Open Forum

One of the joys of being a mentor is watching a mentee learn, grow, and succeed on their chosen path. A recent New York Times article finally gave us a word for this type of experience --- freudenfreude, which means to find delight in the success of others. The article explores how at its heart, the term is all about empathy and tapping into gratitude. 

For the etymologically inclined word nerds like myself, freudenfreude has the opposite definition of the more popular German word schadenfreude. Schadenfreude means to be happy when someone experiences misfortune or failure. Personally, I like freudenfreude a lot better!

I'd be interested to hear about your "freudenfreude" moments as a mentor, or even moments from your workplace! Why do you think freudenfreude should be on our minds now more than ever? @Amy Hopkins and @Alison Randall, do you have any awesome experiences to share?​​

------------------------------
Taylor Evans Ghosal
Evanston IL
------------------------------

Well this is my new favorite word of the day!

This is one of my favorite feelings in the world - I love cheering for the successes of friends, family, colleagues, etc. I think it's why I loved instructional coaching so much when I was in the education field - getting to celebrate the growth and success of those you work with as they reach the next level. I'm so glad to here there is a counterpart to shadenfreude (which is a very fun word to say, even if the meaning isn't that great). 

I think one of my favorite things is taking a moment to celebrate a success at that time, or to carve out time to be a little more reflective and say "wow, what an amazing journey - look where you are now!" (I try to do this myself frequently). It brings not only acknowledgement, but a warm fuzzy feeling!

Thanks for enlightening us on this Taylor!


------------------------------
Amy Hopkins
Chicago, IL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-06-2022 13:00
From: Taylor Evans Ghosal
Subject: Freudenfreude and You

One of the joys of being a mentor is watching a mentee learn, grow, and succeed on their chosen path. A recent New York Times article finally gave us a word for this type of experience --- freudenfreude, which means to find delight in the success of others. The article explores how at its heart, the term is all about empathy and tapping into gratitude. 

For the etymologically inclined word nerds like myself, freudenfreude has the opposite definition of the more popular German word schadenfreude. Schadenfreude means to be happy when someone experiences misfortune or failure. Personally, I like freudenfreude a lot better!

I'd be interested to hear about your "freudenfreude" moments as a mentor, or even moments from your workplace! Why do you think freudenfreude should be on our minds now more than ever? @Amy Hopkins and @Alison Randall, do you have any awesome experiences to share?​​

------------------------------
Taylor Evans Ghosal
Evanston IL
------------------------------

@Amy Hopkins - I really love your example of working in instructional coaching. It seems like there are those freudenfreude moments every day when working in education. I also like how you mention being reflective about the success of others. It's a chance to practice mindfulness.​

------------------------------
Taylor Evans Ghosal
Evanston IL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-06-2022 13:15
From: Amy Hopkins
Subject: Freudenfreude and You

Well this is my new favorite word of the day!

This is one of my favorite feelings in the world - I love cheering for the successes of friends, family, colleagues, etc. I think it's why I loved instructional coaching so much when I was in the education field - getting to celebrate the growth and success of those you work with as they reach the next level. I'm so glad to here there is a counterpart to shadenfreude (which is a very fun word to say, even if the meaning isn't that great). 

I think one of my favorite things is taking a moment to celebrate a success at that time, or to carve out time to be a little more reflective and say "wow, what an amazing journey - look where you are now!" (I try to do this myself frequently). It brings not only acknowledgement, but a warm fuzzy feeling!

Thanks for enlightening us on this Taylor!


------------------------------
Amy Hopkins
Chicago, IL

Original Message:
Sent: 12-06-2022 13:00
From: Taylor Evans Ghosal
Subject: Freudenfreude and You

One of the joys of being a mentor is watching a mentee learn, grow, and succeed on their chosen path. A recent New York Times article finally gave us a word for this type of experience --- freudenfreude, which means to find delight in the success of others. The article explores how at its heart, the term is all about empathy and tapping into gratitude. 

For the etymologically inclined word nerds like myself, freudenfreude has the opposite definition of the more popular German word schadenfreude. Schadenfreude means to be happy when someone experiences misfortune or failure. Personally, I like freudenfreude a lot better!

I'd be interested to hear about your "freudenfreude" moments as a mentor, or even moments from your workplace! Why do you think freudenfreude should be on our minds now more than ever? @Amy Hopkins and @Alison Randall, do you have any awesome experiences to share?​​

------------------------------
Taylor Evans Ghosal
Evanston IL
------------------------------

@Taylor Evans Ghosal - it's been a while since I've been able to connect on Connect. It's nice to e-meet you!

I did not know that ​freudenfreude was even a word. Thanks for enriching and expanding my vocabulary. My mentoring days at the moment are focused on my two small children and there are daily examples of how my heart grows five sizes when watching young children complete a new task or reach a new milestone. Recently we've had some potty training successes and well as new teeth, clapping, and waving. Who would have thought that teaching someone to wave could be rewarding. I'm here to confirm that even the smallest things can bring great joy, freudenfreude.

Professionally, my favorite thing when mentoring others is to see the confidence and pride they have in their new skills. It's a wonderful feeling to know that your guidance has been absorbed and is being applied through someone who is putting their own spin on it. 

