Defining our own happiness

"When you do something beautiful and nobody noticed, do not be sad. For the sun every morning is a beautiful spectacle and yet most of the audience still sleeps" - John Lennon

We define our own happiness and, therefore, shouldn't need or require anyone else's validation of that what makes us happy. When we do something good and expect to be recognized for it, could that be considered happiness, or is it merely a source of energy for our own ego? True happiness shouldn't need external recognition, only our own.