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<p>There are certain character flaws that are utterly despised by Jamaicans and you should endeavour to never be labelled as.</p>
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<p>Top of the list? Badmind.</p>
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<p>Songs have been written about it, many a round table discussion spent lambasting those guilty of it and endless resentment towards those who've shown signs of it towards you.</p>
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<p>The phrase evokes such negative reactions from people that when someone is accused of it, it is almost a guaranteed fight or argument. Some people wallow in it, others are in denial but their actions speak louder than their words.  </p>
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<p>A pastor once joked that it and not football was the national past time. But what exactly do we call ‘badmind’? </p>
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<p>The Urban Dictionary refers to it as ‘someone resentful of the fortune or success of others, wishing for their ruin, downfall, failure..." The Patois translation has a similar leaning, holding that it is <em>‘</em>people who hate others because of their accomplishments.’ </p>
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<p>Whichever definition you prefer, it comes down to the same conclusion: it is not a good thing to be.</p>
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<p>So how do you spot traces of badmind in people and even yourself? </p>
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<h3>Examine the checklist.</h3>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/Checklist-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1675" /></figure>
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<p>1. You either consciously
or subconsciously try to undermine relationships around you. You just cannot let
others be great.</p>
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<p>2. Even when you say good
things to people, it lacks warmth and sincerity. I guess you do not hide it
very well</p>
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<p>3. Instead of celebrating
a person’s success, you get upset and angry about it.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/Angry-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4792" /></figure>
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<p>4. You compare yourself to
others constantly</p>
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<p>5. There is a constant need to ‘one-up’ people.</p>
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<p>6. Gossiping is second nature and you find yourself with the person’s name in your mouth daily.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/Gossip-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4793" /></figure>
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<p>7. You downplay the successes of others while flaunting your own.</p>
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<p>8. When people talk about
someone successful, you roll your eyes.</p>
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<p>9. You mock, jeer or imitate the person behind their back.</p>
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<p>10. You dislike people for no conceivable reason. Sometimes even people who you do not know personally.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/dislike-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4794" /></figure>
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<p>If four or five of these
red flags apply to you, you may want to get some professional help because
living in a world of hate is no world you should want to be a citizen of.</p>
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<p>So on a scale of "green with envy" to flat out "badmind" tell us where you stand in the comments.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Written by C.W.</em></strong></p>
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