I Can Be Glad for You
Recognize envy and try a sincere appreciation of another person's effort or kindness.
Watch lesson 9
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Let’s begin
Some wishes can wait. Today a friend manages something we also want to learn.
Can you feel glad for a friend and a little envious too?
Story time
Xiaohe completed a whole skipping-rope sequence for the first time. Everyone clapped. Anan looked down. She had practiced for days but still caught the rope with her feet. 'Why wasn't it me?' she wondered.
The teacher asked whether Anan wanted a break. Anan admitted that she felt envious. 'You want to improve too,' the teacher said. 'We can also notice Xiaohe's effort.' Anan remembered how often Xiaohe had tried. She said, 'You kept practicing. Could you show me how to start?'
Xiaohe demonstrated one small step, and Anan tried just that part. She could not yet do the whole sequence, but Xiaohe's progress had not taken away her chance to learn. She could appreciate her friend and care for her own learning too.
Think together
Buddhists call taking joy in others' goodness and progress 'rejoicing.' One small, sincere appreciation is a beginning. It does not require pretending to be excited.
- Can Anan congratulate her friend while still feeling some envy?
- Which words were specific and sincere?
Try an activity
Make an 'I noticed your effort' card for a story character. Describe one real action without ranking who is best.
Take it home
If you wish, notice one kind action by a family member and say something specific about it.
For adults: read-aloud script and guidance
Never require praise for someone who is hurting the child. Appreciating progress does not mean ignoring unfairness. Adults still need to address exclusion or bullying.
Nine-slide lesson outline
1. I Can Be Glad for You
Learn together, one small step.
Recognize envy and try a sincere appreciation of another person's effort or kindness.
Some wishes can wait. Today a friend manages something we also want to learn.
2. Look closely
Can you feel glad for a friend and a little envious too?
Some wishes can wait. Today a friend manages something we also want to learn.
Can you feel glad for a friend and a little envious too?
3. Story 1 / 3
Xiaohe completed a whole skipping-rope sequence for the first time. Everyone clapped. Anan looked down. She had practiced for days but still caught the rope with her feet. 'Why wasn't it me?' she wondered.
Xiaohe completed a whole skipping-rope sequence for the first time. Everyone clapped. Anan looked down. She had practiced for days but still caught the rope with her feet. 'Why wasn't it me?' she wondered.
4. Story 2 / 3
The teacher asked whether Anan wanted a break. Anan admitted that she felt envious. 'You want to improve too,' the teacher said. 'We can also notice Xiaohe's effort.' Anan remembered how often Xiaohe had tried. She said, 'You kept practicing. Could you show me how to start?'
The teacher asked whether Anan wanted a break. Anan admitted that she felt envious. 'You want to improve too,' the teacher said. 'We can also notice Xiaohe's effort.' Anan remembered how often Xiaohe had tried. She said, 'You kept practicing. Could you show me how to start?'
5. Story 3 / 3
Xiaohe demonstrated one small step, and Anan tried just that part. She could not yet do the whole sequence, but Xiaohe's progress had not taken away her chance to learn. She could appreciate her friend and care for her own learning too.
Xiaohe demonstrated one small step, and Anan tried just that part. She could not yet do the whole sequence, but Xiaohe's progress had not taken away her chance to learn. She could appreciate her friend and care for her own learning too.
6. A Buddhist idea
Someone else's progress
does not take away our chance.
Buddhists call taking joy in others' goodness and progress 'rejoicing.' One small, sincere appreciation is a beginning. It does not require pretending to be excited.
7. Talk together
Can Anan congratulate her friend while still feeling some envy?
Which words were specific and sincere?
Listen to different answers. Ask why. Children may discuss the characters rather than private experiences.
8. Try an activity
Make a specific appreciation card.
Make an 'I noticed your effort' card for a story character. Describe one real action without ranking who is best.
If you wish, notice one kind action by a family member and say something specific about it.
9. For grown-ups
Read aloud, discuss and try a small activity.
Stories and exercises: BlessFu
Illustrations: AI-assisted
Full references and guidance are in the companion booklet.
Never require praise for someone who is hurting the child. Appreciating progress does not mean ignoring unfairness. Adults still need to address exclusion or bullying.
Next we will be kind to ourselves when we do not win.
Story and references
Theme reference: Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Joyful Parents, Successful Children, chapter 4, section on rejoicing, Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive. The skipping-rope story and teaching activities are original BlessFu work, not a translation or an endorsed course.
https://www.lamayeshe.com/article/chapter/4-teaching-seven-foundations
Next we will be kind to ourselves when we do not win.