Schadenfreude

is such a hipster word. Always trying to be different than all the other words.
I first heard it when I lived in Germany, a typical German sounding word that had an interesting meaning; to take joy in others sorrow. I loved the concept but didn't like the meaning.

Sometimes I partake in the joy of other peoples sorrows. Most recently I was happy that Ratko Mladic, the Serbian war criminal, was captured. I found joy in his sorrow, but no matter how deserved his sorrow is the joy feels dirty, as if there was a hidden clause in the joy document that I signed.

The other day while browsing Reddit I came upon the word that stands for the opposite of Schadenfreude; Mudita, taking joy in others joy. Instantly I remembered many times that I felt mudita. What a wonderful feeling it is; it never feels dirty, and I feel it when I'm most content.

This blog is a step by step account of my drive towards cultivating more mudita in my life. For the purposes of coolness I call it blasting, BLASTING MUDITA.

For the next six months I will share my journey with you through pictures, videos and words. My first stop is the Appalachian Mountain range. After hiking for three months, my plan is to visit San Diego and after that I'm off to Europe.

I will get what I need out of this blog and I hope you do the same.