How to Live a Great Life
March 9, 20205 MinutesAs the saying goes, nothing in life is certain but death and taxes. Though death may be the only true certainty; with a good attorney, even taxes may be off the table now.
But there is a consolation prize to knowing that death is guaranteed: there is no need to ever waste a moment of time or worry about that which you have zero control over. Death has been a guarantee since the day you were born. Hopefully, we can all delay the “when” part, but there’s no need to worry about death. Instead, it’s best to focus on life. And that brings up a lot of big, truly important questions.
• Does anyone really know why we are here?
• What are we supposed to do as a human race?
• What am I supposed to do as a person?
• What is supposed to be my personal contribution?
• Why are most of us forgotten after a few generations?
• How do I find the answers to these questions?
Everyone has an opinion. Maybe some of you more enlightened gents have some answers to these questions. I want to hear them.
Another important question is What makes a great life? According to the book “The Ten Golden Rules on Living the Good Life” there are 10 things you can do to have one.
1. Examine and engage life, use your mind and search for new pleasures.
2. Worry about what you can control.
3. Treasure your friendships.
4. Experience true, simple and calming pleasures.
5. Master yourself in thoughts and actions.
6. Avoid excess and live life in balance.
7. Be a responsible person, be honest, and keep a good spiritual connection.
8. Whatever your prosperity is, use it wisely.
9. Don’t do evil to others; there’s a boomerang effect to everything.
10. Express kindness as much as possible.
Those 10 sure sound good to me. But after giving it some thought, I have a few ideas of my own to add:
1. Don’t worry about death. There’s nothing you can do about it; it’s guaranteed to happen to everyone.
2. Focus all your attention on what you can do each day to make your life and the lives of those around you just a touch better. You will be so filled with positive thoughts and feelings that you won’t have time to worry about much of anything.
3. Try to put in your calendar at least one thing you love to do each day or each week. Having fun and laughing a lot is critical to a happy life. If you can plan a weekend away every 4 months, even if it’s close to home, you’ll still doing something fun and different. Personally, I love to have events coming up as much as possible. This way I’m always excited about something in my immediate future.
Okay guys, whaddaya think?
Have you had a similar experience? Can you relate? Share your thoughts, your stories, your questions and advice so we can all learn from one another and make better decisions. Plus, you’ll get some huge karma points for doing so.
Have a great day and a great life.
Larry Bryan
A regular guy, another opinion.℠
#ARGANO
Wonderful article. I agree there is little nothing that one can actually control. Your days can be up at anytime. Be sure of this. I would like an additional word that has been left nearly forgotten from the American lexicon: Virtue.
To my fellow men, especially the youth, there is one thing you actually can control and that is the integrity of one’s word. If you say your going to do something, do it! If you say you mean something. Mean it! If you believe you a kind person. Make certain your actions follow suit. No excuses, no rationalizations. No telling yourself nonsense to justify your position. A Kind person is Kind. A forgiving person IS forgiving. not sometimes. Not when it suites one’s needs. all the time. If you think you can’t meet an expectation don’t accept the terms. Be Honest.
So, what exactly does that mean? It is not nearly as simple as it appears. On hand it can be as simple as meeting an appointment at the required time. But the idea of virtue is one that requires much study. I requires one the chose their words carefully. And when you say words such as Love and Forgiveness the notion of virtue becomes quite a powerful and admirable trait for all men. Mean what you say. Don’t just say it. And certain your words are consistent with your actions.
This takes practice especially if one is not used to keeping their word. It requires understanding what the words being spoken mean. And what they were intended to mean. In closing I will say this; along with the inevitability death and taxes another saying comes to mind. One has two ears and one mouth perhaps this is so as to listen twice.