When you notice a beautiful person, especially of the same sex, do you resent them? When you see me being successful at work, are you trying to find fault with it? When you hear someone having fun, do you feel annoyed?
Chances are you've (silently, secretly) answered yes to one or all of these scenarios because most of us are infected by the zero sum virus. It's a disease that's got the world in a tight grip. We're taught that there's only so much to go around -- beauty, success, fun, money, love, happiness -- so we have to be in competition to get our share. And who wants to miss out, right?!
Do you sense how ridiculous this is? How can my beauty take away from your beauty? How would my blessed relationship minimize the bliss of yours? How does my being successful prevent you from being on top of your game? How does my health limit yours?
Nature is inherently abundant. Flowers don't compete for beauty. The planets don't race to be the sun's favorite. The elements don't to try to annihilate one another so that there's only one best element left at the end.
The zero sum virus is in our blood because it's been transmitted over generations. It's creeping in our bone marrow. Whole nations are infected. Cultures have been built on putrefied ideas. Peoples' thoughts are contagious.
The way to zap the zero sum virus is to heal one individual at a time. Regeneration from the ground up. How do you create an inner ecology that zilches zero sum? By shining your light. By treasuring your beauty. By honoring your brilliance. By building immunity against the germs of jealousy, the infections of inferiority, the shingles of schadenfreude.
The medicine administered is this: step into your divine magnificence. Own how awesome you are. Use you abilities and talents to contribute to society. Let your inspiration uplift others, too. Let compassion be a top skill. Learn to love yourself. All else will rise into place.
And isn't it funny that zapping the zero sum virus happens through love, not war. See for yourself. Play with joy. Share with your friends and family. Let it ripple outward. The power to transform things has been in us all along. It's time to appreciate it.