(This blog post first appeared in She Writes, Carol Palmatier’s blog on words for profit, for fun and for the $@*# of it.)

There’s a tendency in many of us to curb our enthusiasm, dampen our spirits, in order not to offend those who are not as happy. Sometimes we go so far as to complain about trivial things in order to maintain the appearance that life sucks for us, too, not just you. Especially in the last few years, it’s just not seemly to be content, doing well, thriving even. How rude.

I call it “bliss guilt” and I’m done with it.

To be sure, there is a big difference between gloating and being happy. If you are talking to someone who is hurting from a job loss, now is not the time to prattle on about the juicy new project you just landed. Still, you are serving absolutely no one if you drop down to the lowest common denominator. You can be compassionate and empathetic without (consciously or not) denigrating your own level of happiness. To the best of your ability, maintain your own positive vibration. It will not only serve you in reminding you to be grateful, it just may help the person you are with. Those positive vibes do rub off. As you radiate your own positive outlook, it will find root in the tiniest bit of receptive ground.

So while misery may love company, and I’m sure it does, it will find no company here. We are here to experience the wonder and delights of this life, not to wallow in despair and sadness. If you feel that spark of joy, even if only for the occasional moment, share it. Be a spark. Your ounce of love can counteract a million pounds of fear, and may be just the lifeline that someone else needs to see a glimpse of light.

Wag your tail.