I blame the rambling brain … it's been prevaricating the mind – hence a few hazy areas at the beginning of the year … what to do …
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| Flowering Quince - something from my childhood ... we had a hedge of these |
... so … I've been AWOL … switched off – but the brain still rambles along – my head turns, or something inside does … it's feeling a little wooden!
I've come across so many interesting subjects – I wander off and, of course, never settle to get on with life … I've been very slightly under the weather, which doesn't help – but honestly …
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| Flowering Cherry |
… another year on, into the latter part of my life, it's for living and getting on – so that's where I am, ready to start 2022 properly …
Last year I used 'Respair' (fresh hope), while this year I've gone with 'Confelicity' … enjoyment in others' happiness – which makes me smile …
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| Cheery happy tree |
… particularly on reading another blogger's post about her absolute delight in getting married again, after her husband died … she is sprinkling fairy dust wherever it reaches … her words just epitomise 'confelecity' for me …
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| Sequin fairy dust |
Delay over … the world is out there … I'm on the move again – well blogging move in and around Eastbourne … I'll wait a while before I head up to London town …
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| Blue skies of Spring |
Here's to Spring with its lighter days …
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
31 comments:
Before finding the word confelicity, how did we talk about enjoyment in others' happiness? It is not a new concept, surely. In fact it was something of a goal in childrearing.
I had to look up the meaning of confelicity and it said, "Delight in someone else's happiness; the opposite of Schadenfreude." What a lovely word and lovely concept!
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s dreamily divergent Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Hari Om
The sharing of happiness is a sure-fire way to bring it back full circle! I hear you about the 'wooden' head. I think I might have just been in a deep sleep for the past year and some... there is, at last, a wink, a blink, a chink of light suggesting wakefulness... YAM xx
Confelicity is a word I've not heard before, but I like it. ☺ It's good to revel in the happiness of others, which in turn should lift our spirits as well. I hope you're feeling better, Hilary. That "wooden-head" feeling has affected many of us, I suspect. Sunnier days ahead - we hope!
Like you I was thrilled to read about that blogging friend's happiness. And will be thinking of her on the 2nd.
Confelicity is a wonderful word to take to the year.
I hope you are now much, much better.
@ Hels - I think we're being encouraged to widen our vocabulary ... maybe not for most of the bloggers here - but for many. I've found out it was in use in 1840s ... and as Bazza says it's the opposite of Schadenfreude ...
@ Bazza - thanks ... so pleased you put this definition here ... having heard about a friend finding love and happiness again after the death of her husband ... it cheers me and I feel confelicity is just such an appropriate word in this case ...
@ Yam - the sharing of happiness is lovely isn't it; Wooden Head - has recently been appropriate for me ... and I do look forward to our longer days ...
@ Debbie - yes ... it seems to have 'hit the airwaves' over here - hence my finding of it ... and the enjoyment I find in others' joy. Yes - I think we're all feeling a bit "wooden thick" ... but yes let's look forward to sunnier days ...
@ EC - yes ... wasn't it great news about her new found happiness ... it really made me smile. Me too - I'll be thinking about her on the 2nd ... Confelicity is just such a wonderful word ...
Yes - I'm much better ... really, I regret to say, it was malingering ... and fed up with grey skies.
Cheers and thanks for coming over to comment - Hilary
I know who you are referring to! Very happy she is getting married again.
Sorry to hear you were feeling puny. Glad you are on the mend and on the move.
All best wishes.
Cheers,
I like both of those words, respair and confelecity. Both are new to me but roll of the tongue as though they belong. Thank you, Hilary!
Confelicity is a lovely word. If we all found enjoyment in others' happiness, the world would be a very different place.
I am sure you realize, Hilary, that from now on we will all be peppering our blog posts with "confelicity". Not only is it a lovely concept, but it's a word that rolls off the tongue nicely. I think I have for the most part been a practitioner of confelicity without ever knowing there was a term for it, but I promise to redouble my efforts to express pleasure in the joy of others. In the process, I have no doubt that my own quotient of satisfaction will increase in direct proportion. Hugs from Ontario. David
What a nice word, and a concept I would expect from an author who promotes positivity in the title of her blog :-)
Definitely looking forward to Spring, and hopefully a better year for everyone.
What a wonderful word! I don't know that I have ever heard it before- but I love it. I hope you see lots of people being happy . :)
I am looking forward to spring- while we are expecting up to a foot of snow this weekend. It's pretty to look at- but I love the warmer temps.
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2022!
~Jess
There's just something about January which mumbles a "meh" for us.
@ Alex – yes it was a wonderful read giving us a confelicitious feel and like you it's brilliant she's getting married again …
@ Sandra – nothing major just 'off' – but on the mend now, still can't wait for the longer days!
