The Kindness of Celebrating Others

"The applause is a celebration not only of the actors but also of the audience.  It constitutes a shared moment of delight."
―John Charles Polanyi, a Hungarian-born chemist who won the 1986 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Yesterday, I received a call from our local Fresh Market store that one of my children had won a drawing contest.  The contest entailed drawing your favorite product from the store and the prize was a $50 gift certificate.  My daughter -- the winner -- had been very insistent on getting the application, working on her drawing and then making sure we submitted it by the deadline.  When the store manager called, I was thrilled for my daughter.  I called the mother of her best friend and arranged for her best friend to go with us to claim the prize.  (My daughter is blessed with a generous best friend whose heart seems to have no limits in the shared joy department.)

As I imagined, my daughter was incredibly happy.  We took photos at the store and then I shared them with a few members of our family and close friends.  My daughter enjoyed receiving congratulatory texts and e-mails.  A very special couple in Washington, two very dear friends who take great joy in our children, printed a copy of my daughter's artwork, took a photo of themselves with it and sent it to my daughter.  She excitedly showed it to me this morning.

There is kindness in celebrating other's successes, whether big or small.  Not only does it make the person who is enjoying her few minutes in the limelight feel extra special, but also it sets an important example for children of the kindness in celebrating each other.  And there is joy in sharing moments of delight.