Take the Thrill of the Creative Effort into the New Year
What most creatives know about happiness is this: If they can’t create, they can’t be happy. Here’s to the thrill of the creative effort and happiness for all in 2014:
Phillip Q. Gangan on The Path to Creative Happiness: “Creativity . . . is an integral part of everyday life, both at work and at play. Though we are blessed with the gift of creativity, being creative is a personal choice that must be put into action.”
Tanner Christensen on What Makes Creative Individuals Happy: “While creative success matters, what’s really important for true creative individuals is the ability to simply create. The act of creating every day, of focusing in on a project or problem, is what drives true happiness for people like us.”
Carrie Barron, M.D. on Creativity, Happiness and Your Own Two Hands: “Making things promotes psychological well-being. Process is important for happiness because when we make, repair or create things we feel vital and effective. It isn’t as much about reaching one’s potential as doing something interesting–less about ambition and more about living.” ♣
More inspiration on the connection between creativity and happiness:
- A Formula for Happiness (NewYorkTimes.com)
- Blissful Endeavors: The Path to Creative Happiness (phillipqgangan.wordpress.com)
- For Creatives, Happiness Is All in Creating (creativesomething.net)
- The Creativity Cure (psychologytoday.com)
- Top Creativity Books for 2013 (makeyourideasart.com)
SHARING MY CREATIVITY MAKES ME HAPPY:
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Very true. And when a naturally creative person suppresses their Muse for practical reasons (earning money for a different job, raising a family), it is like pushing a sprouting seedling down.
Merry Christmas! And like you we got enough snow.
Even pushed-down sprouting seedlings break through a bit here and there. 😉 Thanks for your comments.
Dear Jann,
Thank you so much for including me in this piece. It’s quite an honor.
No matter how challenging, frustrating and soul-destroying it could be at times, nothing beats the satisfaction that comes from creating something with your hands and heart. I truly believe that everyone is born creative. However, it really is a conscious choice that must be put into action.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Best,
Phillip Gangan
Well said. I’m happy to have discovered your writing on creativity. A creative 2014 to you!
How did I miss this…..Thanks!!
Glad you found it–whenever!!