Conclusion

Happily Ever After

Many people have been inspired by mythologist Joseph Campbell’s clarion call to “follow your bliss.” I was first introduced to this idea as a young artist and therapist, and I found the prospect both intriguing and daunting. What is bliss, really, and how do you follow it?

Bliss is defined in the dictionary as “supreme happiness.” Digging further into Campbell’s work, I found this quote: “The way to find out about happiness is to keep your mind on those moments when you feel most happy, when you are really happy—not excited, not just thrilled, but deeply happy. This requires a little bit of self-analysis. What is it that makes you happy? Stay with it, no matter what people tell you. This is what is called following your bliss.”

Chapters 1 through 3 of The Creative Entrepreneur present tools for self-analysis, from discovering what has heart and meaning and what your innate gifts are, to how you uniquely function mentally, physically, and psychologically. But self-understanding is not that useful unless it is put into practice and used to create something new or transform something old. The ideas, tools, and exercises in this book are meant to be used in an ongoing and as-needed way to help you stay motivated and inspired, and also to support you when your business is not feeling so blissful.