How do you live a good life? There is no answer. If you ask anyone, they might tell their experience. But they don’t know either. Modern life is more complex and random. The more we plan, the more we are not ready to face the randomness that life might throw at us. This is living a good life essay.
Then how do you live a good life? Yes, I can tell you some ideas, some rules. But after all, these are my own reflections, but not the only way to live a good life.
To live a good life, you must first live it, you must experience it, you must feel it. I guess that’s the number one rule.
But seriously, what else?
Gratitude
Always be grateful for what you have. Life is in the present moment. Not in the past or future. It’s futile to contemplate about past or future. So why not be grateful to what you have, instead of thinking what you could have had or what you want in future.
“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” ~Epictetus
Find the truth
Finding the truth about anything is not easy. But do not judge things as good or bad or left or right. Modern technology feeds us with news continuously. First, to live a happy life, do not watch news. Second, find the truth on your own. Don’t trust anyone.
Critical thinking is a skill. And it can be learned. If you simply ask a question about every information you read on internet, you will be able to find the source of information.
Dichotomy of events
Focus on what you can control or what you can do. If somebody says something to you, you do not have to get flustered. Well, it’s easy to say. To avoid losing your peace of mind, practice of dichotomy of events. If someone steals your wallet, you can be sad for a moment, you can be mad. But that won’t give you your wallet back. Instead, focus on going to police station and registering a complaint about it. Either life happens to you or you take control of your things in your life.
Perception is everything
Generally, we are not affected by external events, but by the perception of those events. We create an image, a thought about external events. If someone says something to you, you create a perception of those said things and let them affect you.
“We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.” ~Epictetus
Practice deliberately
Pick up a skill and practice it for fun. OR find a hobby that you enjoy anytime. Practice that hobby. If you can find happiness in a hobby or a skill, especially if it is not dependent on external things, then you can find centeredness with that skill or hobby. Practice the skill or hobby deliberately. It can be anything, but find within yourself. Self esteem is internal, pride is external.
Conclusion
Do you have your own rules to live a good life? Share them in comments.
On another note, you can check my upcoming novel “The Songs of Farewell“.