The Good Life

The good life

We all want to live a good life. If I was asked, what are the 'things' associated with a good life, I would easily come up with several things; looking good, health, a well paying job, house, car, relationships, fame, etc. But, if I were asked what is a good life, I would not be so sure. On my quest to answer this question, I have found the 'things' or societal indices associated with a good life to be 'goods of fortune'. Goods of fortune are based on chance and some of us may not be 'fortunate' enough. However, a Good life is not based on chance and is possible for each one of us. It's a tall task but I will try to make my point in this blog post.  

Goods of Fortune

When I take a look at the things around me, I feel very lucky. Just look at the way I started my day; warm home, soft bed, hot coffee, conversations and breakfast with my family, and a hot shower. I have a home, a job, money, safety and insurance. I take these things for granted. I am an average human in the western world but I live a life that even the wealthiest of the past could not imagine. I do understand that even today, not everyone is  fortunate to have these 'luxuries'. But it is easy to conclude that because of these luxuries, the humans today have a good life. I can't imagine a life without these goods of fortune, as a good life. If I am right, then a good life is only for a few lucky ones.  

Our role  

What is my role in life? I started asking myself this question very recently. First and foremost, I see myself as a family man and so I decided that my role was to provide for them and set them up with security. But this is not considered an achievement, it's my duty, the most basic of tasks. My responsibility toward myself and my family is not an aspiration it's just Life. For a good life, I have to do more. Maybe I should provide them with all the luxuries. Large house with a pool, German cars, foreign vacations, private schooling, the works. As a physician, I see that all around me, it's what is expected. How can I deny my family these luxuries? All I have to do is work longer hours, see more patients, and do more procedures. All along, I also get to treat patients, so that is the best of both worlds. Making money while making a difference.  

Smoke and mirrors

Plato said, "To know the difference between good and evil is the best fruit in the tree of knowledge." 

I look at that statement and think that I have the ability to differentiate between good and bad, who doesn't? That's why I chose such a noble profession. I am going to leave you to decide if I am right (hint: medicare fraud, health care corporations, insurance companies, unequal access to healthcare). I work in a system that is for profit, 'not for profit' is only for tax purposes. Healthcare for profit, is concerned about the bottom line, and not about the physician or the patient. The longer hours, more patients, more procedures, primarily serve the insured. Longer work hours may pay better and offer more luxuries but keep me away from my family. Luxuries may lead to debt which may lead to worry and stress that may further lead to bad relationships with myself and others. Is satisfying wants, while working in healthcare a good life? It's not that easy to differentiate good from bad or evil, is it?

Socrates said, "No man wants to do evil, they all want to do good. They just don't know what they are doing is evil."

Worthy of a good life.

How does one understand good and bad? I came across this answer through the Great Conversation. I came to understand that some goods of fortune do make my life pleasant. Financial, family and physical wellbeing are important for a good life but even if I have all three, I may not be worthy of a good life. The fourth and most important requirement for a good life is purpose. Purpose is a series of goals that are achieved for the sake of others only, not for self. 'Others' means beyond me and my family. Humans were always meant to have purpose, that's how we became the most successful animal on this planet. We lived for each other. With modernization, we are becoming more isolated and more self absorbed. I never understood the concept of purpose. I felt a medical life was a life of purpose. But I was wrong, I don't work for free, on the contrary I am well paid for my expertise. That is not purpose, that is just living. There are several remarkable people who have found purpose; Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and others. Yes! goods of fortune, financial, family and physical wellbeing are indicators of a good life but only purpose will make me worthy of living a good life.  

Purpose.

I am trying to enlist others and I am trying to be a catalyst for others in this pursuit of purpose. I can only aspire to the greatness of the examples that I gave. Even if I can be a shadow of them, I may be worthy of a good life. If not, I hope that I may be able to pass on this pursuit of purpose to my children. To be worthy of a good live, having this sense of purpose ranks higher than any goods of fortune that they could inherit from me.