Comments on: March 3rd: The future http://missiontobehappy.com/2010/03/march-3rd-the-future/ Michael McLean's Mission to be Happy Mon, 23 May 2011 14:07:09 -0700 hourly 1 By: Kristen http://missiontobehappy.com/2010/03/march-3rd-the-future/comment-page-1/#comment-243 Kristen Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:37:36 +0000 http://missiontobehappy.com/?p=212#comment-243 It is interesting to me (because it's about me), that every time I had a book turned down, I just slogged on. This was not happiness. It was - something else. Something I don't really understand. Doggedness. Not determination, because I know how that feels and can do that from time to time. Not exactly stubbornness. Just doggedness. Even now, after years of sudden failure - something I wasn't all that used to in the old days - I can't let go. But does being published have much to do with being happy? I think being involved in the process is a happy thing, feeling that you're moving along, accomplishing something. And the part about people reading the things that have come out of your head and finding them useful, or connecting to themselves in new ways because of something you put down on paper - that is deeply gratifying. I think that's actually the hot point, here - finding that something you are has been useful to someone else. The money (what little there is in this business for everyone but the few run-away hit hitters) isn't it. Though having the freedom the money allows can be invigorating in some ways. And being recognized? Meh. But being useful. Connecting. That is the happy part. When you cross paths with a young person, and still know them thirty five years later - that's cool, too. It is interesting to me (because it’s about me), that every time I had a book turned down, I just slogged on. This was not happiness. It was – something else. Something I don’t really understand. Doggedness. Not determination, because I know how that feels and can do that from time to time. Not exactly stubbornness. Just doggedness. Even now, after years of sudden failure – something I wasn’t all that used to in the old days – I can’t let go. But does being published have much to do with being happy? I think being involved in the process is a happy thing, feeling that you’re moving along, accomplishing something. And the part about people reading the things that have come out of your head and finding them useful, or connecting to themselves in new ways because of something you put down on paper – that is deeply gratifying. I think that’s actually the hot point, here – finding that something you are has been useful to someone else.

The money (what little there is in this business for everyone but the few run-away hit hitters) isn’t it. Though having the freedom the money allows can be invigorating in some ways. And being recognized? Meh. But being useful. Connecting. That is the happy part.

When you cross paths with a young person, and still know them thirty five years later – that’s cool, too.

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