Shared Joy
A friend of mine has been absolutely fanatical about the Seattle Seahawks since birth. So naturally, I asked them if they would be going to the Super Bowl live and in-person. Their reply was:
“Haha it would be a nice dream, but I don’t think I would ever be able to make it work.”
They joked that only celebrities go to the Super Bowl. They couldn’t even imagine the possibility of attending the game LIVE — even if it was on their bucket list. I tried to convince them that anything is possible. They pushed back by saying:
“My mind would only change if I buy a winning lottery ticket.”
It’s strange to me when someone puts more faith in the lottery than their own abilities. The odds of a winning lottery ticket are 300M-1. The odds of your dreams coming true are 50-50 — if you are willing to do the work.
I explained to my friend that there is a path to everything we want in life. We may get there. We may not. But, how about if we walk together, do the work, take the steps, and see how far we can get? They said:
“OK, but I don’t want to get my hopes up.”
Hope is the magic that makes the impossible possible.
My friend is quietly magical every day of their life. Their career is devoted to bringing hope to others and easing the suffering of foster children. They spent the last 10 years helping to care for a father with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. They are always the first to show up when other people need help.
Maybe it was time for my friend to receive some of that magic they freely give to others. Wouldn’t it be fun to help them get to the Super Bowl of their dreams?
I believe in an old Swedish proverb: Shared joy is double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow.
After a rough month of shared sorrows, I knew a few people who would jump on the opportunity to experience shared joy. Wouldn’t it be fun to help make someone’s dream come true?
YES! Everyone asked said yes. As people showed up to help, something powerful shifted. My friend’s once-stubborn mindset began to soften:
“Even if I don’t go, I’ll be glad I at least tried. I believe everything will work out as it is meant to be.”
No one knew if my friend would make it all the way to the Super Bowl live and in-person. But everyone was willing to help. It was a dream that could not be achieved alone.
We didn’t make it to the financial goal, but magic rewarded our efforts. The ticket prices dropped. And, the dream came true.
Shared joy is double joy. On the big day, we cherished every photo shared. We hung on every detail. Their excitement became our own. We lived the Super Bowl through their eyes and their experiences.
When the Seahawks won, the celebration spilled into the night. My friend moved closer to see their beloved Seahawks lift the Lombardi Trophy. They scooped confetti into their pockets like treasure. They lived every moment fully LIVE while feeling fully ALIVE.
There is an energy that calls people to LIVE events. It’s a wonderful way to LIVE. The next day, my friend shared:
“I woke up this morning wanting to relive the day all over again!!! It seriously was a dream come true and a bucket list item. I learned to BELIEVE in my dreams and never give up! I’ll never forget the love and support that made the impossible possible.”
There is an energy that calls people to LIVE events. Once you go, you’ll never forget the feeling. It’s a joy meant to be shared. And, a story you’ll tell for the rest of your life.
