What is a well-lived life?
My view of a well-lived life is centered
on relationships. I feel like me doing good for others and making a difference
in others lives is how I could measure my success. I want my loved ones to
succeed, and I want to support them as best as they can to help them in their
success. I feel like if I facilitated happiness in others then my life is a
success. On a personal level, I feel like I need to gain education and
knowledge and the pursuit of experiences. I want to travel, I want to be a
life-long learner and I want to improve my life through experiences and others
lives through my help and presence. I honestly do not know what I would like to
do with regards to career, I have far too many interests, I think, to chose one
and stick with it for life. I feel like I will probably have several careers
with side jobs/passion projects. I think that I cannot be fulfilled entirely by
a career, but I feel like my chosen vocation can fill an intellectual or usefulness
hole for a time. As for money, I want enough to do the things I love with the
people I love. I want enough to cover my home, my bills, and my experiences. I
will be happy is I have just enough to cover all of these things, but if/when I
have to sacrifice in any of the necessary or preferred areas then my whole life
is skewed.
I think my core values are kindness, helping
others, and understanding people as they are. I feel it is important to attempt
to know people in their own context, and to help them when you can. I do not
think any specific religious group has the 100% truth, or the key to these
values. I actually think all religions are valid in some way and I appreciate
and enjoy learning about them. I just love to learn and love to experience
other cultures, I seek experiences that teach me new things and let me
experience something out of the “ordinary” American life.
My priorities at this point are to
complete my education (but I know myself well enough to realize that I probably
will never feel satisfied with my level of education and will either pursue
higher degrees, multiple degrees or continuously take courses as long as I
live), my family and my friends. I desperately crave adventure and to travel,
but this is not possible at present and therefore it is not a top priority, yet
at the same time I feel such a hole in my life because I am missing this facet.
I cannot feel completely fulfilled without all of my core needs being met
(love, acceptance, experiences, helping others and learning), and as of late
they are stifled in some ways. I plan to have a good enough career that
fulfills me in the mean time so that I can maintain equilibrium in
responsibilities and passions. I know that the higher degree I obtain the more
money I am likely to make, and I also love learning and would happily continue
to gain degrees. Of course, I would love to have excess money and be able to
share my wealth, or else to donate to people with less than I have. Money is
not the goal, but what I can do with it is most important. I am focusing on
getting the money so that all of my other goals can fall into place.