Dealing With Jealousy

advantages
Chris was beginning to realize he had a choice he could continue to be jealous of what other people had and what he didnt or he could use that energy to get to work. He began to wonder if he could create advantage out of disadvantage. When you stop focusing on how things should be and stop comparing yourself with others you come face to face with what is.
There is no end to the comparison trap you can always find someone who has it better than yourself. Some people never stop searching and never stop torturing themselves with how hard done by they feel. In fact for some it can become a convenient excuse not to try. Thats why what is is such a perfect place to start from in realigning your thinking. It represents the reality of where you are right now with your riding and also encourages you to honour where you are instead of diminishing it.
When Chris examined his own situation he discovered that his reality was not so bad after all. I thought they had everything and I had nothing but I realized that I had things that others might be jealous of me for. He realized he had the experience of training horses and this enabled him to develop skill in reading his different mounts and that riding in the lower divisions made him focus on aspects of his riding that others might well take for granted. He could use these years of riding young horses to perfect and refine his style while being patient for the right opportunity and horse to come along.
Chris also challenged the notion that he had to make enemies out of his competitors and see them as different. You dont need to alienate yourself from your competition in order to beat them in the show ring. So he got to know some of the people he had been jealous of and that helped him relax and enjoy himself more at horse shows.