How to be happy though human / by W. Béran Wolfe.
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working, never of an actual choice of occupation. The man who for a good reason is dissatisfied with his job, usually has the courage to get out of it, and into another occupation that gives him greater satisfaction. The best work in the world, as I suggested in a previous chapter, is that occupation which represents training in the compensation for some organic or other inferiority feeling in terms of social usefulness. Not everyone can find the best job for himself. A great many are forced by the unfortunate economic structure of modern society to busy themselves with the necessary chores and hack¬ work of the world, in order to earn a living. For them the focus of values must be not in work itself but in their other human relations, whether in society, sex, their own family, or some avocation. While it is true that the economic structure forces many people into work which is neither interesting nor satisfaction-giving, nothing can prevent anyone from assuming an avocation which does offer that satisfaction. There is a certain quantum of creative energy in every human being which is not absorbed by the business of a work-a-day world. Even people who are engaged in some eminently satisfactory occupation have some creative energy left over. This is the essential godliness in man. We must all create something—or class our¬ selves as human vegetables. No one can be happy who does not find some channel for this creative energy. When we suggest creative or artistic activities to neurotics, we are usually met with the objection that they have no artistic talent, no time, or no inclination. “ I have never done anything like that.” Often they call attention to the fact that there are already so many experts that they cannot compete. Herein lies their psychological difficulty. It is not necessary to compete with the greatest sculptors of all time. It is quite possible to get a great deal of pleasure and recreation simply from attempting to model your wife's head in plasticine. It is not necessary to be a Rembrandt to get fun in drawing the types in the tube or in your office.