I used to believe that if I could do certain things - write a book or be a successful musician - that I'd be transformed into a happy person, but it doesn't work that way.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Through a long and painful process, I've learned that happiness is an inside job - not based on anything or anyone in the outer material world. I've become a different and better person - not perfect, but still a work in progress.
I had a handle on satisfaction, and I loved my career, but I didn't really know what happiness was. So I started on this quest to have a happy life.
I have found that the only thing that does bring you happiness is doing something good for somebody who is incapable of doing it for themselves.
I wish people could achieve what they think would bring them happiness in order for them to realize that that's not really what happiness is.
I don't think anyone does anything from happiness. Happiness is such a good state, it doesn't need to be creative. You're not creative from happiness, you're just happy. You're creative when you're miserable and depressed. You find the key to transform things. Happiness does not need to transform.
When I was growing up, I thought I'd be a lot happier if I was famous and successful and if I had money.
There have been multitudes of times in my career where I could have taken an easier road or a more commercial path, and I've been just like, 'That's not gonna make me happy.'
I think my capacity to change has given me tremendous happiness, because who I am today I am completely content to be.
I always had a larger view. I'm interested in real life - my family, my friends. I have tried never to define myself by my success, whatever that is. My happiness is way beyond roles and awards.
I'm one of those people who thinks you can have a happy life and still be an artist.