Do you REJOICE when others are HAPPY?
@lordwarwizard (35747)
Singapore
April 4, 2007 6:57am CST
"Go, go, go... GOAL!!" This is one familiar line whenever a soccer match is shown on TV. I was never too much into sports so I cannot understand why someone can be excited for another person who doesn't even know him. I am assuming of course that money is not involved, and the outcome of the game has no real bearings whatsoever beyond the emotions stirred up during the game. I cannot make myself excited when I see a player feeling ecstatic after scoring a goal. Simply, what has it got to do with me?
I switch to another channel and the American Idol is on. Fans are screaming wildly for the contestants they support, and again, I find myself puzzled. I don't even know that person. Why would it matter a whit to me if he gets into the finals or not?
Take another example - video games. Sometimes we have sleepovers and gaming would be one of our activities. My friends will watch over my shoulders and feel excited when I am the one who is really playing the game. When they are the ones playing, I look over their shoulders too and think, "They are the ones playing. What has it got to do with me? Why should I be excited?"
The participants in these activities are excited because they are in the game. It is also understandable that they feel happy when they win something. But you, on the other hand, are a total stranger. Even if they are your friends, their victory or defeat changes your life not the least bit. So why should you feel happy or excited?
Do you REJOICE when others are HAPPY? If yes, why? What has it got to do with you? If no, why not? Do you think you are just a selfish guy/gal who cares only for yourself? :P
Do share your thoughts. ;-)
19 people like this
59 responses
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
4 Apr 07
It's often very easy to get caught up in the excitement and emotion of people around you, and although I don't support football or sports, I have noticed that people get very involved and drawn into the excitement. I don't think I am partcularly selfish but I find it hard to join in the cheering for someone on a television programme or running around on a field kicking a ball. However, it is a different kind of feeling when you are actually at an event, rather than watching on the screen. Last year I went to a gig at a huge venue and loved every moment of it, the atmosphere was electric.
6 people like this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
4 Apr 07
Yes I am to a rule, I watch Deal or No Deal and some people I really really want to win and I rejoice when they win a big sum of money! They deserive it, however some contestants get so big headed and cocky and some even have an attitude, those people I don't want to win! I will support and cheer for the underdog but for those who aren't worthy of winning then no I won't rejoice for them, in fact the opposite.
5 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
4 Apr 07
But why why why?! It has nothing to do with you. Are you able to explain why you are so caught up as well?
@perugu (5279)
• India
4 Apr 07
hi,friend,that excitement is purely psychological that too when we involve deeply.It will be happened when we like some one and while they are doing something,we always expect best from them.It is applicable in real life,games,imagination....
Sometimes we may not have direct contacts with them we got some close relation feeling with them like somebody hails from our place or distant relation to us etc .And we will excite and enjoy the success.
3 people like this
@66jerseygirl (3877)
• United States
4 Apr 07
Yes,I do rejoice when others are happy and no I don't think I'm selfish. It doesn't have anything to do with me but I just am pleased when i see someone happy over something . there are so many bad things in this world and it does my heart good when someone can find something to smile or laugh about.Good topic!
@creematee (2810)
• United States
4 Apr 07
I do tend to rejoice with people around me. I didn't think that I did, until we were watching a game show the other night (deal or no deal.) The contestant ended up making a good choice, and DH and I felt relieved and happy for him. I think we would have kicked the TV if he didn't take the deal.
I get excited when children bring home good grades from school (whether they are mine or not!) and disappointed when they fail. My daughters kindergarten class is hatching eggs, and it was so much fun watching those little kids get so excited about having a new baby chick!!! It was just contagious!!
I think it's just because I am such an emotional person. I cry at coffee commercials, laugh at jokes, cheer when others are happy or winning. I think it's watching someone achieve a goal, a dream, or a challenge that is part of the attraction for people. It's an "If they can do it, so can I!"--kind of attitude.
