Jealousy...

By Ciara, age 13, New Jersey

Have you ever seen a friend showing off her new Gucci shades and Prada tote? Have you ever felt that rock in the pit of your stomach when you noticed everything she has seems miles better than yours? Or have you ever seen your BFF hanging with someone new and maybe not hanging with you as much? Actually, pretty much everyone has felt their heart sink to jealousy. Whether it's because of people bragging or how the new girl has befriended your best friend, it's all the same in the big picture.

There is a saying that "Jealousy is the greatest form of flattery", but who wants to be hurt from the flattery? Friendships have battled jealousy and many times have lost. I've seen the greatest friends become worst enemies. When Lena* made a list for the end-of-the-year party, she made a list of whom she was inviting ... and numbered everyone. Lena had just recently become friends with a new "clique" and her old friends felt left out. Jessica*, who used to be Lena's best friend, was becoming angry with Lena and jealous of her new friends. What did they have that she didn't?

Well, a rumor was started that Jessica wasn't even on the list, and another said she was on the list, but she was the last one. Of course the rumors were not true, but Jess didn't find that out until too late. She had already yelled at Lena, thrown their BFF picture in the dirt, and left Lena standing speechless. Two weeks later Jessica learned that the rumors were false, but by then she had lost her best friend of all time.

"I deeply regret what I did. I jumped to conclusions and wasn't thinking. I never even considered that the rumors weren't true. All I could see in my mind was Lena and her new friends laughing their heads off. I guess I was jealous and stupid", Jess told me with a sad and distressed look on her face.

Jealousy - Is it worth it? You decide.

Tips to Handle Jealousy

If your friend is bragging about her stuff, think about all the things you have and are thankful for. If they go over the top with it, confront them in a nice way so they won't freak on you. Make sure you don't freak either!

If your friend starts to hang with some new people then befriend them too! You will end up with new people to talk to and tons more fun.

Never think you're not "up to standards". Remember, it's what's inside that counts - not what's outside or what's in the bank!

Everyone has different talents. If you're ever jealous of something they can do, remember what you're able to do that they can't!

*names have been changed

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