@ Jacqui – thanks … I really want to increase my vocabulary … and improve my abilities as to using a wider range of words … these two words are so positive and forward looking ideas – that's another reason for liking them …
@ Chrys – excellent to see you here … and just wouldn't the world be a better place if we thought this way …
@ David – it'd be great if it happened … our language needs to be remembered and improved. Yes … you're right – it's better to be encouraging when interacting with others – I'm sure you are, as I know I am – and yes I then don't worry about so much about myself … it's a good position to be in …
@ Kathy – great to see you – thank you re your comment … I would like to be an author … I just enjoy my blogging journey …
@ Ian – yes I remember the long winter in Canada … but now as you say a better year ahead for us all …
@ Jess – I certainly try and see the better side of life when I talk to people … encourage them in the positivity aspects of life …
Oh gosh lots of snow this weekend – we might if we're really lucky get to see a little sun – we've had a blanket of grey … and as you do – the warmer sunnier days will be welcome. Thanks for your wishes …
@ Liz – yes January does seem to be a challenge doesn't it … still nearly finished now …
Thanks so much for commenting – great to see each of you and your thoughts – cheers Hilary
Confelicity - a great word which I didn’t know before! Sorry to hear you have been under the weather, hope all is now well.
Hope you are feeling better. January can be a bit bleak no matter what. But, indeed it does wonders if you share in others enjoyment too. I don't understand folks who tear down instead of build up. Let's all find reason to smile.
I love those words! They're perfect for welcoming spring when it pops up. It's a refreshing season, isn't it? The daffodils are such a creamy yellow sight and the air is perfect--not too cold and not too hot. Just right! I think someone wrote a story with that phrasing if I remember correctly, but like you, I'm in a bit of fog these days. I may not have that straight. As one of my friends often says, Cheers!
Dear Hilary, thank you so much for this post, not only did I learn two new words in English (my second language and the one I love the most) but your post made me smile from ear to ear. Love it!
@ Anabel - all well ... just a little off colour - but feeling way better now - thank you ... and I think 'Confelicity' is such a good word ...
@ Joanne - all well ... just a catchy blip which is over now. You're so right about if only people could look on the bright side of things and be positive, without needing to try to bring others' down. And again agree - let's find a reason to smile ...
@ Lee - thanks ... you're right - Respair brings on Spring and it's great to be able to share others' happiness with life.
Thanks Lee - I feel way more 'normal' now and can see clearly ... well as clearly as I'm able to!! The spring bulbs always bring joy to our hearts and the weather warms a little ...
@ Inger - I envy you being able to speak two languages - it never seemed necessary to me growing up to push myself in that direction - now I regret it! Excellent you enjoy our language - thank you ... while these two words from the past really do bring ideas we need all the time into today's world ... so really appreciate your comment.
Cheers to you all - thanks for coming by and enjoying these two positive words ... bringing hope and joy to many. All the best - Hilary
Hi Hilary!
I love that word and meaning. I always enjoy seeing happy people enjoying life. With SO MUCH unrest in this world and it refreshing to see a smile on a person's face, an adult playing with a child or pup in the park, or watching a jogger run by that truly looks exhilarated. I see so little of that these days. People are cross, their faces are twisted in a scowl, or they won't even acknowledge your "good morning" as you pass them by. Hopefully the spring will bring more joy to the world... thanks for sharing this happy post and enjoy your travels!
'Respair' and 'Confelecity' are such magnificient words, Hilary. This post is filled with so many gems. I learn a great deal from following your blog.
You've clearly got your spring back Hilary, that's good and so I feel confelicity to you. I haven't checked if others' have said so but felicity means happiness, so feeling happiness with - con - .
The weekend is upon us! The end of January is almost here - o me o my, time doth fly ... all best, Susan
@ Michael - so true isn't it ... others' happiness inspires us as we join in or look on ... I love these two words ... and today 'Respair' is an appropriate word ... it is slightly warmer, but particularly there are brighter skies and some sun!
@ Donna - thanks for enjoying the words ... I feel we should all encourage our use of more words ... enhancing our language. Just happy to have you here ...
@ Susan - excellent ... yes my spring is coming back - today is a bright day ... makes such a difference. Love your use of 'confelicity' for me ... I am happier now Spring is well on its way ... and February is appearing next week ... time does fly.
Here's to lots of Confelicity appearing for you all ... while Respair does seem to be springing along ... cheers Hilary
From reading others' comments it seems you've taught many of us a new word, one I'm sure I'll be using some time soon!
I'm pleased things are looking up for you, thanks for ending on such a positive note!
Being happy that others are happy is amazing
Just keep safe <3
"enjoyment in others' happiness" That sounds so wonderful, Hilary.
Gorgeous photos! And confelicity, what a lovely word!
@ Keith - I must say it's not that easy a word to bring into conversation ... but I can hold on to thinking I might - good luck and let me know if you succeed - perhaps in one of your own posts ... the concept is brilliant ...
@ Jo-Anne - thank you ...
@ Jemima - all well here, I'm glad to say ...
@ Dan - it is a wonderful way to reflect on life isn't it ... being happy in others' happiness - that we all need to remember ...
@ Deniz - I've always loved Japonica ... we had a hedge at home, before the house was altered ... but beautiful Spring colours. Confelicity is a fantastic word isn't it ...
Cheers to you all - thanks so much for enjoying 'my word' "Confelicity" ... all the best - Hilary
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