The Joy of People Doing Well
If you haven't heard, Anthony (most of you know the “Amazing Anthony”), Emily, his wife, and Matilda, their daughter, welcomed Greta to their family. Everyone is doing well, and Emily and Anthony are now the proud parents of two beautiful little girls (I can relate as the father of two daughters).
When I was younger, these events were just things. Sometime between then and now, I began to understand just how special these events are. Shame on me for not enjoying the moment but instead looking to the future. I now realize how many special events I missed because I wasn't paying attention to what was happening before me.
Early in my career, I helped you begin setting aside money. As time went on, I saw the outcomes people like yourselves enjoyed because of the money you set aside. It brought me joy as an outsider looking in, and my job became my calling.
One of the lessons I learned was that there is no shortage of people who want to see us fail. You can say it is because of jealousy or maybe envy, but for some reason, many people are wired not to want others to succeed. This is disturbing and disappointing. Why someone chooses to spend their time and energy hoping or sometimes helping an individual's failure is wrong on so many levels.
This is what I will refer to as a closet type of mindset. We all know people who are the first to pat you on the back but, internally, are bitter that you have succeeded. What a waste of time and energy. From our early years, weren’t we told that if you can’t say something nice about someone, you shouldn't say anything at all?
Negative mindsets not only hurt the person who has them, but for some reason, misery loves the company, and these people try to recruit as many followers as possible. Please don’t allow yourself to be recruited, and if you find you too often have a negative mindset, decide to change. Our own Mayo Clinic followed a selected group for over 30 years. The study found that those individuals in the group who were determined to be “optimistic” on a standard personality test had a death rate that was 80% of those whom the test determined to be “pessimistic.” I have found (not a scientific study) that those positive people not only live longer but enjoy the life they have a whole lot more.
Celebrating the success of others, Anthony’s growing family, Margie moving into a condominium she loves, and Erin moving into her apartment. These are things that bring me joy. Hearing the excitement about the last trip you took, learning that you will be attending your granddaughter's destination wedding, or learning you have finally decided to take up that painting class you've been talking about for years—these are the moments that make life rich. These aren’t just updates or milestones; they’re reminders that life is about moving forward, achieving dreams, and finding joy in everyday victories.
When I hear about your successes—big or small—it inspires me. It reminds me that we are all capable of growth, change, and happiness, even when life gets challenging. And it’s not just the big milestones like weddings or new babies that matter. It’s also the quieter wins: deciding to spend more time with your family, finding a new hobby that brings you peace, or even finally cleaning out that garage you’ve been putting off for years (you know who you are!).
The point is that celebrating others’ successes doesn’t take away from our own—it adds to it. When we lift others, when we choose joy for them rather than bitterness or envy, we become part of their story in a positive way. That energy comes back to us in ways we can’t always measure, but we can certainly feel.
I’ve found that this mindset of celebration creates a ripple effect. Positivity and support are contagious. When you show up for others, whether it’s sending a quick congratulatory text, attending their big day, or simply cheering them on from afar, you’re contributing to their success. And that’s something to be proud of.
It’s not always easy, though, is it? Life can be hard. It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison, to wonder why things seem to be working out for someone else while we’re still waiting for our own breakthrough. But I’ve learned over the years that focusing on what we don’t have only blinds us to the blessings we already do. Shifting the focus to gratitude and celebration is one of the most powerful ways to break free from those negative thoughts.
So, as we move forward, let’s commit to being people who celebrate others wholeheartedly. Let’s show up for the Anthonys, Erins, and Margies of the world—not because we have to, but because it’s a privilege to be part of their story. Their joy can be our joy, too.
And remember, no matter where you are in life, your time is coming. It might look different from someone else’s journey, and that’s okay. Success isn’t a limited resource—it’s abundant, and there’s plenty to go around. So, keep working toward your dreams, but don’t forget to pause and celebrate the wins of those around you.
Life is brighter when we lift each other up. Let’s be the kind of people who make others feel seen, valued, and celebrated. That’s how we create a community of joy and success—one story, one moment, and one celebration at a time.
Now, go out there and be someone’s cheerleader today. It just might make your own day a little brighter, too.
Always here to be your cheerleader,
Jeff
