Jan 02

Living a Good Life

Posted in Perspective · Self Improvement | Email This Post Email This Post | by James Rick

What is the Key to Living a Good Life?

It’s not in achievement – which means honor and praise or self congratulations. A good life is measured in terms of how well aligned you are with aiding the universe in its evolution (value). Change is essential and you are essential part of that change. Where you position yourself greatly determines your “happiness” in the process. Happiness is universal feedback for doing what you are meant to do. The origin of that meaning is from the source of the universe – the same source from which you have come.

When you go to sleep at night – what urges you to sleep? Surely not yourself. No – its the body returning home. It yearns for it. Never is the pull towards the source as great as it is when you are tired. This is your evidence that such a force exists. You will feel this force once more when you have transitioned through the body to another plane – a restoration after a journey through the Earthly plane. Whether this description is from your fantasies or an actual description of events is no matter. The point is this: there is a force that draws you towards the source in both your sleeping and waking. In sleep it is the inevitable tiredness that draws you to the source. And in waking it is the fulfillment you feel in doing work that you were destined to do. Anything less than that is resistance and struggle. This is already know.

So the first characteristic of a good life is character – a personal constitution of:

  • Values &
  • Virtues

The definition of values are the things which you prioritize above all others as worthy of preservation of pursuit. The definition of virtue is principles of behavior (deeds) that bring about greater goodness and happiness in your life and the lives of others. Not for any other purpose but as an obligation for being – in being part of the whole you are obligated towards the whole. This is your service towards all life that in the grandest view is service to your self.

Examples of Values:

  • Time
  • Energy
  • Knowledge
  • Connection
  • Wealth

Example of Virtues:

  • Confidence / Boldness
  • Self-control / Discipline
  • Peace
  • Loving
  • Happiness
  • Patience
  • Positivity
  • Zest
  • Passion
  • Playful

FULL POTENTIAL ACTION STEPS:
#1 Determine what your highest values are – these can easily be determined based on where you’re willing to invest the majority of your time, energy and other life resources without feeling guilty.
#2 Set goals based on your highest values. For example when I discovered that Time is one of my highest values I immediately began making sure I invested it in the best manner possible. For me this meant to be as present as possible, to avoid arguments or conflict and create as many enjoyable moments as possible. The point: through identifying your highest values you can then set up goals around them. Contrary to popular belief, goals don’t have to be for “things” but rather – for experiences in alignment with your values.
#3 Determine what virtues you want to cultivate as part of your character. These can easily be determined based on the behaviors you feel will bring the greatest goodness to you and to others.
#4: Determine at least one behavior for each virtue.
Align your daily behaviors with your virtues. For example when I discovered that self-control is high on my list of virtues I began to notice the times I lost control and took steps to strengthen my self control so I lived true to this virtue. There’s two points here – (1) You must have a track. (2) Noticing when you’ve gone off track so you can make corrections. (Don’t get frustrated with yourself during this process, the act of “aligning” means you’re off track most of the time.)

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