Schadenfreude is a psychological term meaning joy in the misfortune of others. Naturally, as I sit here in my comfortable house, looking out the window at a perfectly blue sky and a comfortable 58 degrees, I wonder. According to all the media the East Coast is suffering the worst snowstorm in decades and Southern California has had so much rain that houses are literally sliding down mountains. I wonder. Do I have schadenfreude?
And I've decided the answer is a clear NO. I don't enjoy the misfortune of others but since there's not a thing I can do about the snow on the East Coast or the mudslides in Southern California, I might as well enjoy what I have. There should be a psychological term for joy in spite of the misfortune of others.
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