder with those that we admire.
The old model breeds disempowerment and often leads to envy. We become envious of our role models, friends, and public figures. And in my opinion, envy is one of the causes of the high levels of anxiety many of us struggle with daily.
When we envy or overly admire someone, we are subconsciously deciding we can’t have what they’ve got. We often have elaborate stories as to why “poor me isn’t as successful, attractive, wealthy (fill in the blank) as they are.” As a result, we play small in the shadow of our worship of these ‘successful’ people or ideals.
Anything that puts you at the bottom of a pedestal creates the opportunity for envy…which always leads to disempowerment.
I’m not saying we have nothing left to learn from other people. I believe the opposite is true. But, I am saying our approach needs to change to a more equal playing field. How we handle ourselves and our own power is what will create change in those relationships. And, it will also change how we learn from others.
What if, instead of looking at someone and thinking “oh, she’s so in touch with her inner power…I wish I were more like her,” we looked at that person and thought “Oh, she’s showing me how I too can be in touch with my inner power. She’s reflecting something I’m not yet seeing in myself.”
Isn’t that thought more accurate?
If you are hooked into envying people, then obviously they are triggering something in you that is either dormant or undernourished. After all, you’re not preoccupied with people you don’t like. You envy people for something they have that you want.
For example, if you are envious of your friend who just dropped 10 pounds, ask yourself what she’s revealing to you that you are yet to accept about yourself. Maybe she made her health a priority and you are still struggling with your bad eating habits. Maybe she’s showing you that, if you choose to, you too have the capacity to set a clear goal and stick to it.
Maybe you are admiring an inspirational speaker yet feeling bad about your personal progress on your own healing path. What might they be revealing to you? That you have the power to step up your game or to be more disciplined with your practices? Maybe they are illuminating your need to take more responsibility for your actions.
Because when you see those qualities as something you could cultivate in yourself, you claim your power back. You own your whole being without being at the mercy of someone else’s success or wisdom. You stop being envious and become proactive in the creation of your life.
And when you can claim and own all of your power, even where you may still be struggling…THAT is the definition of sovereignty. And the more you live from that energy, the more you instinctively help others to live in their sovereignty. You will start to become aware when others are “looking up to you” rather than just taking a cue from your actions. You can more easily discern what is “their stuff” and what is “your stuff.” And in owning “your stuff” you automatically empower them with an opportunity to do the same. It gives both of you the freedom and space to communicate openly.
So, take a look at the relationships in your life. Where are you putting your power at the base of a pedestal? Who are you envious of and why? Imagine standing shoulder to shoulder with that person…what are they showing you about what’s possible for you? Where are you giving your power away? Where, in you, could you cultivate that which you are envious of?
Making this shift will absolutely change your life. It might change your thoughts about why you eat what you eat. It might change your thoughts about your wardrobe, how to approach your next conversation with someone, what books you read and who you get advice from. It will change your personal relationships as well as your global ones….in a good way. You will be reclaiming your power, reclaiming your sovereignty and simultaneously you’ll be creating a world where others can claim their’s too.