A Life Well Lived

Most of us spend our lives pursuing something: wealth, power, security, love, purpose, adventure, recognition, peace, or simply enough time with the people who matter. But are the things we chase the same things that ultimately make life feel rich and worthwhile?

What qualities define a good life? Are fulfillment and happiness the same thing? How much do money, status, and achievement matter? Which pursuits leave us with lasting satisfaction, and which simply keep us busy? Looking back on your own experiences, what have you learned about building a life you’d consider "good"?

What messages about "success" did you inherit from your family or culture? Which have you kept, and which have you rejected? Growing up, we’re bombarded with messages about success, which may vary dramatically by social environment. Ideally, growing into ourselves is an ongoing task of culling the messages and values that don’t align with our maturing self and acting on those that do. Has this been a conscious effort for you? What do you need to experience a life well lived? Does the list of needs come from within or are they influenced by our family, friends, culture, or social groups?

Does your definition of a good life change with the “seasons” of life? For each season, what truly contributes to a life well lived? As we grow older, our definition of a "good life" often evolves. Some goals that once seemed essential lose their appeal, while quieter sources of fulfillment—friendship, contribution, gratitude, creativity, or personal growth—gradually take on greater meaning. In the different seasons of life do we live more for the present or for the future?

Which achievements have brought you lasting satisfaction? Which were less meaningful than you expected? How have your life priorities evolved? Were your early achievements a means to an end or an end in themselves? Does the term “A life well lived” apply to all seasons of life or solely the last one or two? To what degree did external circumstances beyond your control determine your life path?

What role do relationships play compared with career, money, or personal accomplishments? If you ask people near the end of their lives what mattered most, relationships almost always rise to the top—not just romantic relationships, but friendships, family, community, and the feeling of belonging. Do you think it's true that success, wealth, and achievement shape the circumstances of our lives, while relationships shape the experience? Can circumstances and experiences be decoupled?

Can someone live a good life without being happy? Or can someone be happy without living a meaningful life?
This is a particularly interesting question—we have to first define what a “meaningful life” entails. Similarly, “happy” can span a multitude of definitions. Is it important to you that your life be both happy and meaningful? What makes your life happy or meaningful?

And finally, if you could give one piece of advice to your younger self about living well, what would it be?