A friend of mine recently shared some negative feedback she got concerning her growing cookie business.

While delivering homemade cookies to customers who had placed orders, she encountered a co-worker.

“Are you still selling those nasty cookies?” the co-worker asked.

My friend was taken aback and reached out to me to vent and gain my perspective.

It saddened me that we were having this conversation. I wasn’t sad about her reaching out to me; I was saddened by the fact that I have had this conversation so many times before.

Why is celebrating the accomplishments of others so difficult for some?

Not in every situation, but far too often we fail to sincerely appreciate -- and rejoice in -- the accomplishments of our brothers and sisters.

As long as we are neck-and-neck, and no one is moving ahead, all is well. But soon as one begins to pull out front, things start to shake up a bit. We say we are happy for that person, but our speech and actions reflect something different.

Ever head comments like: “I wonder what they are doing to get that?” or “They always thought they were better than everyone else.”

In the cookie example, my friend used her gifts to launch an entrepreneurial venture while working a fulltime job. In just two years, the business has enjoyed a 50 percent uptick and is moving quickly to include a mail order component.

The comment made was an overt example of a negative reaction to someone else’s good fortune. Many of us are more subliminal in our approach.

Together, we can break this cycle.

If you are guilty, consider a course correction. If not, keep up the good work. If we all begin to celebrate the blessings of others and share our resources fairly one with the other, what a community we can sustain.
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Tanya is an inspirational speaker in Charlotte, NC. Friend her on Facebook or email her at tw360you@aol.com.

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