Good And Bad Of It

I am now a little cautious about answering  WP  prompts because  of their intrusive nature.

However, this one piqued my interest as well as curiosity.   I was curious  how to define “good life”.

The definition  can differ from individual to individual. For some good can be equivalent to lavish. For some it can be merely comfortable or just being  contented.

For a decent life fulfillment of the basics – food, clothing and shelter- is essential.

For fulfilling the basics adequate amount of money  is required.

Here  “adequate” is again  relative. For some  that much amount of money may be necessary by which  day to day businesses of life can be carried out without any hassle or hamper.

Again day to day businesses are individual specific. I guess the bottom line is when one does not have to think about how to meet ends the day next.

But as one is satisfied with the basics attention is diverted towards achieving the next higher need. There is no end to “what next”. The graph can soar up and up till one says “bas, no more.” But do humans ever say that ?

There is no capping on self actualisation. At this point the level of contentment ushers in. How far is your contentedness stretchable ?

For some it can be just sky gazing or reading or singing or painting or sculpting. Finding oneself in activities to which one is inclined.

For some the same process may involve buying a yacht, collecting rare art and antiquities, going on an expensive cruise and many more extravagant indulgences.

So, where can the full stop be put. Today I may regard a minimalist life rewarding. Tomorrow my desires can envelope me. I may hanker  after owing a Ferrari. Perceived happiness is not static. What gives me pleasure today may have  marginal utility tomorrow.

The rudimentary requirements of life are intrinsically modest. But human need and greed are ever expanding. As long as we do not feel the urge to stop there is no end to the rat race of acquiring..

So, coming back to the prompt. For me  “good life”  is a life of health, happiness and higher pursuits.

Well being implies that me and my family should be happy, healthy and available for each other in all times.

No life is exigency free. Therefore, one should be well equipped to meet all emergent situations without worrying what’s going to happen tomorrow.

Last but not the least, is investing time for higher thoughts for rightful alignment of body, mind and soul through prayer, introspection and awareness.

I guess I can call my life good if I remain blessed with my loving and caring family, have adequate resources to meet the exigencies of life and take out time to seek divine blessings for what I have got and what I have not.

Yes, you heard me right. What is not there can also go a long way to up the feel good factor in life.

Food for thought.