Problem With TIME?

Problem With TIME?

Problem With TIME?  BTW,  that's NOT news anymore.  We've been hearing that same refrain zillion times from every Tom, Dick and Harry.  BUT the bigger question is, WHY has this TIME problem become so recurring and chronic?  WHEN our timepiece has never shrinked at all and WHEN even our wall clock has remained as static as ever, giving us NO excuse to turn a blind eye towards it???

YET, much as we have been hearing Economics 101 or even Finance 101, NO one ever bothered to introduce TIMEBLOCKING 101 to us, which is dismaying because many of us [I was once or twice guilty of this in the past] continue [even as we speak now] to take this problem for granted by even tagging this as a non-problem.  BUT if you tend to be TIME-constrained every five business days of the week, you tend to hit the wall maybe two OR three times a week, ISN'T that a problem to be faced head on?  A one-off thing OR an outlier is a valid excuse BUT not when a constraint shows up its ugly head every now and then.  WHERE's the problem then?  Regrettably, if ever we acknowledge that as a problem, it is buried deep within our silo whose existence is even incognito💧💧💧

Regardless, WHETHER your work is a nine-to-five job OR you work remotely OR you're staying at home with your kids [OR EVEN IF YOU ARE A RETIREE NOW]!!!, everyone needs an effective method for managing their day.  The last word we want to hear is this snide comment that "I DON'T NEED TO MANAGE MY TIME" because one day, regrettably, you'll EAT YOUR WORDS [and that DOESN'T reflect well on you, dude] because after all, perfectionism, procrastination and the myth of multitasking are all very REAL dangers that can keep even the most productive people stuck in one place❎❎❎

So, HOW do you really take control of your schedule and really get things done?  This is WHERE TIME-BLOCKING a.k.a. TIME-CHUNKING gets into the picture.  So, WHY does TIME-BLOCKING help?  Taking control of your TIME by scheduling and breaking it into chunks OR blocks will make us productive.  And the easiest and most effective way to do that is through the TIME-BLOCKING best practice😌😌😌

Our takeaway:  Essentially, WHAT we're pitching here is setting aside BLOCKS of TIME to complete our important tasks or projects [if applicable at work].  At the end of the day, your schedule ends up broken into chunks of TIME WHERE you are focusing on one task or project at a time.  This brings us a full circle back to the indisputable tenet in life that we [and even machines] CAN'T and really just CAN'T perform multitasking, NOT in this real world even where the rat race prevails because dude, indeed we've got PROBLEM WITH TIME❗❗❗

[ADVISORY ALERT] Latest PRE-EMPTIVE Tip For SMS Scams

[ADVISORY ALERT] Latest PRE-EMPTIVE Tip For SMS Scams

SCAMS are everywhere, sad to say.   BUT before we get embroiled in the much larger and wider landscape of SCAMS, for today, our thread will share HOW to initiate that preemptive move of NOT [inadvertently] clicking a LINK sent via those SMS SCAMS which prey on our human nature to react instantaneously in the face of emergencies OR fears.  Surely, as we speak now, everyone has had his/her fair share of received SMS SCAMS with embedded links BUT in our [ADVISORY ALERT] Latest PRE-EMPTIVE Tip For SMS Scams thread today, we'd like to share that PRE-EMPTIVE move against those 'LINKS'📘📙📗

In your iPhone, go to SETTING ---->  APPS -----> MESSAGES then scroll down the screen and under 'MESSAGE FILTERING', enable it.  Besides sorting out messages WHO are NOT in your contact list, it will preemptively disable the embedded link in that potential SMS SCAM.  That preemptively fixes 90% of the most common miscues we end-users will stumble across when these SMS SCAMMERS will have those embedded links because they are 'piggy-backing' on the frailties of human nature WHEREIN we react [sometimes in 'PANIC' mode] WHEN the SMS message seemingly alerts you in various shapes and forms, e.g.:

• THAT your online banking account got flagged and blocked
• THAT your purported Fedex/UPS parcel is 'ON HOLD'
• THAT your CPF account [in Singapore] needs attention
• THAT your vehicle got flagged for a violation with penalties
• THAT your ['named'] next of kin is now at the hospital ER

To quote BleepingComputer @https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/phishing-texts-trick-apple-imessage-users-into-disabling-protection/, the latest SMS ruse can be recognized by the way it tries to get you to reply with a 'Y' to enable a link embedded in the SMS text.  That message might also get you to copy and paste the link into SAFARI.  Replying to that message OR moving the link elsewhere gets around a key security measure in Apple's IOS [WHICH upon enabling the FILTERING option discussed above, links from senders WHO are NOT in your contacts list are DISABLED BY DEFAULT❗❗❗

