Living well
People often consider material goods.
But I argue that most people living in middle-income USA are already materially rich when compared to the rest of the world.
Indeed, they have access to things that the richest people in the past did not have access to.
Does that mean that everything is okay? No.
Lives still need improvement. Opportunities should be increased. There are still unjust systems in place.
But my question is:
What does it mean to live well?
I contend that living well consists of a few things
- material goods
- food
- water
- shelter
- freedom of time
- physical health
- mental health
- emotional health
- security
- opportunity to pursue interests and express onself
- social cohesion
- laughter
- social interconnectedness
- feeling of contribution
- feeling of belonging
- love
- joy
- happiness
- peace
Consider how these things are all just small parts of a larger whole. A good life.
Thoughts spurred by this website:
https://www.gapminder.org/dollar-street