Article June 1, 1998 Issue

"I'm so happy for you," ... but what about me?

Why others' blessings are good news for you, too

By Barbara Beth Whitewater

"I'm So Happy for you." Have you ever said that to someone but not really meant it? Perhaps you were thinking, "Why does she get all the breaks? What about me?" Or "There he goes boasting again." If you've ever had those kinds of thoughts, rest assured; you're not alone. There is a way, however, not only to avoid feeling left out or envious or resentful in response to others' good, but to share their happiness.

In order to feel happy about others' good fortune, it's vital to recognize that all good comes from God and that this good is available to anyone and everyone. Therefore, another's good news is your good news as well. It's something of an invitation to celebrate the evidence of God's outpouring of blessings.

Learning to appreciate another's good fortune gave me fresh insight into the Bible's commandment "Thou shalt not covet" (Ex. 20:17). I saw that I actually have no reason to covet, because I can trust that God is providing for my needs as fully as He is for everyone else. Affirming the impartial nature of God's love, Mary Baker Eddy comments, "Not more to one than to all, is God demonstrable as divine Life, Truth, and Love ... " (Miscellaneous Writings,p. 150). Understanding this enables not only to appreciate another's good but to be deeply grateful for it.

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