That iPhone feature that preemptively disables embedded links from senders WHO are NOT in your contacts list is so critical to iPhone security such that you CAN'T simply toggle it ON OR OFF because it's a built-in part of the messages app WHICH we CAN'T change.  Giving you a 'Y' to reply YES [or another similar response] makes IOS think that you know the SENDER and once you restart the MESSAGES app [as the SCAM SMS will tell you to do so], that link will be 'tappable' and will then take you to some form of fraudulent and credential-stealing website, whew!@#$%?  THAT familiar trick of pushing the message recipient to act QUICKLY arising from the urgent OR emergency nature of that SCAM SMS.  Before we know it, it's 'dooms day'😡😡😡

Our takeaway:  Before you miss the point, PLEASE NOTE that even messages that appear to come from your 'TRUSTED CONTACT' can be FAKED!@#$%?  SO HOW?  Maybe an account impersonating them has been created!  OR maybe hackers have managed to legitimately get access to their accounts.  So, if you do receive a LINK from someone you know, pick up the phone, call and double-check with them that it's genuine before clicking that LINK.  WHAT's our BIGGEST PROBLEM now?  That SHARING feature of online posts is so damn easy to click.  And in the world's "SMS CAPITAL" [in terms of SMS volume], a big chunk of end-users will NOT even wait for another second to click a link WHEN he/she receives a SHARED link [even from his/her legitimate and valid 'TRUSTED CONTACT' and clicks right away!@#$%? 

p.s.  As we DON'T have Android phones here at home, I did a quick GOOGLE SEARCH for the similar preemptive security function for Android devices.  Please refer to this --------->.  I suggest you validate these screenshot's details because I am unable to validate that it's a functional equivalent of that IOS security feature.  To be forewarned is to be forearmed

One Need NOT Be A Candidate For Mount Rushmore

One Need NOT Be A Candidate For Mount Rushmore

Several days ago, the United States honored the late President Jimmy Carter with memorial services unparalleled given that President Carter was recognized for his achievements way beyond U.S. domestic affairs as for the past 40 years, his global initiatives impacted thousands of hapless people everywhere, from African countries reeling in poverty all the way to his mediations with autocratic North Korea📘📙📗

And in the eulogy from Andrew Young, one of the first 2 African-Americans elected to the U.S. Congress and a respected Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations stated that One Need NOT Be A Candidate For Mount Rushmore.  And he was referring to the Late President Jimmy Carter WHO he said deserves to be at the foothills of Mount Rushmore.  BUT hey, we WON'T spend this thread today talking about it.  Instead, let us focus on each of ourselves, for us to realize that we DON'T need to be heroes and even approximate 'superman' because WE DON'T NEED A CAPE TO BE A HERO and that HELPING ANOTHER IS ENOUGH💚💛💜

Truth of the matter, being a HERO DOESN'T mean performing grand gestures BUT rather being consistent and making an effort to be a better person, period.  That says it all, NO frills, NO bells, NO whistles.  Over in the NBA world, major ballclubs always lean to structure their teams with a Big 3 [of stars].  BUT WHAT does that guarantee?  NOTHING, NADA, KEINER.  EXCEPT those bloated contracts which explains WHY most of those major NBA ballclubs have either breached the first or second 'aprons' [apologies for this NBA jargon related to 'cap ceilings']💧💧💧

Through the years at the workplace, NOT once we ever touched discussions about someone at the SUPERMAN levels.  Instead, it's all about pooling team members together, combining their experiences becoming the key variable that proves shared capabilities are multiple times much better than having individual 'star-level' personalities in a team.  BUT setting aside workgroups, let's thing about it.  Even before we can envision groups collectively coming up together, it boils down to each member, investing in his capabilities and 'divesting' to share such capabilities to anyone WHO needs and deserves all forms and kinds of HELP we can possibly extend💥💥💥

Our takeaway:  NOT to impose things upon us BUT as we trek along in life, surely, we have reaped tons and tons of fruits [of course, thanks to our sheer determination to achieve those laurels] BUT think about it, WHAT better sense of fulfillment if we take that initiative to offload some of the 'blessings' we have had the past years over to the hapless ones?  NOT to call it PAYBACK TIME as it sounds imposing and harsh BUT just like the late US President Jimmy Carter, we may deserve to be at the FOOTHILLs [and NOT NECESSARILY AT MOUNT RUSHMORE]❗❗❗

Is NEGATIVE THINKING An Issue?

