Here’s a tenant from The Optimist’s Creed that, if we’re truly honest with ourselves, might sting a little: “To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.” Now, let’s not pretend this is a natural human inclination. Our default setting often leans more towards mild jealousy, grudging admiration, or a quick internal comparison that inevitably leaves us feeling slightly inadequate. To genuinely rejoice in someone else’s good fortune with the same fervor we reserve for our own triumphs? That’s less a casual suggestion and more a profound spiritual exercise.
The cynical mind, of course, would immediately detect the scent of passive aggression or feigned sincerity here. But this isn’t about performing enthusiasm. It’s about cultivating a genuine, unadulterated joy for the achievements of others. And why is this so hard? Because our brains, in their infinite wisdom, are remarkably good at framing life as a zero-sum game. If someone else wins, we often subconsciously perceive it as less for us. Which, frankly, is an exhausting way to navigate the world.
To genuinely rejoice in someone else’s good fortune with the same fervor we reserve for our own triumphs? That’s less a casual suggestion and more a profound spiritual exercise.
This tenant challenges us to dismantle that scarcity mindset. It asks us to recognize that the universe isn’t a pie of finite success; it’s more like an ever-expanding, gloriously messy potluck. Someone else’s brilliant new project, their well-deserved promotion, or their unexpected stroke of good luck doesn’t diminish your own potential or hard-won victories. In fact, it often enriches the collective experience. When a friend succeeds, it’s a testament to what’s possible, a tangible piece of evidence that effort, talent, or simply good fortune can indeed pay off. It lights a path, perhaps even for you. “To be just as enthusiastic” means shedding the insidious comparisons, muting the internal critic that whispers, “Why not me?” and instead, allowing yourself to fully embrace the moment of another’s flourishing. It requires a generosity of spirit, a willingness to celebrate without reservation. It’s about finding genuine pleasure in witnessing a friend’s shine, understanding that their light doesn’t somehow dim your own. In a rather self-deprecating way, it forces us to confront our own petty insecurities and ask if we’d rather live in a world where everyone is perpetually struggling so we can feel marginally better by comparison. The answer, one hopes, is a resounding “no.”
Moreover, there’s a wonderfully pragmatic aspect to this tenant: shared joy is amplified joy. When you celebrate someone else’s success with genuine enthusiasm, you’re not just making them feel good; you’re creating a powerful positive feedback loop. You’re building stronger connections, fostering a supportive community, and, ironically, increasing the likelihood that your own successes will be met with similar fervor. It’s the ultimate long-term investment in positive human interaction, yielding returns far richer than any solitary triumph could offer.
So, while our baser instincts might occasionally nudge us towards a quiet sigh of envy, this tenant calls us to something far more noble and, frankly, far more enjoyable. It’s a challenge to expand our capacity for happiness beyond the confines of our own achievements, to genuinely revel in the good fortune of others. Because when you truly embrace the success of your friends, you’re not just being a good sport; you’re participating in a larger, more abundant vision of what humanity can achieve. And really, who wouldn’t want to be part of that kind of party?
How do you personally shift your mindset from comparison to celebration when a friend achieves something significant?
Justin Lockridge 
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