A few weeks ago, I received a text from a friend excitedly sharing some good news and reflecting on how the new year had gotten off to an incredible start. Almost immediately, a ding sounded announcing a second text. There was a quiet guilt in this message, a sense that maybe it was not okay to celebrate success when there are others around you who are suffering.
When I was on a silent retreat as a part of my journey towards becoming a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction teacher, I was introduced to the concept of “sympathetic joy.” This is the experience of a felt sense of someone else’s joy. For example, imagine walking in a park and noticing a child laughing with pleasure while being pushed on a swing. Immediately, you may smile and feel warmth spread in the area of your heart. The joy of a stranger sparks joy within you.
Like many practices, sympathetic joy is based both on ancient wisdom and science. Mudita is the Buddhist practice of feeling genuine delight in the happiness and success of others. As a practice, it is meant to cultivate an attitude of open-heartedness and a sense of interconnection. Researchers have confirmed a link between the experience of sympathetic joy and greater life satisfaction, willingness, and likelihood of helping others, and better personal relationships.
In response to my friend’s second text, I responded “the more that lights up for each of us, the greater the potential for all of us.” When others are suffering, our inclination may be to tone it down or minimize the joy in our own life. What we might not realize is that our joy could also serve as a spark for someone else. A reminder that hope and happiness are possible.
In a time when there may be greater exposure to the suffering of others, an intentional practice of sympathetic joy can serve as a counterbalance. Be on the lookout and may you be witness to the moments of joy around you.
In gratitude,
Elizabeth
Expanded practice sessions – now with more dates & times!
Stress relief that’s quick, simple, free, and available to all! Join our BBM practice sessions to learn gentle, science based exercises that help reduce stress and build resilience.
This program helps build a team of trainers across NY who can teach “Tending the Roots Training” courses.
Dates: May 20th, 21st, & 28th
Time: 9am-5pm (all days)
Location: NYC (20th & 21st) & Virtual (28th)
Join our 2026 Quarterly Networking Series, Morning Connections: Skills and Networking.
Session 2: Trauma-Informed Feedback Practices
Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Time: 9am – 10am
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Register your organization!
Share the survey with your leadership & staff.
Receive an action-oriented report.
Schedule a free one-hour call w/ TINRC staff for personalized support.
Make meaningful, trauma-responsive changes.
I remember being asked by a teacher to come out into the hallway to talk to her privately. My head had been on the desk for her entire lesson and only a gentle nudge on my arm made me look up. I was 12 years old and sinking into a deep depression from rejection by my family for being queer.
Inspired by my lived experiences this poem is a depiction of persistence, what it feels like to continue to try ice skating uphill, It is a reflection on how we survive, how we continue to try to get to something new through reframing, by surrendering, by offering grace often to ourselves.
We finally arrive at Stop 4 on My Inner Landscape Map: the call to reclaim your power.
One of the most meaningful ways I’ve reclaimed my power from trauma and loss has been through self-expression, more specifically fashion and hair color.
Trauma. A word that has become common in everyday conversation.
Yet, when every difficult experience is labeled as trauma, we lose something important: the ability to understand what is actually happening inside us and what kinds of support we truly need.
The NYS TINRC Newsletter is produced by CCSI. The views, opinions, and content expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of the New York State Office of Mental Health (NYS OMH).