Is NEGATIVE THINKING An Issue?

Is NEGATIVE THINKING An Issue?  YES it is and it will always be.  Because while there are important concerns in life that may need one's attention, a NEGATIVE thought tends to distort the implications of our actions and decisions.  BUT think about it, much of WHAT we much worry about DON'T even happen.  And WHILE there is a lot about the current situation WHICH we CAN'T control, we can still control HOW much we focus on those NEGATIVITIES📘📙📗

The ace up the sleeves of psychologists is for us to STOP, THINK and QUESTION if your thoughts are actually TRUE and try to put in a different spin on your life and even your problems.  Looking at the Covid-19 Pandemic, the lockdown itself is NEGATIVE enough but if we put a spin to it, we will be thankful to contribute in terms of the safety of the people and public you interact with.  And you even get proactively protected as well✅✅✅

Studies show that quite often, the NEGATIVE things we tell ourselves are self-critical and sometimes unrelenting BUT ironically, we would be unlikely to talk to OR even think of a friend as harsh as we do it upon our own hapless self.  So, here's a NOT so big ask:  Can we treat ourselves in the same way you would treat a good friend and take the time to offer your own self the same POSITIVE reinforcement OR encouragement you might offer someone else.  I'll admit that in the past, I was guilty of this because here I was, counselling a friend BUT being tough on myself, WHICH is NOT just ironical but frankly, regrettable and totally off-track.  BUT I made those mistakes before😖😖😖

WHAT we are hearing from psychologists is that the mood of others can amplify OR even create NEGATIVE thought patterns, so the practical advice we're getting here is to endeavor surrounding ourself with POSITIVE people [even if it's a virtual setup via Zoom] BUT we got to make sure that those people WHO will surround us AREN'T also stuck in a similar anxious and possible NEGATIVE situation like you may be facing.  Consider removing yourself from NEGATIVE influences or social circles then❌❌❌

Our takeaway:  I've heard this before and let me quote, "WATCH WHAT YOU'RE WATCHING [or READING]" because as well as focusing on POSITIVITY in your social interactions is imperative, we need to be conscious of the messages we are exposed to through a variety of channels, including through the conventional media and worse, even via social media.  Watching, reading OR listening to ongoing negative coverage can leave you feeling further isolated and worse, depressed.  And worst, it may lead you to an increase of symptoms of acute stress.  To piggy-back on WHAT experts counsel us, let us aim to assess information critically and obtain such from a wide variety of sources [let us NOT limit ourselves] and different viewpoints as that will give us a wider perspective, wider viewfinder because YES, indeed NEGATIVE THINKING is absolutely an ISSUE❗❗❗

When Do You Pivot?

When Do You Pivot?

Many years ago, I DIDN'T know what I DIDN'T know [and I thought that was a good thing].  I thought my life would take a predictable path [BUT it DIDN'T].  Instead, lo and behold, life got messy, got complicated, and one day, before I knew it, I found myself 'in a creek without a paddle', whew!  YES, life is tough and there is NO definitive guide to rebooting in the middle of it all.  Instead, in those surprising and sometimes shocking episodes in our life, we end up unexpectedly PIVOTING.  So, When Do You Pivot???

YES, life is a [damn] tough sport and there is NO definitive guide to rebooting in the middle of it [at all].  In the end, we tend to be just improvising as we go, PIVOTING as needed, and doing our darn best.  And WHEN the proverbial sh*t hits the fan we face, we're in that receiving end for a spate of disappointments, health scares, and all sorts of unimaginable things.  So, the biggest question our face is now staring is:  HOW do we pull ourselves up by our bootsraps and get back on track???

