If you can take only one step towards happiness, let it be this: Create.
Create something. Anything. Make it something you really enjoy doing. Or, learn to enjoy doing it during the process.
It could be something you’ve always wanted to try. Or, it could be something that you have been doing for years. Whatever your experience level with your chosen creation, practice it on a regular basis.
Don’t worry about the results. Don’t worry if it is good or not. Don’t worry what people might say. Just create.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t get paid for it or if it never receives critical acclaim. What matters is bringing your creation to life. Creating something where there was once nothing.
Engaging in the creative process takes us outside of the little experiences of daily life. You know those things that we shouldn’t pay that much attention to, but we do anyway. Those things take a back seat while practicing creativity.
You might just find yourself sitting down to create, and finding that hours have passed without you being aware of it. The process itself might become so enjoyable that you would practice this activity whether there were any external rewards or not. That’s because the creative process is it’s own reward.
Can you imagine if everything you did was it’s own reward? What would life feel like then?
“I began by tinkering around with some old tunes I knew. Then, just to try something different, I set to putting some music to the rhythm that I used in jerking ice-cream sodas at the Poodle Dog. I fooled around with the tune more and more until at last, lo and behold, I had completed my first piece of finished music. ” — Duke Ellington
This is a great post. I’ll definitely be spreading the word about it by tweeting it! 🙂
.-= Positively Present´s last blog ..the benefits of having a grateful day =-.
Hi Amanda,
There is something very rewarding in the creation process. I suppose it’s that sense of accomplishment, especially when it has deeper meaning. It is definitely a good place to be….
.-= Lance´s last blog ..Exposed =-.
Hi Amanda – Well said. Creating/creativity is definitely my touch stone. When I can remember to let that be the lens through which I look at life, then everything else just seems to fall into place.
.-= Patty – Why Not Start Now?´s last blog ..The House of Belonging =-.
Hi Amanda — I love the Duke Ellington quote. One of my favorite things to do is write pieces of music in a really spontaneous way — by hunting and pecking a few random notes on the staff, and turning that into a melody. That process is definitely its own reward.
Hi Dani – Thanks!
Hi Lance – Right, there is tremendous accomplishment in creative pursuits. It’s a great feeling.
Hi Patty – yes, I would also say that being creative brings me back to a central place where I can always connect with myself. it’s nice to have that.
Hi Chris – yeah, I thought that quote really hit upon the creative process. Most times you are simply playing with soemthing.
It is easy to let that negative little voice in our heads talk us out of our creative pursuits. It might remind you of how your last endeavor didn’t work out or of how someone in your past told you weren’t any good. So its important that we don’t listen to this voice.
.-= Persha -DumpedDays´s last blog ..Regret Breaking up? Dealing With Feelings Of Regret After A Break Up =-.
You have given me something to ponder. Happiness is the highest ideal most people aspire; there are many avenues and one of them is to create. The satisfaction of creation enables us to appreciate our true nature, hence the feeling of happiness. 🙂
.-= Walter´s last blog ..Success eludes mediocrity =-.
Hi Persha – That’s right, we should listen to the voice that says “Why don’t you give it a try? What’s the worst thing that could happen?” 🙂
Hi Walter – Yeah, I think that’s right. We do appreciate our “true nature” a little more when we are creating. 🙂
Thank you for your uplifting words.
Creativity is all there is, even managing a family on a budget is a form of creativity. When we lose sight of this obvious fact life can loose its lustre. Making time to write helps me find the magic in the ordinary. Thanks again for the reminder!
Hi Alex – I like that you mention that. It absolutely is a creative act to manage a family on a budget. Creativity is not just about traditional artistic pursuits. Also, the word “magic” is exactly right. Creativity does bring a certain magic to our lives.
The power of creation is remarkable. when we have finished our work having something we can point at and say, I did that. Not only does it bring happiness during the act of creation but we are left with something that can remind us of all those happy hours when we are finished.
This is so true! I am always at my happiest when I am putting words together =)
Hi Quinn – I agree. It is a great feeling to have something finished before you. Both the process and the results are very rewarding.
Hi Rocky – Me too!
Would you be OK with me translating this to Dutch and putting it on my Dutch blog?
Hi Kim – That would be fine with me. Thanks. 🙂