Happiness is an Inside Job
Issue #70
Happiness does not come from buying a new house or an expensive car. The thrill of buying something new is very short-lived. Happiness can not be found in the world outside ourselves. Happiness is an inside job. Each of us is responsible for our own happiness.
The same can be said for those of us who are creative leaders. The happiness created by the acceptance of our work by a publisher or an art gallery is only temporary. If we are not happy on the inside, we will soon return to our negative feelings of failure and frustration.
There is always going to be someone who is richer than you, more successful than you. Likewise, there is always someone who is poorer than you, less successful than you. No amount of money or success will free us from our fears and doubts. No amount of money will eliminate the pain in our hearts. If you win the lottery tomorrow, you will still be the same person you are today. The money will not make you happy if you are not already happy.
Happiness comes from loving and caring for those around us—from sharing ourselves with the people in our lives. Happiness comes from making a difference in the lives of others. Happiness comes from creating what we want to create, not what the market wants to buy. Happiness comes from making the most of what you have and not coveting the success of your neighbor.
Are you making a difference? Are you leaving your small corner of the world a better place than when you found it?
Many years ago, I was fired from a job and immediately put my house up for sale because I knew I would have to move to find another job in my field. A few weeks later, my wife and I stopped at a nursery and purchased a cherry tree that we planted in the backyard. Now, we would never see this tree grow, but we did it anyway. I strongly believe you need to leave a place better than you found it. You need to give back, and that is what I was doing. On two occasions, I had a chance to revisit this house, and I saw that the tree had grown into a beautiful tree.
In the moments before I speak, I motivate myself by repeating over and over to myself: "I will touch the life of at least one person. I will make a difference in the life of one person." I know I won't touch everyone, but if I can motivate one person to be better than he is, then I know I have done my job. As writers, artists, and creative leaders, we have the same opportunity to make a difference in people's lives.
I had an opportunity to hear Jane Goodall speak about her work. My wife, daughter, and I drove three hours to listen to her speak. Then we stood in a long line so she could sign a book for my daughter. We did not arrive home until about 2 a.m. Jane Goodall was an inspiration for my daughter. She made a difference in her life.
How are you touching the lives of the people you meet? Are you leaving your corner of the world better than you found it?
Have you ever felt pulled in opposite directions and thought you would break? Most of us have probably felt that way at one time or another. As creative leaders, living our lives in today's world can be very stressful and challenging. We have multiple priorities vying for our attention and time.
The demands of a job can be stressful in and of themselves. We have multiple people pulling and pushing us. We have deadlines that we have to meet. Quotas that we have to deliver. Goals we have to achieve.
On top of work, home life can add additional stress. We have children to raise, chores to do, and spouses who require our time. We have friends who call, text, and want to have coffee so they can chat about the stress in their lives.
Some days, it is amazing that we have time for ourselves. Some days, we can't find time to do any of our creative work, like writing or painting. When I go too long without writing, I feel out of sorts. A happy, successful life depends on taking care of oneself—on finding a release for our creative energies. Too often, we are so busy meeting the needs and demands of others that we forget about our own needs and expectations.
Negative people also create stress in our lives. They put us down, tell us we will never be successful, and are always finding something to criticize. They suggest we give up on our dreams because they have given up on theirs. They are very destructive to our spirits.
Five Ways to Care for Yourself
Discover what restores your spirit. Is it a walk in the woods, exercise, meditation, prayer, reading, writing, drawing, or singing?
Build time for yourself into your calendar even if it is five minutes a day.
Learn to say "no" to the requests of others if you don't have the time.
Avoid negative people who put you down and make you feel bad about yourself.
Associate with positive people who are supportive and caring.
Plant seeds of hope in the hearts of others!
Thank you for reading this issue of Creative Seeds of Hope.
Love that line that happiness is creating what you want to create, not what the market wants to buy.