Joy Multiplied: The Beauty of Celebrating Others

 Gratitude for Being Happy for Others

Happiness is infectious, isn't it? But there’s a special kind of joy that hits differently the kind you feel when someone you care about achieves something amazing. It's like your heart puts on dancing shoes, throws a mini-party, and drags you along for the ride.

Today, let’s celebrate this joy the pure, unselfish, child-like happiness of being genuinely happy for others.

Today, I had one of those moments that made me pause and think, “Wow, I really love how this feels.” A friend of mine whom I met thanks to her amazing husband dropped by the office with a stunning creation. Let me tell you, this woman is not just good at designing dresses; she's a Picasso of fabric, a Michelangelo of stitches! Her creativity leaves me in awe every single time. When she walked in with her work, my joy skyrocketed so much you'd think I was the one who stitched the masterpiece. It wasn’t envy or competitiveness it was pure, untainted happiness for her success. And oh, how refreshing that felt!

If you’ve ever felt this, you know it’s like tasting the best puff-puff fresh out of the fryer. (Yes, I had puff-puff on my mind; don’t judge me!) It’s sweet, warm, and deeply satisfying. That’s the beauty of a child-like spirit pure, sincere, and completely unbothered by anything that could sour the moment.

Now, speaking of amazing souls, let me tell you about this extraordinary person I know: Jamila Abdulsalam, aka ThatVeilChick. If carrying another person’s matter on your head was a sport, Jamila would have Olympic gold by now full chest! She’s the kind of friend who supports and encourages anyone, as long as it’s a good thing. Her sincerity shines through like sunlight on a freshly cleaned window no fake, no filters, just 100% authenticity.

If you spend five minutes with Jamila, you’ll feel seen, heard, and appreciated like royalty. We aren’t even age mates, but if you saw us together, you’d think we were childhood friends who shared pencils and puff-puff in primary school. That’s how humble and relatable she is. Her humility is not the “let me pretend so you’ll like me” kind. It’s genuine, unforced, and heart-warming. And the humour? Ah, forget it. Jamila will have you laughing so hard your ribs will send you an invoice for “excessive use of happiness.”

Her spirituality is another thing that leaves me in awe. It’s not loud or performative, but you can feel it in how she carries herself and treats others. Jamila prays for her friends, goes all out for them, and markets their businesses as if she’s running a global PR campaign. You’d think she was getting a commission (spoiler: she’s not). She does it all with a heart as big as a continent.

Let’s not forget her culinary skills. Hahaha! I’m not even exaggerating Jamila’s cooking is a whole experience. The kind that makes you sit back and thank God for taste buds. And because she’s so kind, I get to enjoy some of these culinary delights for free. Imagine the blessings of eating good, healthy food without lifting a finger. Oh, and she buys me chocolate sometimes, which is just the cherry on top.

Here’s a little prayer for Jamila and every good-hearted person out there: May the Almighty keep blessing your kind souls. Anyone who tries to take advantage of your goodness they shall not succeed, o! Amen.

To all the kind souls reading this, here’s my message to you: I see you, I love you, and I deeply appreciate you. Keep being yourself. The world may try to make you feel like your kindness is a weakness, but trust me, it’s your greatest strength.

Now back to the joy of being happy for others. Isn’t it beautiful how this kind of happiness doesn’t take anything away from you? If anything, it fills you up. It’s like sharing a cake but somehow ending up with a bigger slice than you started with.

This is the kind of happiness we should strive for daily. It’s easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves to others. Social media doesn’t help it’s a constant reel of everyone’s highlights while we’re dealing with behind-the-scenes bloopers. But when you learn to genuinely celebrate others, it’s like flipping the script. Instead of feeling inadequate, you feel inspired. Instead of jealousy, you feel joy.

So how do we cultivate this?

Practice Gratitude: When you’re grateful for what you have, it’s easier to be happy for others. Gratitude reminds you that everyone’s blessings are unique, and there’s enough joy in the world for all of us.

Focus on Connection, Not Competition: Life isn’t a race. Celebrate others, and you’ll find that your relationships deepen in ways that bring you more fulfilment.

Cheer Loudly, Even When You’re Quietly Struggling: It’s okay to feel a twinge of envy now and then; we’re human. But don’t let it stop you from celebrating someone else’s wins. You’ll be surprised how cheering for others can lift your spirits, too.

Let me wrap this up with one of my favourite thoughts: When you’re happy for someone else, it’s like planting seeds of joy in your own heart. Those seeds grow into beautiful flowers that brighten your life and everyone around you.

Here’s to being genuinely happy for others no strings, no conditions, just pure, unfiltered joy. Let’s spread this vibe like butter on hot toast.

And to my designer friend who creates jaw-dropping masterpieces and to J. A (ThatVeilChick), who makes the world a better place by simply being herself I’m so glad our paths crossed. You’ve reminded me of the beauty of a heart that beats for others, and for that, I’m forever grateful.