On the need for a better word than "schadenfreude"
April 5 2010, 10:18 PM
I was reading a blog post tonight that I came across serendipitously by an
author with many of the same traits I have, yet who also suffers from
serious illness and has other major difficulties. I thought a number of
things reading it, but one of them was an idea similar to but better than
schadenfreude, the taking of delight in the misfortunes of others. I
thought that there should be a word for gaining a better perspective or a
new appreciation of your life due to the misfortunes of others. For that's
what I gained from reading this man's story. It's difficult to share our misfortunes. Often times we don't want people's
help or sympathy: we just would like someone to listen and empathize. If
others go off an better appreciate life as a result, that is a positive
thing in itself. It is best to inspire people by what we achieve. Other times we can help
people by showing what can be endured. With luck we can always help people
appreciate what they have. (Hacked on my Blackberry)
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Sent from my BlackBerry Handheld.
author with many of the same traits I have, yet who also suffers from
serious illness and has other major difficulties. I thought a number of
things reading it, but one of them was an idea similar to but better than
schadenfreude, the taking of delight in the misfortunes of others. I
thought that there should be a word for gaining a better perspective or a
new appreciation of your life due to the misfortunes of others. For that's
what I gained from reading this man's story. It's difficult to share our misfortunes. Often times we don't want people's
help or sympathy: we just would like someone to listen and empathize. If
others go off an better appreciate life as a result, that is a positive
thing in itself. It is best to inspire people by what we achieve. Other times we can help
people by showing what can be endured. With luck we can always help people
appreciate what they have. (Hacked on my Blackberry)
-----------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Handheld.