What do you believe you need to do to live a good life?
n/t
That entirely depends on each person's definition of "good life". It is also dependant on whether the question refers to 'presently' or an overall rating that could be applied to the life once it is over. I'm going with the former.
To me, living a good life means living in a way that provides one with overall satisfaction and contentment every day. Living with no regrets. I'm proud to report that I have achieved this for myself.
I have had times of pure joy and utter dispair. I have felt true love and unrelenting hate. I have seen birth, I have seen death. I have experienced everything I have ever wanted to experience, good and bad. I have learned from my mistakes and passed on this knowledge to others.
My needs are few and my wants are oft met. My morals are strong and have never been compromised. My achievements are pride-worthy and my goals are realistic. I feel not obligated but priviledged to help others. My loved ones have inspired me and been inspired by me. My experiences have taught me much and have shaped my outlook.
I know contentment. I have no regrets. I live a good life.
I forget who, but there's been a quote I recall from someone who changed my life (possibly Winston Churchill)
"A person reaches contentment in life when he goes to sleep at night knowing he has done what he's wanted."
This quote changed the way I approached life. It made me think that the best way for me to reach happiness was to surround myself and do things that made me happy. I feel good in that I can wake up in the morning looking forward to the day. I enjoy my work, I enjoy my life outside of work, and I enjoy the people I've come to know throughout my life, including all of you.
I know happiness. I have no regrets. I live a good life.
Here's what I think a good life should include in a nutshell:
1. Enjoying life but helping others when you can.
2. Being polite but having your own opinion on things.
3. Making mistakes and learning from those mistakes.
4. Having the courage to do what others would not.
5. Inspiring others around you to good deeds and acts of kindness.
6. Passing on your knowledge to the next generation.
Now I've done many things that I regret, and I've certainly had a lot of despair in my life. But not a day goes by that I wish I was born a different way, or that I was never born at all. And if I was ever given the chance to live my life over again, I would do everything exactly the same way.
All in all, I think I've lived a pretty good life so far, and I can't wait to see what the rest of my life has in store for me.