On why undertaking a major project is a good source of happiness.

I've written before about the massive project I've undertaken with a friend -- a book of photographs of our children, modeled after the brilliant J. M. Barrie's one-of-a-kind book, The Boy Castaways of Black Lake Island.

It turns out that a multi-step, multi-hassle, multi-errand, time-sucking project like this one brings SO MUCH HAPPINESS!

It's fun to do something fun with a friend -- and even better, our children are involved, too. It's always fun to take cool photos of your children, especially when you can dress them in costumes. We have a reason to do things we wouldn't ordinarily bother to do; this morning, we met in the park at 9:30 a.m. It was gorgeous in the park, but in the normal course of life, we would never have been there that early today.

This morning, the Boy Castaways project (as we call it now, because we haven't thought of a title for our book yet) was also an opportunity for me to enjoy the novelty and challenge that are so important to happiness.

Today was a big day, because we were taking the much-anticipated boat shots. We rented two rowboats in Central Park, rowed out to the middle, and took pictures of the children. One of the photos will take its title from my favorite line from Barrie's Boy Castaways: We set out to be wrecked.

The novelty and challenge, for me, arose from the fact that I had to row one of the boats. This is not the kind of thing I would ordinarily be inclined to do at all. I'm very uncoordinated and unadventurous. My friend, on the other hand, was raring to go. She's the type to eat pie for breakfast and encourage her kids to catch turtles -- so rowing a boat was no big deal for her.

I'm sure she knew I was dreading the challenge (fact is, novelty and challenge are usually accompanied by fear or frustration), and also knew that I'd be fine if I had to do the rowing, and indeed, once we got out on the water, I LOVED it. "Why haven't we done this before?" I kept thinking. "We could eat a picnic on the water! We could row all around the lake! We have a great view of Bethesday fountain!"

Now, for many people, rowing a boat isn't novel or challenging -- but it was for me. I got a burst of happiness from the satisfaction of having tackled my uneasiness and having mastered something new. The fact that it's extremely easy to row a boat on a perfectly calm little lake didn't at all detract from my feelings of triumph.

And the photos! They were unbelievable. A happy morning.

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I discovered the Wisdom Journal -- a blog about "life, money, business, and the pursuit of balance." Subjects useful to the study of happiness!

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Comments

[David Barber]

Good Early Morning, I was reading your site. Interesting! I really enjoy having a new project! I become excited by it. The thrill of developing something new. So, I was intrigued by this page. I'll read more!

Dave Barber,
Albuquerque, NM.

[Linda Davenport]

The power of working toward something can't be overrated. When I think back on times I've been happiest, I've been actively engaged in some pursuit that required time, energy, creativity. The same has been true of relationships; when I've been able to work toward something with other people, the bonds have been stronger, the time together more rewarding. Happiness masquerades as a noun but it's really a verb.

[Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D.]

You're so right about the joy derived from mastering something new. It doesn't have to be very big or scary either. The fact that you didn't know how to do it, and now you do, is all that's required.

I love the photo book you're creating with your children. The memories and finished project will be priceless.

[Hope Evey]

I thought of this post when I saw this other post, and thought you might like to see it - http://kissing.wordpress.com/2008/10/14/finding-meaning-in-suffering/

[Kristin]

I love this idea, and with 4 kids of my own my brain immediately began formulating our own family story. I tried to look at the book thru your directions in an older post, but I was only able to see the cover. Maybe you could explain about the original book & your version more in a future post? Thank you for your daily doses of happiness, I always enjoy reading your blog.