"Le plaisir d'écrire réside dans la création, pas dans la reconnaissance."

Writing is a joy that comes from the process itself, not from the applause afterward. Think about the last time you sat down and got lost in something creative. Maybe it was painting, gardening, or even just doodling in your notebook. The magic happens when you're in the thick of it, your mind whirring with ideas, your hands moving almost of their own accord. The recognition—or lack thereof—comes later and, honestly, it doesn't hold a candle to that feeling of bringing something new into existence.

This idea really crystallized for me when I first read J.K. Rowling's story. Before Harry Potter became a household name, Rowling was a struggling single mother, scribbling away in cafes while her baby napped beside her. She wasn't writing with the expectation of international fame. She wrote because she had a story burning inside her that needed to be told. The recognition came much later. But you can imagine the joy she must have felt when she crafted the world of Hogwarts, the thrill of creating characters like Harry, Hermione, and Ron—characters so vivid they practically leapt off the page.

Let's bring it down to something a bit more everyday. Picture a high school student named Sam who loves writing. He writes short stories in his free time, losing himself in the worlds he creates. He doesn't share them with anyone. For him, the joy is in the creation, not in the praise or grades. One day, he decides to enter a story in a local contest. He wins second place, and while he's happy, he realizes it's not as fulfilling as the writing itself was. Sam's true happiness came from the hours spent crafting his story, not from the brief moment of recognition at the award ceremony.

So how can you apply this wisdom? First off, embrace the process. If you're a writer, painter, or any type of creator, dive into your work headfirst and enjoy every minute of it. Don't worry about what others will think. Forget about likes, shares, or awards. Focus on the creation itself. Set small, achievable goals that keep you motivated, but don’t let the thirst for recognition hijack your creativity.

Let's say you're working on a novel, and you're worried about how it will be received. Take a step back. Imagine you're a kid again, writing just for fun. Let yourself get lost in the story. Write because you love your characters, because you love the world you're building, because you have something to say. Imagine the characters as your friends, their adventures as your own. This shift in mindset can make the process much more enjoyable and less stressful.

To wrap this up with a relatable story, think of a group of friends playing a game of pick-up basketball. They’re not playing for trophies or fame. They’re just playing for the love of the game, for the fun of it. Sure, they might keep score, but that’s not why they’re there. They're there for the thrill of the play, the camaraderie, and the joy of the game itself. Writing—or any creative endeavor—should be approached the same way. Enjoy the game. The fun is in the playing, not the scoreboard.

Just remember, the true reward lies in the act of creation. So pick up that pen, that brush, or that basketball, and lose yourself in the moment. The recognition? That’s just the cherry on top.