YES, WHEN the going gets tougher, the tougher gets going and as they say, our only recourse left by then is to PIVOT.  We can take the experiences and lessons learned from life and turn them into something new.  And instead of living our lives predictably, we tend to fire them up, exploring our own potential and doubling down on achievements left undone, till we're left with turning the middle years into a time of opportunity, accomplishment and enrichment.  BUT the biggest challenge that remains at hand is always going from IDEA to ACTION.  Starting something new can be daunting [honestly, most of the time, IT IS!] and overwhelming and any weaker soul will tend to crumble down even before the track and field race start pistol sounds and fires.  Obstacles, both the imagined and the real, are peppered across the roads we will trek.  Worst, those obstacles may even block our way💥💥💥

Until, self-doubt rears its ugly head and undermines our confidence.  And sometimes, the hardest part may just be starting by then, especially if we are unsure of the desired outcome OR how to achieve it.  It is true, if we want our lives to be different than they are right now, we can choose to do things differently.  We can decide that this is our time, snatch the middle years from the jaws of mediocrity, then write down our own damn next chapter💧💧💧

Our takeaway:  Having my own life story, I had to own my part in WHAT WASN'T working, and free myself from unproductive behaviors and instead, get excited about the infinite possibilities ahead in life.  The things over WHICH I had NO control had to go, and I turned my energy and attention to WHAT I actually had the power to change and that was ME.  That became my starting point to PIVOT.  So that answers, WHEN DO WE PIVOT???

How WORDS Matter In Life?

How WORDS Matter In Life?

Quite often, people would shrug off WORDS as just WORDS.  Some would even add weight to it by calling it empty WORDS.  BUT can we agree that the worst conflicts in life, whether it was during the World War II between the allied and axis powers, OR even if it's the Russian involvement in the Crimea Region OR in Ukraine.  BUT not to worry, we WON'T delve into geopolitics as that's a domain I CAN'T claim to be an SME.  Instead, we'd like to dissect as to How WORDS Matter In Life.  We can even stick it out with relationships.  Many of them eventually broke out and took their separate ways while some unions managed to get reconciled.  BUT akin to the wild swing of the pendulum, WORDS can trigger either the positive OR negative reverberations, sometimes being triggered by the decibels and many times, WORDS would carry the heaviest weight because of both the intrinsic and face values of WORDS itself.  When all hell will break loose, we can only pray to the Gods📗📙📘

In real life, it is so effortless to speak without thinking.  To NOT genuinely listen and connect with people, WORDS, when used in the wrong way can be devastating, without exaggerating things.  YES, WORDS are containers of power.  The world's superpowers, OR even the most vociferous celebrities we know, their primary tool is their WORDS, using it to either motivate themselves OR conversely, deflate the thoughts of people they are NOT aligned with❎❎❎

Frankly, WORDS have that enormous and bottomless pit of power to either excite, inspire, elate, sadden frighten, anger OR positively to give that glimmer of hope.  Fact is, your own language is your behavior itself.  WHAT you say matters and it does shape yourself inside out, your work, your life both your personal and professional lives.  Truth of the matter, WHAT you say has the potential to make OR ruin someone's day.  On the other hand, a simple act of kindness can transform lives💧💧💧

WHEN some of us would have hit 'rock bottom' in life, we can't give up of bouncing back in life especially when we would then benefit the healing elixir of WORDS of encouragements from our family and trusted friends.  Countless of people I know first-hand did have that 180-degree turnaround in their lives when people WHO cared for, really went to the limits to extricate him from that chronic situation.   Looking back, do we truly know WHAT someone else is going through?  Can we ever understand the emotional turmoil one is going through?  Sadly, NOT so palpable on the surface but each of us are going through with our own subset of problems and as outliers, some are grappling with top-heavy challenges in life that can knock them off anytime even as we speak now.  BUT do we leave a hapless fellow down???

Our takeaway:  Let us be conscious and more deliberate with WORDS.  We CAN'T just shoot from the hip.  Even 'off the cuff' WORDS CAN'T be an avenue to absolve us from that guilt.  We got to realize that there is NO one WHO can escape the matrix of vulnerability that we all inherently possess.  The least we can do is be compassionate and offer comfort.  It may even make their day.  OR it may just inspire them to think and contemplate HOW they can still improve their lot❗❗❗

Listening Does NOT Mean Agreeing

Listening Does NOT Mean Agreeing

Just the other day, the revered late Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter was given the memorial services  befitting his stature and all the living former U.S. Presidents were all in attendance.  For the curious ones, in the videos, we would see Former President Barack Obama seated next to incoming President Donald Trump.  And everyone in geo-politics know well the animosity between them from way back.  Yet, in all the footages, they seemed to get along fine during the memorial services.  They even looked like closely knit allies through the decades.  In the footage, we can see Trump seemingly cracking a joke and Obama laughed and whispered something back to him.  That made news, not just in CNN.  YES, some read those moments as hypocritical OR even sinister in some way.  BUT those moments are telling us something else.  THAT regardless, Listening Does NOT Mean Agreeing📗📙📘

