Jealousy is an ugly little beast. It is one of those creatures that a lot of people have and one that they know they have. It lurks in the dark recesses of our minds and bodies. It's like a little green cell floating through our blood waiting for the moment when it overtakes our bodies and changes us into this green eyed nasty monster.

A monster that changes our perspective and views. It flaws them and opens a door to our emotions that twist our insides into loathing, distrusting creatures that we don't know and hate to see. It's a creature that overpowers us and becomes greater than who we are.

When we look into a mirror during one of its tormenting, raging moments, we don't see ourselves as the beautiful people who look back. We see a creature that distorts are own being.

Jealousy is an ugly thing. Jealousy in a marriage or relationship can drive a wedge thicker than one could imagine. It can ruin the relationship by causing feelings to overwhelm the very goodness and nature of love and compassion.

Why do we feel jealous ?

Jealousy is not something we are born with. It is something we learn or develops over time. The problem with jealousy is that once the seed is planted, it doesn't take long for it to grow into some nasty little beast.

Jealousy stems from fear. Fear that someone is better than you, or prettier, or because of the relationship they have with someone you care about or love.

Jealousy can also come from feeling inadequate. Maybe the jealousy stems from wanting something that someone else has, which also grows a nasty creature by the name of envy.

How does jealousy make us feel ?

Jealousy makes us angry and sad, it creates ugly feelings about ourselves and the ones we love. These feelings can create feelings of mistrust, regret, and anger. When you impose those feelings on others, you create a monster that no one wants to be around.

When the monster hits you may say things you don't mean or respond in a tone that invokes anger. You may try to justify your feelings by putting other people down. You may find yourself letting your imagination go wild and this makes the monster grow bigger and bigger.

The thing about jealousy is that it not only affects how you respond to others, but it also affects how you look at yourself. You might start feeling worthless, ugly, and pitiful. You start making yourself less than the person who you really are. You look in the mirror and realize that the monster is there and it changes you.

Can you get rid of the monster forever?

Jealousy is not a monster than you can erase from your character. However, it is a monster that you can tame and put on a short leash.

One of the things you have to do is look closely at the reasons why you feel so jealous. What things make you feel that way? What is it about yourself that you can improve on to leash the monster?

This will mean taking a long hard look at yourself. It means finding out what it is about yourself that makes you feel the way you do. Is it a lack of self confidence ? Is it a past hurt to your ego that you haven't let go of? Is it comparing yourself to someone else and not appreciating all the beautiful qualities that make you, you ?

If it is a situation with someone you are in a relationship with, ask youself what is the cause? If the other person in the relationship has a friend that they are really close to , find out what it is that makes their friendship so unique. Don't put yourself down and make yourself believe that you are less.

When the monster starts growing, think about what it is that has set it off. When you are in the middle of an attack, find another way to release your feelings. Don't take it out on the other person or people. And don't take it out on yourself. If you like to write, make a journal and put all those feelings in there. Go back and read it later, you might find yourself laughing. If it's a situation you are in, walk away, take a deep breath, and find something else to do to relax you.

Jealousy is an ugly little monster but you can put it on a leash.