The Good Fortune of Others

Today I had a program on TV called "Music and the Spoken Word" and heard this story and it really struck a chord within me. I have always known it was important to show compassion and love towards those who are struggling, and to comfort those who need comforting. But a few years ago I learned the importance of also feeling and showing love and excitement for those who are experiencing happy and wonderful times in their lives, as well, when someone truly touched my heart by their sincere happiness and excitement for me (would you believe it was over something as simple as a new haircut!?). I loved this story and wanted to share:

"A high school senior answered her phone, just hours before she was to address her graduating class as valedictorian. On the other end she heard a voice she recognized. It was Sandy. She and Sandy often vied for the same honors and positions. Sandy usually took second. But that day, Sandy was first in the eyes of her rival, because of what she said: “I hope you do well today. I know you can do it. I’ll be right there cheering you on.”

Who succeeded that day? Certainly the young woman speaking from the podium was touted as a success. But that afternoon she had learned the lesson of a lifetime from second-place Sandy. Someone wisely said that “one of the sanest, surest, and most generous joys of life comes from being happy over the good fortune of others.”1

How often do we support or applaud those who have succeeded, even if it came at our own expense? Or do we complain and cast a sour comment at their accomplishment? Do we offer true congratulations, or do we enviously shrink from the moment, wishing we had done so well?

It’s easy to extol the success of someone who comes from behind—unless they come from behind us. In our success-driven world we sometimes revel in comparisons and judgments; we seem to think that discounting another’s advances will somehow make us feel better about ourselves.

But life is not a pie with only so many pieces. Celebrating the success of others takes us closer to, not farther from, our own victory. When we invest attention and energy in the people around us, their accomplishments become ours and we’re more likely to fully see and appreciate true greatness.

So the next time a friend or associate is enjoying good fortune, be the one to say, “I’m behind you, and I’m cheering you on."

I like to have a picture with each of my posts (sometimes that doesn't happen). I was trying to think of a picture I could include along with this one, and decided that posting a picture of someone who I think is a good example of the principle talked about in this story was the way to go:

So here is a picture of my beautiful mother-in-law, Elaine. She is such a good example of someone who is always happy for others when something wonderful happens to them. (And for that matter, an example of someone who is also sympathetic and loving when something not-so-good happens to someone:)