31/365 – ” Do you feel Compersion for your friends? ”

I recently discovered the word: “Compersion.”

Since it still hasn’t officially made it into Myriam-Webster, and its definition varies slightly from place to place – I picked the description I like best. “Compersion is our wholehearted participation in the happiness of others. It is the sympathetic joy we feel for somebody else, even when their positive experience does not involve or benefit us directly. ”

In other words, Compersion for someone is like having joyous and unconditional love for their wellbeing and happiness. It is the opposite of jealousy and possessiveness.

While the word is often used to describe joy for a partner dating another within a polyamorous relationship – I think it’s also a feeling we can aspire to nurture in all platonic friendships and relationships.

Surrounding ourselves with people whose success we celebrate unconditionally feels like a healthy filter for values alignment.

#365Questions