Happiness does not come from buying a new house or an expensive car. The thrill of buying something new is very short-lived. Happiness can not be found in the world outside ourselves. Happiness is an inside job. Each of us is responsible for our own happiness.
The same can be said for those of us who are creative leaders. The happiness created by the acceptance of our work by a publisher or an art gallery is only temporary. If we are not happy on the inside, we will soon return to our negative feelings of failure and frustration.
There is always going to be someone who is richer than you — more successful than you. Likewise, there is always someone who is poorer than you — less successful that you. No amount of money or success will free us from our fears and doubts. No amount of money will eliminate the pain in our hearts. If you win the lottery tomorrow, you will still be the same person you are today. The money will not make you happy if you are not already happy.
Happiness comes from loving and caring for those around us — from sharing of ourselves with the people in our lives. Happiness comes from creating what we want to create, not what the market wants to buy. Happiness comes from making the most with what you have and not coveting the success of your neighbor.