That's just the type of person that I am. There is nothing wrong with it. There is nothing wrong with not being excited for others either. I do have a question for you, though... did you feel better knowing your friends were cheering you on while playing the video game? did it encourage you to continue and try your best?
thanks for the great discussion!!!
@mariyamaka (931)
• India
4 Apr 07
an being no saint.... seriously i do get happy to see others happy... unless am not loosing! i want to see others happy but not over myself! and where i am not involved seein g others happy brings happiness to your heart!! its not only while you watching a match or any indian idol show or any movie with happy endings but in real life too!!!!!
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
4 Apr 07
Yes, if someone is happy I am too. When they show someone everyday person who has won the lottery, I'm always very happy and don't wish it were me instead (maybe, too, but not instead). When I watch football and our team wins, I'm happy.. but also feel bad for the losing team..
2 people like this
@chaygylmommy (2470)
• United States
4 Apr 07
I do rejoice when someone makes good on something like a goal or winning American Idol. I feel SOOO happy for that person especially if I know a little back story on their lives. But, I have to admit that I may feel a sting of jealousy as well. I am a very emotional person, though. A Bugs Bunny cartoon can make me cry! LOL Maybe you are just not as emotional as some people. I wouldn't necessarily automatically think you are a selfish person. You could be, but I wouldn't automatically assume that.
2 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
4 Apr 07
I get very excited particularly for people I know, doesn't matter how small or large an event is if they are excited I am too. Sometimes I get excited for stranger but more for emotional type things for example a lost child being found or a family surviving a diaster.
I do however also cry when others cry - I am an emotional person. I don't think you are selfish for not feeling the excitment of others I think you are just not as an emotional person, this doesn't mean one is right or wrong. We are all different.
@all4ucnc (861)
• United States
4 Apr 07
I have always been able to absorb others emotions, if they are sad, I am sad. If they are happy I am happy . . .True it doesn't change my life if someone isn't doing well. Whether I know them or not. But being happy for someone when they do well, definetly lifts my spirits and me feel good as well.
My husband isn't a sports guy so you won't catch him cheering for any teams... But he is a car guy, and gets involved while watching the Barrett Jackson auctions. He feels happy when a mustang goes for a large sum of money, not because he'll be seeing any of that green stuff. But because he feels happy for the guy who sold it, and a little envy for the guy who bought it, I think he may even get caught up in the excitement and wish it were he who had just bought it.
It's not always just feeling happy for the person you don't know, sometimes it allows you to feel you are somewhere else, if even for just a moment...Which is very healthy as a stress releiver.
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
4 Apr 07
I confess that I tend to get caught up with the shows I'm watching. Like the recent boxing match where I did nothing but to keep praying that our Filipino boxer will win. Even while playing computer games, I can feel myself getting excited or even frustrated when the game is over. I'm just a very emotional bunny, I guess.
On a more personal level, I can't say that I can be truly happy for all my friends. Some friends like to brag about their achievement and the instinctive action is to give a shallow cheer to those braggarts. The only time that I can be realistically happy when I know that my friends are happy for just being with me. :0
2 people like this
@Liveyourlife (326)
• India
14 Apr 07
I rejoice when my friends are happy. Thats the real interest you show on your friends. The same applies when my friends are sad. We are their friends and we have to share their happiness and sadness.
2 people like this
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
4 Apr 07
I do rejoice when others are happy to an extent. I don't get all excited watching someone else play a video game or anything of that nature. Watching television, American Idol, Amazing Race, Deal or No Deal, I do get excited and happy for the people winning if I feel they deserve it. I have seen people on shows that I feel really need the money for their families, their children,etc. I get a happy feeling and actually will smile sometimes when I see someone crying with joy over their winnings. As far as football or soccer, etc. not so much either. These people are paid very well to do a job. Sure it's a sport, but they are paid better than alot of doctors. I do however support my own personal teams. I am a diehard fan of a specific football (American) team and do get excited when they win. Not because of anything they personally do, but because I grew up watching that team and they really have had a bad bunch of years, so when they do good, I feel happy, yes...ecstatic, not so much. While the victory of a stranger does not change my life at all, it does bring a little joy & hope into my life. If something good and wonderful can happen to that person, maybe it can happen for more people...even me. I'm not a screaming fanatic, but I do wish others well, and feel happy when something good happens to them. Why not ? I mean to only care for yourself, or what happens directly to you, would be a very lonely existence.
