Blog 1: The Good Life

The idea of “the good life” has been tormenting me for at least the last three years. Now, we all go to a Christian university, but there are a wide variety of beliefs here, and even amongst people of the same denomination who subscribe to the same religious dogma there will be different definition of what “the good life” really means. This seemingly lofty and idealistic question actually carries a lot of weight and has very important practical implications to our daily living. I have spent many moons brooding in my armchair on how I can live a good life, one that I am proud of and that was worth living. I know many others have drawn this conclusion as well, but I don’t think that there exists such a thing as “The good life.” No single, universal definition will suffice. Rather, I think that it is possible to live “A good life,” which will look different for each person.

I have to agree with Socrates when he says, “the unexamined life is not worth living.” If a man (or woman) goes through their life and never asks questions, acting solely on impulse, then they have missed the whole point and deprived themselves from living a life that has deeper meaning. Some might say that this is idealistic, maybe even unrealistic, but I say that our ability to ask questions is the one thing that separates us from all other animals. I think that it’s not just our right, but our responsibility to ask the hard questions, because it’s up to us to help understand this life and make this world a better place.

My beliefs aside, my idea of the good life has also been profoundly impacted by the life of Jesus. A huge way we interact with the world around us is through our relationships, and I think that Jesus’ example of unconditional love is the best template for how we should treat others, and how we can live a life that will bring happiness to ourselves and those around us.

Finally, I think that a good life is one in which we are free to be individuals. Like I said, there are billions of definitions of the good life. If we are all stuck here trying to live out our idea to the best of our abilities, we must be able to do as we see fit and, within reason, be tolerant of others trying to do the same.

I believe one lives a good life and a meaningful life through loving others, self-understanding, and doing something that they feel betters the world in which we all live.