Back to summer, it’s the creative journey.

I just got back from spending a relaxing weekend at the Jersey shore. While there, I read a book my son recommended that he had read for a college course, titled Strangers to Ourselves: Discovering the Adaptive Unconscious by Timothy Wilson. I thought it was an interesting read, lots of studies cited about knowing oneself. The dichotomy of conscious vs. non conscious is discussed thoroughly.

One point that struck me was in the chapter of what makes people happy. Many people, Mr. Wilson points out, think mega money will make you happy. However, studies of lottery winners have shown that lots of money truly does not provide happiness, rather annoyance and aggravation, and a detour from pleasures of everyday life. What is an activity that make people truly happy? One endeavor mentioned was enjoying the journey of making or creating something. I really need to remember this. I know too well that it is creating, making paintings, recipes, books, patterns, etc., etc. that give me so much joy. We all get bogged down in mundane meaningless tasks that seem sometimes to take over our life. It’s the creative journey, stupid, that is what makes us happy.

Read more at: Staying Free and Creative.