Do not speak of your happiness to one less fortunate than yourself.
Plutarch
Took me a moment to fathom this. For me, this is similar to, though not the same as, avoiding gloating.
More subtle is the need to be sensitive when speaking with people. Be aware of their circumstances. Do not go on about your fine happy position. How life has been treating you well. When the person you are talking with may well be facing significant challenges or has experienced a loss.
The Covid-19 challenge is a very real example for me where sensitivity is called for. I have been lucky. Working from home has enabled me to have a far better work/family life balance than usual. It has meant that I can exercise and get outdoors more often. Spending time with my children. Even being involved with teaching them. Daily family walks through the local countryside. Saving money on fuel for the commute to work.
Yet, on the odd occasion I go into the office I recognise the need to be modest. Just this last week while talking with a colleague they confided that being furloughed had been a very challenging time for them. Their experience was very different to mine.
It was not a moment to regale them of my adventures and what a ‘wonderful time I was having.
This is not to say I didn’t highlight the odd good aspect. To show some positives do exist that we can work towards.
It was important to listen. To acknowledge and empathise. Not to sympathise. Rather to take a moment to step into the other persons shoes. Imagine looking back through their eyes. What experience had they had.
Then seek for ways to subtly show that opportunities exist, even in dark times.
Reworking Joseph 