Happy for You

In a world where escaping comparison gets more and more difficult, is it possible to change our thinking? Instead of looking at our friends or neighbors and being envious of their house, their car, their accomplishments, can we tell them we’re happy for them instead?

Using real life conversations and situations from her former career, her friends, and her kids, Kay Wills Wyma believes we can shift out thinking. We can say, “I’m happy for you” to someone who has been given more than we have. She contends that while we see just a glimpse of the big picture and think someone has it all together, they may be struggling with their own heartache and hurts. She shares about running into a friend in the grocery store and how difficult that conversation was to hear but when she talks to that friend again, she learns there was more going on than that thing. With humor (be sure not to miss the dedication page, if it doesn’t make it you laugh, it will at least bring a smile) and insight, much of which come from teaching moments this her kids, Wyma challenges readers to take the focus off of themselves and put it on others instead.

One of my favorite example in this book is when she’s talking to her daughter about her volleyball practice and was put in the position of setter instead of spiker. She realizes that the other girls on the court probably like to be cheered for and comes to the conclusion that her job as the setter will help make the other girls on the team feel good. What a great insight from a young lady about taking the focus off of herself and putting it on others.

If you’re struggling with how much more exciting life is for your friends (in both real life and social media), perhaps it’s time to take your eyes off yourself and lift up others. With enough practice, it just might become a way of life.

***Blogging for Books and Waterbrook provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.