I tried to answer last night, but all I have right now is my phone, and it won't let me text in the comment block for very long, without some malfunction. Tried 4 times last night before giving up :( So I'll have to wait.
I think a good life, is when one is at peace with themselves, and their world/environment as much as they can be.
And that,in itself, is made up from a multitude of different things.
Inner peace, contentment, the ability to grow and learn constantly,to embrace new experiences and to genuinely enjoy what you do, and have a thirst for living. And these are only some of them.
There is still SO much that I want to see, experience and learn, and be able to share some of these with those I love and care for.
Sharing it can enrichen the experience, give it more depth...especially the more profound ones.
I am going to continue pondering this, but for now my list for a "good life" is....
Passion, and compassion for that which you truly care about.
Open-mindedness and the ability and want, to learn and appreciate new things/experiences .
The ability to love , and be loved.
A job/work that inspires, motivates and challenges.
Good physical and mental health and well-being.
An awareness of self, and others.
The ability to enjoy that which you have.
I also think its important at times, to pause, and just take a moment to appreciate, contemplate and take stock.
Id like the next chapters in my life to be memorable for the positives, for the experiences, and for living it to the absolute fullest that Im able.
I'll post more on this as I think about it.
Nicely put.
You are a fairly optimistic person. Learning that about you has been a pleasant surprise. You are not just optimistic for your own cause only. That has been even more surprising. I think that is where my own answer will start.
The word "connection". I have a longing for that. It is the one thing that I believe will assist me in improving my ability to grow and find more happiness within myself and in my fellow humans. I once wrote a blog post about it way back when. It was mainly about my frustration in dealing with the dissociation that prevents me from feeling connected to other people, and sometimes my own self.
So before I make my list out on what will only end up being theory based- I feel as though establishing a connection with the world around me, and who I am comes first. I feel as though so much gets lost when you make a life of doing only for yourself and thinking that is what survival is. The fittest or be eaten, right? But I can't afford to think like that anymore. It's not working out for me. When times get hard and I feel like I'm sinking; I shut people off- start stealing and lying, and lashing out at anyone who makes me feel they threaten my survival- both mentally and otherwise.
I call it "street kid" mentality. You learn that you have no one in the world to depend on, so you've only got yourself. In thinking you've only got yourself, you detach yourself from the rest of society, and begin to group people into "those who threaten my survival" and "those who will be useful in my survival". I am no longer a kid though. The narcissism I developed and continued to feed in order to make sure I didn't continue to be prey, kept me separated and for a short time in my life- it got me through. Now it's no good. I need to remember that I am apart of this world and what's going on in it. I need to reach out to people who want to be part of the side that desires improvement for more than just themselves, and a minority of people- but for all of us.
I need to have a partner in this life. Someone I'm not trying to destroy or use- or control. Someone who like me- wants to develop a construct between us that build us both up, and those we are responsible for. I don't want to toss my children out there saying: "You're on your own now!" I don't want them to ever feel that way. "Now get out there and try not to get eaten!" I want them to feel like they can depend on me and others out there- as well as themselves. Community should not be seen to me as something that violates my solitude and way of life. Being alone might help me if I plan on staying as I am, and reduces the chances of me having to face who I am when it comes to relationships and hardships, but it also continues to isolate me in a way that for the most part- cultivates self deception and reduces my chances of ever reaching the other goals I have for living what I believe would be my ideal "good life".
So I keep battling with that street kid. It's so hard to change old ways of thinking. Especially when I have managed to make such a mess of my life to this point, and as a result: my plate is way too full. But I'm seeing enough change in the understanding of me- How I think without all the bullshit, and why I do what I do- that I am finally starting to make better decisions for myself. I fall a lot. A fucking lot! Yet I keep practicing because even just the most minor of changes has shown me that I'm capable of it. I think I'm capable of real connections and learning to take a genuine interest in having a relationship with more than just myself. And if I can manage that one component- I believe much of my other goals for living a good life will fall into place much easier than they would without it. I won't have to be a phony, steal, or trample over everyone in my path- because people like me (the less narcissistic me)- will want to come along for the ride and help.