You might not make it to the top, but if you are doing what you love, there is much more happiness there than being rich or famous.
Interpretation
Pursuing what you love brings more joy than wealth or fame.
Tony Hawk emphasizes that the true essence of happiness lies not in achieving wealth or fame, but in engaging in activities and passions that one genuinely loves. He suggests that the fulfillment and joy derived from doing what you love far outweigh the superficial benefits of popularity or fortune.
In practice
In a motivational speech about pursuing your dreams.
The pro skaters I know are responsible members of society. Many of them are fathers, homeowners, world travelers and successful entrepreneurs. Their hairdos and tattoos are simply part of our culture, even when they raise eyebrows during PTA meetings.
I believe that people should take pride in what they do, even if it is scorned or misunderstood by the public at large.
If I can stand up when I'm 80, I'll be happy to cruise around on a skateboard. If I feel like my skills are fading, I just won't do it publicly.
When I started skating, it was such a small community. You didn't aspire to be rich or famous or make a career out of it because that wasn't something anyone had done yet.
I consider skateboarding an art form, a lifestyle and a sport. 'Action sport' would be the least offensive categorization.
My definition of success is doing what you love. I feel many people do things because they feel they have to, and are hesitant to risk following their passion.
unbroken happiness is a bore: it should have ups and downs.
Today be happy with what you have - not discontent with what you don't have.
You get to a certain age where you prepare yourself for happiness. Sometimes you never remember to actually get happy.
Joy is that kind of happiness that does not depend on what happens.
I always have a football handy at home, and I'll play with it. Sometimes it'll get on my wife's nerves. But the moment I've got a ball at my feet, I'm happy.
If you practice gratitude a little, your life will change a little. If you practice gratitude a lot every day, your life will change dramatically and in ways that you can hardly imagine.
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