The envious live in a wasteland that becomes more toxic with the passing of time. Instead of hating those who appear to have a better life or nicer possessions, we need to recognize that they may have worked many years to acquire what they have.
Instead of filling our hearts with the bitter fruit of jealousy, we need to focus on our own unique gifts. In my family, one sister is artistic and musical, another takes wonderful photographs, a third is a talented seamstress and a fourth has a generous spirit of compassion she turned into a career with the Red Cross. Although each of us had the same upbringing, we are distinctly different. Carrying a grudge because a family member, friend or co-worker - excels at something wastes precious energy preventing a person from mining his or her own talents.
In "Halifax" http://www.amazon.com/Halifax-ebook/dp/B00AVME2R4 Ellie's older sister is beautiful, has married well and is educated. She's everything Ellie is not. The problem is that instead of turning "green with envy", Ellie needs to turn inward, discover her own unique abilities and figure out how to develop them. Until she does, she/ll never find the happiness she seeks.