Happiness is...

"Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure nor this thing nor that, but simply growth. We are happy when we are growing." - William Butler Yeats

I shared with you all back in November that I was learning the violin, a childhood dream of mine. I really felt like I needed to try it and it had been something I had always thought about in the back of my mind.

"Someday...", I would say to myself. 

But, alas, I would not be the person I said I was if I didn't challenge myself to grow. For me, it was a big step, one that I just went for one day after having put it off long enough. 

p.s. Don't be confused... I don't sound good...yet! 

But every time I practice, I gain such a great deal of delight. Actually, it is happiness, really. Because I am growing in an entirely new way. I am pushing my brain to think in a new way and my hands to coordinate in an entirely new way. Sometimes, it even reminds me of music! 

Today, I came across this quote from William Butler Yeats and suddenly it clicked with me why doing something that causes us to grow can bring so much happiness. It just makes sense. When you are caught up in something you delight in with the vast expanse out before you of room to stretch and grow, it evokes the adventure inside of us. We feel a slow smile come to our faces as our eyes fix on what we are doing and our mind wanders and wonders at the possibility. 

"Simply growth. 

We are happy when we are growing."

If you will notice the red tape... that is for beginners. It shows you where to put your fingers so you can make the correct notes. Well, at least correct-ish.

p.s. Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity is coming this Spring! You can pre-order your paperback or e-book on the homepage and be a part of the first release!