What Makes You Happy?
I was talking to a friend of mine on the phone and told him that I’ve been blogging again and I already knew he had been reading them. I was telling him that I was getting traffic and wondering if he was going to tell me I was wasting time. But his comment surprised me a bit, he said, “You know, as a person who spends most of his time in a creative mode (he’s a musician), I know that there is something in a person who is made like you and me that just blossoms when we are allowed to be creative.”
He went on to say, “If I was raising children again, I would want them to experience creative outlets and let them explore in various fields like music, art, and writing until they found the niche that fit them best and they were happiest.” There’s a lot of wisdom in those words. He knows me well. He can hear the smile in my voice when I am writing or creating something. It doesn’t matter if it is a blog post, a client’s resume, someone’s LinkedIn profile, a newsletter, marketing piece, or an article for publication, when it comes together, I just feel delighted. I can hear that in his voice when he writes a new song or performs a concert.
What ever your passion is, when you are doing what really makes you happy, it changes you. For me, I bounce around and smile a lot when I feel like I am using the gifts God gave me. I guess in many ways, I have been blessed in my life because though there are things I do that I don’t enjoy, like processing paperwork and posting data, much of my life is spent doing things I love.
I know that many people don’t find a way to use their passion in what they do and they see work as drudgery and a burden. For me, I would find it hard to stay in a job that I hated. I would work very hard to put myself in a position where I could have enough money saved up so I could move into something that made me happy. For me being happy in whatever you do is critical.
How about you? Are you joyful in what you do? I don’t think it needs to be isolated to writing, art, or music. I’m also happy when I am cooking or gardening because both bring out my passion and creativity. I know people whose joy comes from solving complex math problems or analyzing scientific data. Whatever makes you feel that intense level of happiness or joy is most likely your passion and you will do best working in an environment where a good part of your time is spent on that area.
So what makes you happy? (The picture above is our dog, Teddy, and he always makes me happy!) And are you doing it right now? If not, are you thinking of how the thing that makes you happiest can be a focus of what you are doing for the rest of your life?
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Nice thoughts, Julie!!
Thanks, Joe… But you are the perfect example of someone who takes his passion and makes it part of every day life. From your kayaking to your broadcasting, you have found ways to make your passion something you can do.
thanks for the thoughts, I sometimes have to grease my creative elbow. For me, I find it difficult to define where my creative side lies!!
Hi Jamee!
Sometimes it takes putting that on paper. Write down some of the things that make you feel passionate. I can see that happening when you talk about the events at Bear Paw or programs you are promoting.
Your genuine enthusiasm comes out. Or that new puppy you are pictured with on the porch… I know the puppy makes you happy! Creative comes from taking the things that makes you happy and sharing them in whatever medium works best. For some that is in photographs, some it is competing in a sport, creative doesn’t necessarily lie in just the arts, music, or writing worlds as I said.
Creative could be planning a great program or event and finding ways to draw people in. WORS or the Wolfman come to mine. Putting the pieces in place so that events are attracted to your venue. Stepping back and asking others what’s missing can give you a springboard for even more creativity.
Follow your passion… It’s the key.
Creativity, helping others, learning, growing, becoming… your true self. After reading a summary of The Master Key to Riches (Napolean Hill) this morning, this definitely resonates with the key message, plus that of ‘The Secret’, Ask & It is Given and Crush It.
Know yourself, become who you are. Everyone else is taken!