Day 98: Keeping Up with The Good Life

I think a lot of us picture this idea of The Good Life as one of financial excess and freedom.

We think about celebrities and nice things and houses and traveling and all of these things that are simply that - things.

But that's not what The Good Life is. The Good Life is not Things.

The Good Life is a mindset, a perspective. Interestingly enough, it can in fact lead to all of the "things" our culture attributes to this label. Yet these are mere side effects, not the intent or goal.

I think about the first episode I watched of The Kardashians, my new guilty pleasure. Boy, was what I took from it much different than what I expected for a reality show.

What did I see?

Humans.

Underneath all of the fame, money, and curated persona there are real people on the screen - with real insecurities and struggles.

Doesn't matter who you are or what your circumstance, no one is immune to the human experience. And I don't know about you, but my human experience thus far has been far from straight or smooth.

The part that really stood out to me was Kim hosting SNL. This is a Perfect example of an individual navigating how to move forward in a way that serves THEM, rather than defaulting to what 'makes sense' [aka: pleasing others]. 

I think we should all take note. Not because she's famous (love her or hate her), but because she's human and we ALL have, and will continue to encounter, choices of this kind.

Choices to be honest with ourselves and what we really want.

Choices that don't have a guaranteed win or outcome.

Choices to trust in ourselves even if it feels scary or vulnerable.

What if we fail? What if we embarrass ourselves? What if people talk about us?

What if we try? What if we become alive with this new experience? What if we trust ourselves and learn we can fly?

There are two sides to every coin.

And we get to choose which side we work from.

THAT is The Good Life.

Directing your own life with confidence and excitement. Or at least curiosity - no matter how hesitant or fear-tinged it may be.

The Good Life is one in which we are honest with ourselves about what is important to us, what interests us, what makes us come alive, and what we want to bring to this world.

Once we tap into that, there is no limit. Even the sky can't hold us.

"I could have Kanye as the musical guest, that would make the most sense.

... But I kind of want this to be my own thing."

Stop right there, Kim! There's no need to think any further!

You want your chance to try something new. To have an experience of your own.

That's it.

No explanations or justifications are needed.

When we want (from our soul, not our physical senses), we connect to our own path to happiness. To question and deny it, to hide ourselves away or make ourselves small (ie - stay the same), never brings fulfillment. It just perpetuates emptiness and longing, for . . . 'Something.'

Pay attention to the inner wants. They are trying to tell you something.

"Come home to yourself. Your Good Life is waiting."