When a friend hits a milestone, you’re the first one popping the champagne; when they succeed, your heart swells with genuine joy.

No smidgen of jealousy taints your celebration.

That’s a rare quality, my friend.

In fact, it speaks volumes about your character and strengths.

Let’s be honest, in this hyper-competitive world where everyone seems to be outdoing each other, it’s not always easy to rejoice in others’ victories without that little twinge of envy.

Some folks have it easier than others as they possess certain strengths that set them apart.

Boy, are these strengths worth discussing!

1) They value genuine connections

Let’s face it, in a world brimming with superficial interactions, genuine connections are hard to come by.

But for those who can truly celebrate their friends’ successes, these connections are a lifeline.

They cherish them, nurture them and hold them close to their hearts; they’re not just friends, they’re family.

This deep sense of connection allows them to share in their friends’ happiness unabashedly.

Their friend’s success isn’t seen as a threat or a measure of their own worth—instead, it’s a cause for celebration.

It’s like they have this internal barometer that measures joy not by personal gain, but by the happiness they can share with others.

When a friend succeeds, that barometer goes off the charts.

They understand that a friend’s success doesn’t diminish their own potential.

Instead, it fuels their motivation and nurtures their spirit.

It’s not about keeping score or one-upping each other—it’s about uplifting each other and fostering growth.

2) They practice gratitude

In my own life, I’ve learned the value of practicing gratitude.

It’s not always easy, especially when you’re faced with your own challenges.

But let me tell you, it’s a game-changer.

A few years back, I watched as one of my closest friends landed her dream job.

It was a position I’d coveted myself for years but, instead of letting jealousy seep in, I chose to be grateful.

I was grateful for her success because she’d worked tirelessly for it, I was grateful because her joy was infectious—it brightened up even my worst days—and I was grateful because her achievement served as a motivation for me to chase my dreams with renewed vigor.

Every time I felt the shadow of envy creep in, I consciously shifted my focus back to gratitude.

And you know what? It worked.

Gratitude transformed a potentially negative situation into a positive one.

It allowed me to genuinely celebrate my friend’s success without feeling a shred of jealousy.

That’s the power of gratitude—it nudges us to appreciate what we have and celebrate what others achieve.

3) They possess a high emotional intelligence

Emotional Intelligence, or EQ, is often overlooked in a world that places so much emphasis on IQ.

But, did you know that people with high EQs are usually more successful in their personal and professional lives?

People who can genuinely celebrate their friends’ success without feeling jealous usually have a high EQ.

This means they’re good at identifying, understanding, and managing their own emotions as well as the emotions of others.

They can empathize with their friends’ journey to success and share in the joy it brings; they understand that their feelings of happiness for their friends do not in any way undermine their own accomplishments or worth.

This emotional awareness helps to keep feelings of jealousy and insecurity in check while fostering a positive environment where everyone’s achievements are celebrated.

4) They believe in abundance

This might seem a bit philosophical, but stay with me here.

People who can genuinely celebrate their friends’ success without feeling jealous usually believe in the concept of abundance.

They understand that the world is not a zero-sum game.

In other words, they believe that there is enough for everyone.

Your friend’s success does not mean there is less success left for you.

On the contrary, they see their friend’s achievement as proof that success is attainable.

This belief in abundance frees them from the shackles of jealousy and allows them to fully rejoice in the triumphs of others.

After all, if there’s plenty of success to go around, why not be happy for those who’ve found theirs?

5) They’re secure in their own journey

Something I’ve personally noticed about people who can genuinely celebrate their friends’ success without feeling jealous—they’re incredibly secure in their own journey.

I remember a time when my friend landed a major promotion while I was going through a rough patch in my career.

Instead of feeling envious, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride for my friend.

I was secure in the knowledge that my time would come, and that my journey was different from hers.

These individuals understand that everyone moves at their own pace, and that’s okay.

They focus on their growth and progress, rather than comparing it to others; they know that they are working towards their own goals and dreams, and that’s enough for them.

Their sense of self-worth and satisfaction comes from within, not from external validation or comparison—and, believe me, it’s a much healthier way to live.

6) They embrace vulnerability

Here’s something you might not expect: Those who can genuinely celebrate their friends’ success often embrace their own vulnerability.

Instead of viewing vulnerability as a weakness, they see it as a strength.

It allows them to connect on a deeper level, to feel joy, sadness, and everything in between—not just for themselves, but for others too.

This openness to feeling makes it easier for them to share in the happiness of their friends’ achievements.

They’re not afraid to express their excitement or pride, even if it means showing a side of themselves that others might perceive as ‘too emotional’ or ‘overly invested’.

At the end of the day, they understand that being able to feel for others and rejoice in their happiness is a beautiful thing.

7) They’re genuinely happy for others

This might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s worth mentioning.

People who can genuinely celebrate their friends’ success without feeling jealous are, quite simply, genuinely happy for others.

They take joy in seeing the people they care about thrive and succeed.

Their happiness is not reserved for their own achievements but extends to those around them as well.

This ability to find joy in the success of others is a testament to their generosity of spirit.

They understand that happiness shared is happiness multiplied.

In doing so, they create a positive and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and celebrated.

8) They understand that success is not finite

Above all, people who can genuinely celebrate their friends’ success without feeling jealous understand one critical thing: Success is not finite.

They know that there isn’t a limited amount of success in the world, and someone else’s achievement doesn’t take away from their own potential.

They see each success, whether it’s theirs or someone else’s, as proof that hard work pays off, dreams are achievable, and goals are within reach.

This belief allows them to celebrate others’ achievements wholeheartedly, without any room for jealousy.

Because in their eyes, every success—no matter who it belongs to—is a win for everyone.

Embracing the joy in others’ success

If you’ve been reading along, you might have noticed a common thread that ties together people who can genuinely celebrate their friends’ success without feeling jealous—a deep sense of empathy, gratitude, and understanding of the abundance of success.

Because celebrating others’ success is about acknowledging the effort, the struggle, and the journey that led to that achievement; it’s about being able to share in that joy and let it inspire you.

The ability to be happy for others comes from a place of self-assuredness, emotional intelligence, and genuine care.

These qualities don’t just make someone good at celebrating others—they make them a great person to be around.

As John Holmes once said, “There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.”

And what better way to lift someone up than by celebrating their achievements?