A more positive perspective is that basic humanity does transcend politics, WHICH is actually refreshing to hear considering that almost every talking point now gets sensationalized to score 'internet points'.  YES it's normal to be cordial toward your seatmate in a funeral and it SHOULDN't be an issue❎❎❎

True, funerals are reminders that, no matter WHO you're dunking on today, NO matter WHAT the power OR money you won OR lost, our time here is indeed short and most of this will eventually be forgotten.  In our daily lives, there will be days WHEN someone keeps on talking and you just CAN'T agree.  BUT unless you are flagged down to give your on-the-spot reaction, you can reserve your frank words at the right moment.  I've been through that, listening to someone I just CAN'T stand but listening does NOT equate to agreeing.  That very basic distinction should draw the line and reduce any blurred ones because in the past, I heard frank reactions like, WHY SHOULD I LISTEN WHEN I DON'T AGREE WITH HIS STATEMENTS💥💥💥

Through the years, I realized that one of the things that stops us from truly LISTENING to the other person is that FEAR that LISTENING might indicate that we agree with WHAT they are saying [BUT that's NOT the case though].  WHAT if we DON'T agree?  Should we NOT start making our case right from the very first sentence we heard?  Does silence NOT mean assent?  NOT really so, dude.  Hear me out though😌😌😌

Our takeaway:  LISTENING to and agreeing with are two different processes.  And in between the two lies a third one, that is, UNDERSTANDING.  WHEN someone is sharing their experience, their feelings OR even their own thoughts, there is really NOTHING to agree to OR disagree with.  The experience, the feelings and the thoughts belong to the person WHO is having and sharing them.  YES dude, LISTENING DOES NOT MEAN AGREEING, seriously❗❗❗

Those LITTLE Things Are BIG Ones!!!

Those LITTLE Things Are BIG Ones!!!

Often, we hear that life is WHAT happens WHEN you're busy making other plans.  You can have an idea in your head of HOW you want things to go BUT that DOESN'T mean the world will listen to you.  True. many unfortunate things in life do surface and some of those happenings can be tough.  Sometimes, grief puts the world in slow motion.  Sometimes your life flashes before your eyes WHEN a part of it ends.  Sometimes, it feels like the world has been flipped over.  Like the Planet Earth has grown tired of spinning.  True, some things tend to be OUT OF CONTROL.  BUT can we agree that Those LITTLE Things Are BIG Ones!!!  So, WHAT makes your day beautiful?  Hopefully, it's way and beyond the material and luxurious things in life, way beyond the surprise gifts heaped upon you, and way beyond even those prized asset acquisitions which take a lifetime for others to achieve💥💥💥

Things come to a point when you hit the sack after a long day.  So, WHAT makes you think by then?  Do you smile looking back at something that happened during the day?  It might be a SMALL thing and that's WHERE the beauty lies.  Let's try it.  'Enjoy the LITTLE things in life for one day, you'll look back and realize that they were BIG things'.  That quote has stuck with me since the first time I read it.  And it just makes so much sense💦💦💦

Throughout everyday and every week WHEN we grind, likely most of us go through our routines and most likely they are pre-set   Sometimes, we get so busy with life that we try to get by each day and we look for that next BIG event to happen in our lives. There was a time before WHEN I saw each day as one day closer, instead of LIVING EACH DAY, instead of LIVING IN THE MOMENT.  There were even times WHERE I would count down in the amount of days until I was able to go on vacation.  However, I then realized that I could have missed out on WHAT could have happened on the days leading up. As we speak now, I will stand my ground to defend and justify the quote that THOSE LITTLE THINGS ARE BIG ONES!!! 

Now, let's agree that a common disconnect here is that 'LITTLE THINGS' has a relative meaning.  For me, it means listening to music, spending time with family and friends, enjoying my favorite foods, OR doing all three of these things at the same time.  Of course, these are just a few of many other LITTLE things.  Sometimes, we get so busy with life that we try to get by each day and we look for that next BIG event to happen in our lives💦💦💦

Our takeaway:  If you enjoy reading a book before you go to bed, make a point to do it.  If you enjoy going on for a run, make a point to do it.  If you enjoy playing music, make a point to do it.  If you enjoy talking and getting to know people, make a point to do it.  I could on forever because every person as different things they like to do.  WHAT I'm saying here is that in the grand scheme of things, each day comes and goes much faster than we realize.  And as we only have so much time to live, WHY can't we relish each day and every single thing that happens on a daily basis, and that includes THOSE LITTLE THINGS because they are BIG ONES as well💥💥💥

Is Narcissism An Issue?

