Word of the day: Mudita

From the answer to a query by meglimir, mudita is "a Buddhist (Pali and Sanskrit) word meaning rejoicing in others' good fortune. Mudita is sometimes considered to be the opposite of schadenfreude."

It would be the Buddhists who coined it, but I think it's something that any parent would feel for their children. Most people feel it for their friends, as well. You want your friends to be happy.

With someone you love, there may be a mixture of jealousy, especially if that happiness comes at the expense of their time and attention for you. I'm a loner, though. It's natural for me to feel happy when my lover is off somewhere having fun, by herself or with somebody else.

State of the Bear

The shoulder and back problems that were plaguing me earlier this week seem to have vanished; I wonder whether that has anything to do with the mood shift. Don't think it's the light; I was feeling pretty good when I got up before sunrise. (I'm sleepy right now; better go to bed early.) Being a little more productive at work due to my recent schedule change? Something settling out in my mind? Who knows?

The Ace adjustable ankle braces and the running shoes seem to be the best combination for long walks these days, as long as I don't make the braces too tight.

The mood shift still bothers me, but I guess I'm not likely to know for certain.