<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>They say it is worse than obeah and stronger than any coolie duppy. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>BAD MIND.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Those two words evoke such negative reaction 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>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>A pastor once joked that it and not football was the national past time. But what exactly do we call ‘bad mind’? </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The Urban Dictionary refers to it as ‘someone <a href="https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=resentful">resentful</a> of the fortune or success of others, wishing for their ruin, <a href="https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=downfall">downfall</a>, failure etc; the Patwah translation has a similar leaning, holding that it is ‘jealousy or envy’ while the Jamaican Talk defines it as<em> ‘</em>people who hate others because of their accomplishments’. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Whichever definition you prefer, it comes down to the same conclusion: it is not a good thing to be.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>So how do you spot traces of bad mind in people and even yourself? </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Examine the checklist.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>1. You either consciously
or subconsciously try to undermine relationships around you. You just cannot let
others be great.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<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>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>3. Instead of celebrating
a person’s success, you get upset and angry about it.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>4. You compare yourself to
others constantly</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>5. There is a constant need to ‘one-up’ people.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>6. Gossiping is second nature and you find yourself with the person’s name in your mouth daily.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>7. You downplay the successes of others while flaunting your own.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>8. When people talk about
someone successful, you roll your eyes.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>9. You mock, jeer or imitate the person behind their back.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>10. You dislike people for no conceivable reason. Sometimes even people who you do not know personally.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<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>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->