Is Narcissism An Issue?

Is Narcissism An Issue?  C'mon dude, let's NOT make an issue out of it.  Much as the majority of us WON'T admit it, many of us [including moi in the past] did go through some levels and shades of NARCISSISM, and that is NOT and should NEVER be an issue.  For alignment, let's agree to Mr Google's definition that NARCISSISM is a personality disorder where a person tends to be generally unhappy and worse, disappointed when either they DON'T receive the admiration, attention OR favor they requested📗📙📘

One huge disconnect about NARCISSISM is that it is treated as either BLACK or WHITE, which is NOT in the first place.  As there is no exact barometer to measure the level of NARCISSISM, there is a huge range WHERE at any point in time one's NARCISSISTIC issues get tagged.  It could be as subtle as sometimes feeling down WHEN NOT appreciated or NOT receiving the attention he/she was expecting.  And BTW, that's very relative and NOT absolute because there is NO exact science that will validate if someone requires the APPRECIATION or ATTENTION at that moment in time.  In short, let's be less tough WHEN NARCISSISM tends to manifest💦💦💦

In truth and in fact, all experts sing one common tune, that is, NARCISSISM is NOT just a mindset BUT as a whole, it is HOW you perceive and it depends on WHICH aspects you focus.  Experts claim that NARCISSISM is NOT even pathological because there exist healthy NARCISSISM WHICH is described as having ambition, self care, leadership and being highly driven in WHAT 'passionate' the person💧💧💧

And WHILE competition itself is often done in unhealthy proportions, there still exists sane competitivity.  And WHILE NARCISSISM is NOT that of a major issue, everyone does counsel us that it remains something that, most often, will take decades [note that it's PLURAL] to really simmer down.  Again, NARCISSISM between two people can even reflect a huge disparity, which means, it can take one decade for one BUT decades for another one's NARCISSISM to simmer down💥💥💥

Although researchers found that on average, NARCISSISM gradually declined as people aged, the 'results show that that decline is NOT as large as one might hope'.  In fact, the same experts claim that most declines in NARCISSISM took place over the span of decades.  That explains WHY WHEN you look back at how a close friend behaved 20 or 30 years ago, you would likely notice the change.  BUT they added that the average decline was at most of moderate size, so, let's NOT expect people's NARCISSISM to change fundamentally❗❗❗

Nope, Life Is NOT A Competition!

Nope, Life Is NOT A Competition!

Like all these flowers that bloom on their own and NOT bothered as to how the other flowers are blooming, there is that growing misconception that given the challenges in life, life is a competition BUT Nope, Life Is NOT A Competition at all.  And although it seems that way, it is unfortunate that it seems, sometimes jealousy can get the best of us.  So, HOW often do you find yourself getting jealous of other people?  And does jealousy affect the way you perceive others OR the way you perceive yourself???

Many times in the past, I admit that I had that recurring tendency to compare, compete and be jealous of others, thinking that I DIDN'T measure up].  BUT alas, over time, I did learn HOW to navigate these feelings of jealousy by understanding the difference between NEGATIVE competition and POSITIVE competition.  So, HOW did I learn that life is NOT a competition

NOT to blame my parents or even my mentors in school BUT as a young adult, I was under the constant impression that life is a competition, WHICH was a big issue for me and seemed to make sense, especially as someone involved in real-life competitions.  So, the past decades or so, I've done quite a bit of personal growth even as I erroneously believed then that I was already past that stage of being jealous of others

NOT until I went through numerous challenging situations, and those were 'friendly reminders' to me as to HOW jealous and competitive I can still be [during those years]. With intense soul searching, I realized that much of the conflict and judgment that shows up has got to do more with me being overly competitive with them [WHEN in truth, I DIDN'T realize then that there was NO competition].  By then, I realized I had to navigate jealousy itself.  And while it was easy to tell someone that life is NOT a competition, it was hard to eliminate jealousy within ourselves 

Our takeaway:  As we live in a very competitive world, early in life we learn to compete and as we get into the 'real world', we often continue to compete with family members, friends, coworkers and the rest, especially in our professional lives.  WHAT we missed out are the NEGATIVE effects of competition which can even result in lower self-esteem, sometimes even impacting relationships.  And before things turn from bad to worse, let us agree that LIFE IS NOT A COMPETITION!!!