Daily writing prompt

What are the most important things needed to live a good life?

View all responses

This is one of those obvious answer prompts yet I’m not sure where I’m going with it. Initially I was going to say that health is the number one most important factor for a good life. You know, legs move, arms move, brain works (usually). But then I decided otherwise, because by saying that, I am saying anyone who lives with a chronic illness or some kind of physical limitation is not capable of living a good life and that’s not true at all.

I also thought of money, not as in wealth, but just having enough to pay bills and put food on the table, maybe a bit of fun. But then I thought of people who live on the poverty line or are even homeless, do we say they are not living a good life? Who am I to say that, maybe they are. Some people actually choose life on the streets. They might be just as happy as I am.

Having loved ones, family, friends and relationships in one’s life can contribute to happiness but is that to say that people who live a solitary existence cannot or should not consider their lives full? I highly doubt it. Relationships can be great but they can also be trouble and cause significant stress and problems for someone.

Honestly I think the one thing that tips the scales the most, is one’s attitude towards life. You can have everything and appreciate nothing. You can have the life some people can only dream of and still find things to complain about. You can be surrounded by loved ones and solid relationships and still feel unsatisfied and searching for more.

Some people have very little to their name and live on food stamps yet internally their flame burns so bright. They are thankful for each bite of food, the roof over their head at night and the fact that they wake up each day. These people exist. I think that’s something to strive for, that attitude.