Lifting Someone Up

Written by:

Rebecca McGranahan

Last week, I was very excited about an accomplishment I’d achieved that took a lot of hard work. I couldn’t wait to tell one of my girlfriends my fantastic news. I wanted to share the genuine excitement that I was feeling so that she could share my joy. After delivering the news in an elated tone and a huge smile, I was met with hooded eyes and a cold stare. At that moment, I realized that my friend was “not” happy to hear my news or the details of my achievement. She instead told me that I was “boasting” and walked away. Left feeling ashamed and embarrassed, I apologized and left.

One teaching of Buddhism is that of unconditional love and acceptance of “everyone.” In a week I won’t remember the words my friend used to express her contempt but I will forever remember how horrible I felt after she had spoken.

What if, instead of always competing or feeling envious of a friend's good fortune, we lifted that person up and allowed their joy to not only be motivational but inspirational in the way we live “our” lives and achieve “our” dreams?

The saying “people will not remember what you said but will always remember how you made them feel” has some validity.

I think the idea of wholism includes lifting one another up and sending out positive vibrations of unconditional acceptance. If we deny someone joy and instead feel envy towards them, we are robbing ourselves of sharing an authentic and vulnerable moment in the life of a fellow human being.

I challenge you to lift someone up today. The abundance that follows when we encourage someone's aspirations, ambitions and dreams, may astound you.

Written By:

Rebecca McGranahan

Assistant Blog Writer

Certified Holistic Lifestyle Advocate