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
4 Apr 07
If they need the money and they win, well, I guess I might feel a little glad for them too.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
4 Apr 07
Yes I am and the only thing I can say is when they are happy I feel good inside and that make me happy. So actually they are doing me a favor.
2 people like this
@dragontester (570)
• Switzerland
4 Apr 07
Yes, I do feel happy when others are happy. It is more of a natural human behavior, where your surroundings can make you feel happy or sad. As a result, the success of your friend can make you sad with jealousy or happy with joy.
@touchofjupiter (157)
• United States
5 Apr 07
Well now, in all honesty ... that depends on WHO exactly is happy. If I like the person, I DO rejoice if they are happy. But, even though I could say otherwise to be "politically correct," the fact is that if the person makes my skin crawl and they are the ones that are happy ... chances are that I am NOT.
2 people like this
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
5 Apr 07
I think to rejoice for others is part of our human genetics. We may not be able to explain why we feel for someone when he is sad or happy. Maybe because it is part of our part of being human. Way back in history, they say that we used to be brothers and sisters. So we may have carry on something that's why we feel emotionally connected to others. Maybe some are more sensitive, therefore, they are more happy for others. Some are less sentitive and they feel less enthusiasm.
Well, for me I do sometimes feel happy for the persons I watch on tv. But more for admiring their abilities in their field, their talents or charms. But I haven't got to the point on climbing up on chairs, screaming until my vocal cords get snapped.
I supposed it is mainly because of my upbringing, my parents. They do not approve of such "unappropriate behavior" (for them ha), especially for girls, not lady like they said. For guys, especially my dad, his point is he doesn't know the person why should he get estactic for it. He loves watching any sports. I think he enjoys more of the win-lose game aspect, but not for a particular individual, team or sports.
So I may pressumed that we may be happy or not for others due to a melange of genes, atmosphere, personal upbringing and beliefs. Something like that. What do you think Professor LordWarWizard? *curtsy* (^^,)
1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
5 Apr 07
But why did you demote me to a Professor! I am first a Wizard, and second a Lord!! *humph!!*
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
5 Apr 07
It's alright. I just don't like teachers. They smell bad generally. ROFL!!!
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
5 Apr 07
Sorry!(^^,LOL^^,) But don't get me wrong I view professors in high esteem. And I completed your title just added the.. and a curtsy... and mmmmhh, I'm babbling now...I apologize my Lord! (96,)
1 person likes this
@DeaXyza (577)
• United States
4 Apr 07
I think energy begets energy when it is something like sports or a contest you root for your favourite, team person, friends , relative. In a game I watch their style of play, keep egging them to play harder, keep cheering them, stand at the stands and root for them, I am so much involved suddenly it seems it is I who is running or dancing in the contest or for that matter singing and when when the results comes I wait with baited breath, my heart pounding and if the contestant, friend wins I shout in joy, tears stream down my cheeks, it seems like I had run the race, sung the songs, danced away at the stage and won finally! The mood is quite infectious and if they loose nothing changes in my life but I do feel depressed and bad about the person/people I was rooting for had lost despite all the effort! But lets talk of winnings right now.... I know I am not going get anything out of it but it is just so infectious the happiness of it all keeps me up for days. It brings out such a lot of positive energy in me that I can not express in words! And if it is a friend who wins anything I am so proud of them it is such an achievement!
So to answer your question yes I am extremely happy when people win or are just happy, it (happiness)just grabs me by my collar and pulls me in so that I can too be happy! The intoxication of such happiness is sweet, heady and lasts forever. You post just put one very happy moment in my life back into my mind and I am smiling as I type the answer! Thanks for asking :)
