Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort. – Franklin D. Roosevelt

What does that mean?

This is a quote about the author’s definition of happiness. The quote says that the joy of achievement is one pathway to happiness. How do you feel when you achieve something? It tends to help me feel happy, especially when it was an achievement which meant something to me.

The quote also mentions the thrill of creative effort as another path to happiness. Do you enjoy the creative process, and the effort involved? I believe this is at least half the reason I do software. The quote talks about these two paths in specific. What other paths do you use in your path towards happiness?

Why is happiness important?

In this post, I want to focus on happiness from the standpoint of creating and achieving. While I imagine some can find happiness without any creativity in their lives, I know that I can’t. For the purpose of this blog, I will presume that the same applies to you.

The joy of achievement gives a special type of happiness. There is a special feeling in getting something done, getting to the end of a process, or finally getting something done. It might be a healthy sense of pride might be another way to describe it.

The thrill of creative effort gives a slightly different type of happiness. It is a feeling of action, rather than completion. Putting effort into making something potentially beautiful from random thoughts, ideas, and raw inspiration is really quite a rush.

Both of these are forms of happiness. I’m not certain you can relate to both, but hopefully you can relate to at least one of them. If not, you might want to consider times when you were happy, and think about what you were doing that helped you find happiness.

Where can I apply this in my life?

There are two basic directions this quote takes, the creating and the accomplishing. If you wish to add a third form, that which is most important to you, then you should be able to find some way to walk towards happiness.

What do you like to accomplish, that brings you happiness? Do you like to run or ride a bicycle? For fun, as a challenge to yourself, or competitively? Do you like making things, completing small projects in the workshop/garage or around the house? Perhaps something as simple as pruning plants around the house or pulling weeds, do you feel a sense of accomplishment when you are done? What else is there that you enjoy accomplishing?

What creative things do you do that bring you happiness? Do you write (a blog, a newsletter, a book, notes to yourself)? Do you do art (painting, sculpting, drawing, needle arts)? Do you do design (graphic arts, games, flowers)? Do you cook or keep a garden? These are just some examples from my family and past. What else is there that you enjoy creating?

What other things bring you happiness? Think through all the different ways you have done them or presently do them, and how you might, in the future, do them differently. Then think for a moment about all the other ways you might be able to get the same happiness, but through different means (see some of the examples in the paragraphs above).

This post is kind of fun, in that it is purely introspective. You are looking inwards to see how some of your happiness works. Only you know what is proper for you, and how to get the most out of what you do. I hope this has been both fun and enlightening.

Remember, nothing makes you happy, you have to decide to be happy. You won’t be happy by winning a race, but you might choose to be happy for having given your best at the race. While there is no need to do anything to be happy, there is a certain satisfaction in accomplishing or creating something. Have fun as you do the things that bring joy and thrills to your life.

From: Twitter, @KimRMiller

confirmed at : http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/f/franklind124526.html

Photo by Philip Wilkerson

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