Formula for a Good Life
by Ron Kurtus (revised 4 February 2005)
There are basic facts concerning your life, such as the fact that you are on this Earth for a limited time, you have been given a certain body and mind, and you have been placed in certain circumstances. From these facts, we can establish principles or a formula for a good life, which is always seek things to appreciate, meet your challenges, and enjoy the adventure.
Questions you may have include:
- What are the basic facts of life?
- What principles can be derived from those facts?
- What are the benefits of following this formula?
This lesson will answer those questions.
Basic facts
The basic facts about life determine your starting point. That starting point can be right now.
Limited time
You have been placed on this Earth for a limited time.
Won't live forever
Young people feel that they will live forever. The fact that we all are on this Earth for only a limited time usually doesn't sink in until a person reaches middle or even old age.
Realize and take advantage
Realizing that your time is limited should point you toward taking advantage of this opportunity of life.
Body and mind
You have been given a certain body and mind.
Not a perfect body
You are given a body that is less than perfect. Some people are even handicapped or may have ailments that may shorten their lives.
Not a perfect mind
You also have a mind with certain capabilities. Part of this includes your personality and the various characteristics that you may have.
Accept and overcome
Accepting what you are given and trying to overcome the obstacles, handicaps and challenges your body and mind provides you gives you meaning in life.
Circumstances
You are placed in certain circumstances.
Affects opportunities
The circumstances you are born in can affect your health, ideas and opportunity to grow. Some are born into a wealthy, loving family. Some are born in poverty or in a war-torn country.
Struggle to improve
Rising above your circumstances is an important, but difficult, task. It is part of the struggle to survive and a motivating factor in life.
Principles for a better life
By considering the basic facts that apply to every person on this planet, a belief system to get the most out of your life can be established. The principles promoted by the School for Champions for getting the most out of the opportunity of life are that you should:
- Appreciate what you have
- Meet your challenges
- Enjoy the adventure of life
1. Appreciate what you have
No matter how long your life on Earth is, what type of body and mind you have and what your environment or situation is, you should appreciate what you have.
You should not expect more, although you can hope for more. Look at what you have and be grateful. Count your blessings.
It is like the saying: "I was unhappy, because I had no shoes... until I saw a person with no feet." Appreciate what you have.
To whom should you be grateful? Follow your own spiritual or religious beliefs.
2. Meet your challenges
Life is full of challenges. Having a goal to overcome a challenge is what makes life worthwhile. Look at your problems as challenges to overcome.
Physical challenges
A person may be physically handicapped. You can overcome the challenge if you try or at least make the best of the situation.
In the 1920s, two college-educated men in New York were crippled by polio, unable to walk and doomed to life in a wheelchair.
In 1932, one of those men sat in his wheelchair on a New York City street corner, begging for dimes.
In 1932, the other man was elected President of the United States. He was Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Circumstantial challenges
You can be living in poverty or in a dysfunctional family. These are challenges to overcome. Many a successful person started in poverty, only to rise to a position of prominence.
Try to improve your circumstances.
3. Enjoy the adventure
Life is a journey. It is a series of experiences. It can be an adventure. Accept the good with the bad and enjoy the whole adventure.
- Take care of yourself and enjoy good health.
- Be fascinated and enjoy learning as much as you can about this world and life. Be knowledgeable about things.
- Have fun doing things, do them well and be proud of it.
- Help others get what they want, and you will get what you want. Be valuable to them.
- Be known as an honest, forthright person and reap the rewards.
Always celebrate your achievements and congratulate the winner. Be a Champion!
Benefits
When you appreciate things, your eyes open up to possibilities and opportunities. You also can enjoy what you have and make the most of it.
Then as you see problems and negative situations that may harm you or hold you back, you can look at them as challenges to meet and overcome. Having the right attitude will help bring success.
Celebrate and enjoy every success and achievement you have. Enjoy the people around you. Savor life and the adventures you experience.
Summary
We are here for a limited time, so we should take advantage of the experience. The way to a good life is to: seek things to appreciate, meet your challenges, and enjoy the adventure. Following this formula will give you more joy and meaning in life.
A good life is much better than a bad one
Resources and references
The following resources provide information on this subject.
Websites
Books
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Top-rated books on Success in Life
Students and researchers
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www.school-for-champions.com/life/
formula_for_a_good_life.htm
Please include it as a link on your website or as a reference in your report, document, or thesis.
Where are you now?
Formula for a Good Life