------------------------------
Alison Randall
Chicago IL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-08-2022 12:10
From: Taylor Evans Ghosal
Subject: Freudenfreude and You

@Amy Hopkins - I really love your example of working in instructional coaching. It seems like there are those freudenfreude moments every day when working in education. I also like how you mention being reflective about the success of others. It's a chance to practice mindfulness.​

------------------------------
Taylor Evans Ghosal
Evanston IL

Original Message:
Sent: 12-06-2022 13:15
From: Amy Hopkins
Subject: Freudenfreude and You

Well this is my new favorite word of the day!

This is one of my favorite feelings in the world - I love cheering for the successes of friends, family, colleagues, etc. I think it's why I loved instructional coaching so much when I was in the education field - getting to celebrate the growth and success of those you work with as they reach the next level. I'm so glad to here there is a counterpart to shadenfreude (which is a very fun word to say, even if the meaning isn't that great). 

I think one of my favorite things is taking a moment to celebrate a success at that time, or to carve out time to be a little more reflective and say "wow, what an amazing journey - look where you are now!" (I try to do this myself frequently). It brings not only acknowledgement, but a warm fuzzy feeling!

Thanks for enlightening us on this Taylor!


------------------------------
Amy Hopkins
Chicago, IL

Original Message:
Sent: 12-06-2022 13:00
From: Taylor Evans Ghosal
Subject: Freudenfreude and You

One of the joys of being a mentor is watching a mentee learn, grow, and succeed on their chosen path. A recent New York Times article finally gave us a word for this type of experience --- freudenfreude, which means to find delight in the success of others. The article explores how at its heart, the term is all about empathy and tapping into gratitude. 

For the etymologically inclined word nerds like myself, freudenfreude has the opposite definition of the more popular German word schadenfreude. Schadenfreude means to be happy when someone experiences misfortune or failure. Personally, I like freudenfreude a lot better!

I'd be interested to hear about your "freudenfreude" moments as a mentor, or even moments from your workplace! Why do you think freudenfreude should be on our minds now more than ever? @Amy Hopkins and @Alison Randall, do you have any awesome experiences to share?​​

------------------------------
Taylor Evans Ghosal
Evanston IL
------------------------------

What a thoughtful answer, @Alison Randall! I love both your personal and professional examples. 

It's also nice to e-meet you!​

------------------------------
Taylor Evans Ghosal
Evanston IL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-21-2022 14:59
From: Alison Randall
Subject: Freudenfreude and You

@Taylor Evans Ghosal - it's been a while since I've been able to connect on Connect. It's nice to e-meet you!

I did not know that ​freudenfreude was even a word. Thanks for enriching and expanding my vocabulary. My mentoring days at the moment are focused on my two small children and there are daily examples of how my heart grows five sizes when watching young children complete a new task or reach a new milestone. Recently we've had some potty training successes and well as new teeth, clapping, and waving. Who would have thought that teaching someone to wave could be rewarding. I'm here to confirm that even the smallest things can bring great joy, freudenfreude.

Professionally, my favorite thing when mentoring others is to see the confidence and pride they have in their new skills. It's a wonderful feeling to know that your guidance has been absorbed and is being applied through someone who is putting their own spin on it. 

------------------------------
Alison Randall
Chicago IL

Original Message:
Sent: 12-08-2022 12:10
From: Taylor Evans Ghosal
Subject: Freudenfreude and You

@Amy Hopkins - I really love your example of working in instructional coaching. It seems like there are those freudenfreude moments every day when working in education. I also like how you mention being reflective about the success of others. It's a chance to practice mindfulness.​

------------------------------
Taylor Evans Ghosal
Evanston IL

Original Message:
Sent: 12-06-2022 13:15
From: Amy Hopkins
Subject: Freudenfreude and You

Well this is my new favorite word of the day!

This is one of my favorite feelings in the world - I love cheering for the successes of friends, family, colleagues, etc. I think it's why I loved instructional coaching so much when I was in the education field - getting to celebrate the growth and success of those you work with as they reach the next level. I'm so glad to here there is a counterpart to shadenfreude (which is a very fun word to say, even if the meaning isn't that great). 

I think one of my favorite things is taking a moment to celebrate a success at that time, or to carve out time to be a little more reflective and say "wow, what an amazing journey - look where you are now!" (I try to do this myself frequently). It brings not only acknowledgement, but a warm fuzzy feeling!

Thanks for enlightening us on this Taylor!


------------------------------
Amy Hopkins
Chicago, IL

Original Message:
Sent: 12-06-2022 13:00
From: Taylor Evans Ghosal
Subject: Freudenfreude and You

One of the joys of being a mentor is watching a mentee learn, grow, and succeed on their chosen path. A recent New York Times article finally gave us a word for this type of experience --- freudenfreude, which means to find delight in the success of others. The article explores how at its heart, the term is all about empathy and tapping into gratitude. 

For the etymologically inclined word nerds like myself, freudenfreude has the opposite definition of the more popular German word schadenfreude. Schadenfreude means to be happy when someone experiences misfortune or failure. Personally, I like freudenfreude a lot better!

I'd be interested to hear about your "freudenfreude" moments as a mentor, or even moments from your workplace! Why do you think freudenfreude should be on our minds now more than ever? @Amy Hopkins and @Alison Randall, do you have any awesome experiences to share?​​

------------------------------
Taylor Evans Ghosal
Evanston IL
------------------------------