Thread: What is really the "good life"?

I've been discussing this a little bit with some friends lately, and we can't seem to agree on what "the good life" really is.

On one hand one can say that it of course depends on your background, where you live, rich or poor and so on. On the other hand I think that there is a couple of elements which wil be the same for all of us, regardless of the mentioned. I am certain that if we for instance have a state of "first love", that's the good life no matter what your social status or economical situation may be. My friend doesn't agree with me, so I ask you folks for a couple of more opinions, and see if we get som new light on the matter.

So what is "the good life" to you? Is it totally depending on our material situation, emotional state of mind, or is it something else? (EDIT: Please explain your answer with a little more than a sentence, it's the personal opinion on the subject that makes it interesting!)

Very interesting topic. For me "the good life" is measured by the happiness one has. Which as you suggested will very from person to person. I come from a rather poor family. My father was a baptist minister and my mother didn't work, so we(my 3 siblings and I) had to make do with what he made, which was next to nothing. We had strict rules, many which didn't even make sense with what my parents believed. I felt that people in the church were more likely to lie to me that those I met who had nothing to do with religion. Because of that, the thing I cherish most is true friends. Friends with honesty and integrity that will always be there for you. Material things are nice, but I am satisfied with what I have. Sure if i was wealthier, it would make things simpler, but to me its not the end all.

To me the good life is being surrounded by those that love you, whether it be family, friends or a spouse. This is when you truly are happy and the material things in life loose their meaning.

Kanye West.


For real, the good life is simply your happy with yourself, family, job, friends, your environment.
Everyday you get up and you have your struggles but at the end of the day your happy how life is going for you.
Good life is everyday you have something to smile about and enjoy yourself.
Obviously security in terms of money is important depending how far you willing to go to get it.

i believe there is the good life, there is also a materialistic good life, and there is one where your happy with yourself. You can live all three or which ever you want.

Originally Posted by Logan96

i believe there is the good life, there is also a materialistic good life, and there is one where your happy with yourself. You can live all three or which ever you want.

I'm certain you're right about that, but do we choose to be happy/have a good life, or are we merely the product of the surroundings? Is it possible fore everyone to change thei situation without help form others?
I am surely happy when I'm with my family, and I feel blessed even through really tough times because of them. One of my friend on the other hand have a bankaccount about 10M$ and counting, but with no family at all, not even mum/dad alive. Yet he is always happy with the way life threat him, cause he has come to this whealt through hard work and determination.
My neighbour on the other hand, have a lot of money (more than 5M$ as far as I know) and companies, but he and his wife are always quite inpolite and not very nice people in general.
Money is not the solution to me, but may be to others...?
I also agree with the both of you that friends are quite important to me,

I believe for me and every human on earth a good life would be this. To live safe and healthy you and your family. To be treated fair and equally. To have what you really need like a home and other things. Another thing if you really want happiness try to help others who need help.

Originally Posted by Saam

Another thing if you really want happiness try to help others who need help.

Great contribution to my case. That's actually very true. I feel really good about myself when helping others, and there is not a single time I've done something unselfish for another one in need and later felt bad about it. In that way you can say that maybe the phrase "Do to others the things you want to be done for yourself" is a big part of the good life? Helping others and setting their need in front of your own will indeed give you love in return in the long run, contributing to your quality of life.

Good life is small family, money, job, parents, nice friends, love etc... And, yes Torrent Invites v3 :)

This is a tough question to answer it's like asking "what is the meaning of life?" it is differnt to everyone. The good life for some means getting as much money by any means. For others its friends family having kids. For me Its just enjoying life and being happy. something I have a very good supply in. So I guess what I am trying to say is happiness is in the eye of the beholder.

La Dolce Vita

Great question. What is the good life? Why does the answer sometimes seem elusive? This is all about perspective and not possessions or circumstance. Can a beautiful thing bring great pleasure? Or course it can. But the good life is a way of looking at the world, of being confident in who you are.. of being happy because you give more weight to the positive than the obstacles along the way.

At your core, happiness doesn't find you, you have to resolve to be happy. This is a philosophical viewpoint that often takes a long time to arrive at. But once you seize that perspective, then all of the great things that come into your life; good friends, love, family, opportunity and material wealth only add to and bring into blossom that core happiness. I know very wealthy people that aren't happy and poor ones who are. I won't argue that it wouldn't be a struggle if you were to find yourselves in truly difficult circumstances. But the basic truth is that you are happy from the inside out.

You should be able to sense something of this, even if you aren't sure that you agree with me. This is a large part of charisma. People are drawn to those who shine inside. If you are truly happy, really enjoy life.. people will sense that and be pulled into your life like moths to a flame. Never mind the analogy, I put it there to shake up your perspective. This is a little bit like preaching to the choir. You may not believe me until you reach this conclusion on your own. Then an epiphany and the world is anew and full of possibility.