Recently I wrote a small blog about the word schadenfraude, the German word which means to take pleasure from the misfortune of another. I was so arrogant as to declare it the greatest word in the English language, despite it being a German word. I still love the word schadenfraude, but I recognise that it is not an altogether pleasant human trait which it describes. Incidentally the Germans do not have an antonym of schadenfraude: I wonder why that is?
Somewhere in recent memory I read one of those short Q&A type pieces in a magazine or on-line where a celebrity/author/musician (whatever) answers a series of questions put to them by a journalist. Maybe half a page in length and appearing in the back pages, they seem to be the kind of thing organised by a publicist and completed via email rather in person. The subject has time to choose their thoughts and words and usually comes out looking erudite, rationale and just plain lovely. In other words nothing like a person in real life!
My silliness aside, there was one piece of knowledge I did pick up from this piece which stuck with me. The celebrity/author/musician (whatever) was asked their favourite word to which they replied; mudita, a Sanskrit word which means joy and happiness at the good fortune of another person. The precise opposite of schadenfraude. The world is a better place for the existence mudita and I hope that we all get to experience a little more of it in 2021.
So there we are dear reader (of one when I last checked the blog stats). A new word for you and me. Or perhaps you knew of the existence of mudita already. In which case I think you are a fine person indeed.
Until next time, peace and love.
