The give and take of things: a lesson in freudenfreude

We just finished participating in the FedEx Small Business Grant competition. It’s an amazing opportunity for small businesses like ours to get some $ to build their business. No payback required. That’s the most powerful part because you actually get to keep everything that comes as a result. But for a giver like me, it’s also the hardest part. Givers are really good at giving. But often not as good at receiving.

Part of the competition is asking our friends, family, and the folks who read what we write, to vote for us. Not just one day…but actually several. So, more asking and more receiving.

But I’m starting to see that people are really actually happy to vote. It’s a small thing, like a wink or an emoji. But it’s a way to say ‘I’m rooting for you. ‘ Or I believe in you. And somehow, knowing that makes it easier.

The most important thing, I think, is to believe that what we offer is of value. And happily receiving what others offer us gives us the chance to accept their gifts as well. There is a cool word called freudenfreude. In short, Finding pleasure in another person’s good fortune is what social scientists call “freudenfreude,” a term (inspired by the German word for “joy”) that describes the bliss we feel when someone else succeeds, even if it doesn’t directly involve us, according to the New York Times.

What a cool concept…that, when we’re really doing things right, we can Bliss out, not just from our own successes, but also from the joy of the successes we watch from the sidelines. It’s not always easy, because we live in a culture that invites us to compare ourselves to others. If someone else is successful, it can be challenging not to compare their successes to our challenges and feel depressed. But the truth is, success is a community project. Nobody reaches the top without support from others.

My promise to you is that, we are going to continue to try and overdeliver joy and fun and adventure and connection. We will continue working to grow My Gnome on the Roam, to include as many families as we can, and to make our own little footprints as the future unfolds. We promise to share our successes as well as our struggles. And we promise to celebrate your adventures as you celebrate ours. Speaking of which… look who got featured in CNN.

To Freudenfreude,
Team Gnome