Comments | anahata56: Whatever it's called, it's the opposite

anahata56

Whatever it's called, it's the opposite

Feb 10, 2009 11:44

I try, very, very hard, not to indulge too often or too deeply in schadenfreude. I've had that turned on me far too often to feel any kind of good about turning it on other people, no matter how deserving. And so while every so often, someone's disaster gives me a moment's squee, more often than not, it's the other way around ( Read more... )

lj, ponderings, good things

Comments 25

azbound February 10 2009, 17:34:13 UTC

Congratulations!! From what I've read, you've more than earned that bonus. In more ways than one.

Your happiness is my happiness. :-)

anahata56 February 10 2009, 17:41:02 UTC

Thanks, Honey.

See, that's the way I feel--I love it when people around me are doing well, and I want to celebrate with them.

But at the same time, I never know when someone is going to be even more hurt than they already are when they see someone else doing well.

lolleeroberts February 10 2009, 17:38:14 UTC

Shared joy is doubled. Good news is always welcome. I'm always happy to see my friends doing better, getting raises or bonuses or being allowed to work from home. Heck, sometimes seeing someone else find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is what keeps me slogging through a mountain of leprechaun shit.

Schadenfreude to me is rejoicing at the pain of others. I have experienced it occasionally, and I almost always feel tainted by it somehow. Yes, it's usually someone who treated me shabbily, but isn't being glad life's biting them in the butt a way of descending to their level in the most passive-aggressive way possible? (And yes, there's a situation that's causing me a twinge of Schadenfreude today and I'm striving to rise above it.)

But your news is wonderful! Conga-rats! I know that it's been tight this last year with Paul's health issues and I'm glad you're getting some breathing room.

anahata56 February 10 2009, 17:44:50 UTC

I know what you mean about feeling tainted--it's really a not-nice thing to feel. But yeah, I'm there sometimes, and I had a moment of it today, so this post is kind of like...um...

But the thing is, I'm really not like that (any more than you are) on a regular basis. Most of the time I read about someone having a hard time and I think, oh, SHIT.

This winter has been disastrous, for so many people. And I'm certainly not trying to gloat...

But at the same time, we couldn't have gotten this news at a better time.

faxpaladin February 10 2009, 17:40:42 UTC

Yay!

anahata56 February 10 2009, 17:45:41 UTC

Now it's your turn for good news!

I can't wait to hear about the next adventure coming up for YOU.

jynxgirl February 10 2009, 17:42:32 UTC

I never really look at posts like this as schadenfreude, but as a chance to celebrate a fantastic situation with people I care about!
Congratulations on your bonus, AND your raise! From what I know about you and what you write about here, it is well deserved. :)
*hugs*

anahata56 February 10 2009, 17:46:40 UTC

I don't know how we made it last summer, with Paul on disability payment, but it's starting to catch up now and this will definitely give us some breathing room...

jynxgirl February 10 2009, 18:12:49 UTC

Which is always fantastic. :) I finally got some cheques I've been waiting on, so I feel the breathing room now with all my bills caught up and a nice new office chair to boot.

chelsearoad February 10 2009, 18:22:39 UTC

Me, too, jynxgirl.

Major Yay!!!!!

ladyqkat February 10 2009, 17:49:44 UTC

This is very good news to hear and I am pleased for you.

Even though a lot of stuff in my life tanked in the last few years, I think that going through our own personal financial and emotional meltdowns nearly a year before the world-wide meltdowns made it much easier for sordak and me to cope with things going south for everyone else.

I rejoice for those friends who have jobs and some stability, send Good Thoughts™ to those who have been hit hard by this entire mess and cherish the few comforts I do have.

And mixed in with all of that is a bit of wonder at the fact that if my own personal life had not taken the downturn it did, I would never have even tried to fulfill my childhood dream of becoming a writer. The next thing is to become a published writer.

anahata56 February 10 2009, 17:58:39 UTC

You know, that's what I hope for the most.

So often in my life, when a door closed, another one opened that was so much better, so much more perfect, and I know that I always looked back on that situation with gratitude, because I know that I never would have thought to do anything like I did if I hadn't gotten kicked in the pants and MADE to do it.

If my friends have to go through hardship, I really and sincerely hope that it's because what they have waiting for them on the other side is so much better that they won't feel the sting for too long at all.