Envy

As I sat in my cube typing away on a proposal, I received a call from a close friend. Not looking at the caller ID before I answered I was caught off guard when I heard his voice. If it had been any other day last month it wouldn't have mattered, but on this particular I had a serious case of "the No BS mood". Lately, I have been having a hard time recovering from the Costodondritis shots I received early this month and therefore having a really hard time dealing with my disease.
My friend has been going through much drama lately. He started to explain that he has been having several "Episodes". During these "Episodes" he has severe depression moments, which were ignited by a bad break-up. I've tried to be as objective as possible, since I have dealt with many mentally ill people throughout my professional and personal life, but on this particular day I just was not in the mental capacity to speak sympathetically.
As he began to tell his story about how his self esteem was so low that he didn't think he had much to live for. For the most part this young man leads a great life. He makes a decent salary, has a great apartment, new car, no debt, and most of all is very healthy. In fact he is so healthy that he has taken up boxing as a hobby. Therefore as I sat and listened I unconsciously began to become envious of his life. Although I don't like to be envious of people because it eventually leads to bitterness. At this particular moment, I slowly started to create a certain resentment. I started to reflect on my daily pain when I breathe and how sick I feel for no particular reason Slowly I started to feel a little pissed.
At this point in my head there wasn't any room for sympathy, so I just blurred it out!
I told him he was "WRONG"! I began to tell him how difficult my life is just to get to work. I have to sleep nine hours, take expensive medications, vitamins and minerals, get enough daily rest, no stress, no extraneous exercise, take pain shots and see various doctors, which amounts to high medical bills and on and on. He stood quiet, because my list turned into a rant. I know this conversation was supposed to be about him, but I felt a bit a selfishness on his part. I quickly calmed down and began to explain all of the positives in his life, which included that he has it easier than most people.
After my Envious moment, I felt proud that I had it more mentally together despite all of my problems than a "normal" person did. Unlike this person I have accepted my disease and decided to live with it and continue on my quest to live a better life every time. Later on that day, my friend called to thank me. I could here the sadness in his voice. He told me that what I told him earlier helped him realize that he does have a good life and much more to live for. I told him I wouldn't mind living vicariously through him. I asked him to do great things, so I could hear his awesome adventure stories and I apologized if I got a carried away.
My rundown is sometimes keeping it real with people is actually healthier than just agreeing with them or listening to them. I always have and always will keep it real and whenever I feel down I think of how lucky I am compared to others!