What is the " Good Life" and how do you live it??

Question

This is kind of a loaded question I know, but I'm just curious about the opinions you guys have and how it relates to your faith/beliefs/religion. Last semester I took a philosophy class and the main question we looked at was, how do you live the 'good life.' I found an answer that works for me but I'm just curious to see how you all would answer.

Please also state you religion, denomination, or faith.

Thanks!! God Bless!

Extra question: Do you think worship is an important factor in living the good life?
Do you agree with this statement?
We were made to worship. And we try to satisfy our hearts thirst and hunger with cheep imitations. A man becomes like that which he worships. (The root of worship, in days gone past, literally meant putting worth on something. Old English: weorth, worthy, worth + -shipe -ship). He who worships food is called a glutton. He who worships money is characterized by greed. He who worships himself is a solipsist and a miserable person with whom to associate. We were made to worship but it is what we worship that defines us. A man who worships work becomes driven by his work, and becomes a useless husband and father. The woman who worships the idea of romance is characterized by rushing from one unfulfilling relationship to another. Such people are plagued by an emptyness, and their quest for more leads only to disappointment.

Answer 1

The good life is one led by Jesus Christ, our Lord & Savior. Without Him, there is no point of purpose to our being on this earth. To go about it..?... Let HIM direct your paths, seek HIS name in all you do--- THAT, is the 'good life'.

Answer 2

Must be a common question for philosophy courses (I had to write a paper on the same topic when I was in school a few years ago!). The "good life," in my opinion, is whatever makes you happy. If you are a multi-millionaire, with seven houses across the globe, a private jet, other people might think you are living "the good life." But behind the scenes, you may have inherited the money from your wealthy father, who you loved more than anything in the world when he died, and you are now in a deep state of depression over his death. Your wife may have left you because you were too emotionally distant, and your world, which looks great from the outside, could be falling to pieces. Meanwhile, a lower-middle class family, that doesn't have a proverbial pot, but has each other's support, encouragement and close relationships is really living the "Good Life." You may also want to explore the difference between, "A good life," and "the Good Life." Good luck!!!

Answer 3

sorry i know it's really long!

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be careful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata
oh, btw, i'm jewish, max was xtian still this poem kinda covers "everything" i have the poster in my kitchen!

Answer 4

Of course the only way to live the 'good life' is to live our lives having a relationship with God, our Creator, and to live in accord with God's will for us, and to apply God's standards to our lives as well as we humanly can.

However the Apostle Paul spoke of the 'real life' and he is speaking of the life under God's Kingdom, with Jesus as Ruler, of which the foundation is now being set...

1 Timothy 6: 17-21: "Give orders to those who are rich in the present system of things not to be high-minded, and to rest their hope, not on uncertain riches, but on God, who furnishes us all things richly for our enjoyment; 18 to work at good, to be rich in fine works, to be liberal, ready to share, 19 safely treasuring up for themselves a fine foundation for the future, in order that they may get a firm hold on the real life.
20 O Timothy, guard what is laid up in trust with you, turning away from the empty speeches that violate what is holy and from the contradictions of the falsely called “knowledge.” 21 For making a show of such [knowledge] some have deviated from the faith."

I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses

Answer 5

I'm atheist... Not too long ago I was ortodox... Faith is something fragile.... I lost it... I haven't found the "good life" yet. Maybe , one day. Good life would be some little satisfaction every day and hapiness seen in small things... I don't see that in anything...

And you could mail me your answer if you want...

Answer 6

life is what you make of it..it you choose wrong you will get the effect of it , if you choose to live good and do good you will get the effect of it, I believe that Jesus is the son of God ...and I am for all that is right and against all that is of wrong, God bless the USA and Israel and All..

Answer 7

Good life is when you dont take things too seriously and have a little fun. Taoist, a form of Paganism.

Answer 8

I'm Lutheran.... the good life is all about "money" If you have it you don't need it...and if you need it you don't have it. I don't care what anyone says, money is everything in this world. I sure wish I could get some more of it.

Answer 9

i believe that the "good life" can be achieved by being in a happy and content state of mind throughout life, where you are happy with yourself and others around you, and you rejoice in the great privilege of being human.
i am a wiccan :)

Answer 10

When you feel that you are important in a sense that you are making a positive difference around you then you can consider your life a good life (IMHO).