Everybody Wins

This time of year, it's hard to to play the comparison game.  Everyone in the world is sharing their joys, their accomplishments, all the good things that have happened to them in the past year.  There are tons of photos: the smiling faces, happy families and blissful couples just beaming with love.  The song says it's the most wonderful time of the year.  And in a sense, it is.

But can be hard too, especially when things in your life aren't exactly settled in the way you'd like them to be.  If your job just isn't as fulfilling as you'd like - your home is a bit more shabby than chic - your kids are a bit more out of sorts than you'd wish them to be.  If you're without a partner or a promotion or financial security, it can be really hard to look at all that celebration and not feel at least a little sour.

That's part of being a human being.  As social animals, it's natural to observe what someone else has and maybe to want it for ourself.  We aren't bad for experiencing envy.   A little envy can be a catalyst to encourage us to examine our own lives and choices.  It can spur us to be more proactive or shake us out of our comfort zone.  It doesn't have to be bad.

And in fact, seeing others achieve can be downright wonderful.

When you have your head right, someone else's happiness doesn't have to diminish your own.  In fact, it can multiply it.  When your heart is full of love for yourself, other people finding love is a source of joy.  If you have an attitude of abundance, then someone else getting something good doesn't mean that there is less for you.  Happiness, it turns out, is not a zero sum game.  Quite the opposite.