Fargin

For my birthday back in 2019, Justin gave me the 23 & Me genetic testing kit.

That gift should really get its own post (or perhaps, more accurately, its own novella…drama, drama, drama!), but I won’t get distracted telling you about it here.

Suffice it to say, I was curious about my genetics (shocker, I know).

Anywhoo.

I was messing around on the 23 & Me website the other day and stumbled across a new word that will be among my words for 2021 (I’ve given up choosing just one):

Fargin.

It’s a Yiddish verb that means “to be wholeheartedly happy for the success of another.”

When I read that definition, I pinky-swear that my whole body went electric.

To be wholeheartedly happy for the success of another.

Yes. YESSSSSSSSS.

That is how I want to move through the world, right there.

How do I avoid comparison and feelings of inadequacy?

Fargin.**

How do I build a community of generous and collaborative people?

Fargin.

How do I gain energy and inspiration from the beauty and creativity already in the world?

Fargin.

We’ve all known what it is to fail over and over as we work toward a goal, to have to continue to pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off, and get back into the ring.

We’ve all known what it is to finally reach a goal— hard won after the blood, sweat, and tears— only to have someone we thought would celebrate with us become dismissive or, even worse, petty and hurtful.

Frankly, it sucks, right?

Fargin.

It’s a verb, but I think it’s also an invitation.

An invitation to lift each other up.

An invitation to be a part of something greater than just ourselves.

An invitation to spread love and community and put some tangible good into the world.

The thing is, it’s also self-serving in the very best way.

It’s impossible to wholeheartedly be happy for someone else without, you know, being happy.

There is energy to be found in encouraging others.

I have some other words for 2021, and maybe there will be room to share some of them with you in the coming weeks.

But I wanted to give you this one to start with because I thought you might be able to use a little full-body electricity, too.

Try it.

Try beginning your shiny new year by being wholeheartedly happy for the success of another.

Celebrate with them.

Shout them out on social media if you’re on it.

This was a tough year, I know.

But you made it.

We made it.

And I think that counts a gigantic success, so…

FARGIN!

I am wholeheartedly happy for you, and wish you the very, very best in 2021.

**I’m positive that I’m violating Yiddish grammar rules here, about which I know nothing whatsoever…I beg forgiveness and education from anyone willing to teach me the proper way to use this incredible word!