It is a mistake to restrict our understanding of happiness to terms of tension release and the gratification of physical needs. This is only one side, and sometimes only a minor side of the story.
Happiness can derive from varied situations, and one of its most powerful is tied to the experience of overcoming challenges through hard work, dedication, and creative effort. There are few things more satisfying and enjoyable than the experience of accomplishing a challenging task that demanded our best, most committed and creative efforts, and that awakened in us a personal awareness of value, fulfillment and meaning.
“Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money: it lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.” (Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd U.S. President)
“All happiness depends on courage and work.” (Honoré de Balzac, 19th century French author)
“If you aren’t in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?” (T.S. Eliot, poet, literary critic)
Getting Personal
Have you ever experienced great happiness as a result of working hard to overcome challenges in order to pursue and possibly accomplish an important goal? What was there about this experience that caused you to feel happy?
