What Constitutes a Good Life?

The ultimate expression of life is not a paycheck. The ultimate expression of life is not a Mercedes. The ultimate expression of life is not a million dollars or a bank account or a home. Here's the ultimate expression of life in my opinion, and that is living the good life. Here's what we must ask constantly, "What for me would be a good life?" And you have to keep going over and over the list. A list including areas such as spirituality, economics, health, relationships and recreation. What would constitute a good life? I've got a short list.

1) Number one, productivity.
You won't be happy if you don't produce. The game of life is not rest. We must rest, but only long enough to gather strength to get back to productivity. What's the reason for the seasons and the seeds, the soil and the sunshine, the rain and the miracle of life? It's to see what you can do with it. To try your hand, other people have tried their hand; here's what they did. You try your hand to see what you can do. So part of life is productivity.

2) Next are good friends.
Friendship is probably the greatest support system in the world. Don't deny yourself the time to develop this support system. Nothing can match it. It's extraordinary in its benefit. Friends are those wonderful people who know all about you and still like you. A few years ago I lost one of my dearest friends. He died at age 53 - heart attack. David is gone, but he was one of my very special friends. I used to say of David that if I was stuck in a foreign jail somewhere accused unduly and if they would allow me one phone call, I would call David. Why? He would come and get me. That's a friend. Somebody who would come and get you. Now we've all got casual friends. And if you called them they would say, "Hey, if you get back, call me we'll have a party." So you've got to have both, real friends and casual friends.

3) Next on the list of a good life is your culture.
Your language, your music, the ceremonies, the traditions, the dress. All of that is so vitally important that you must keep it alive. In fact it is the uniqueness of all of us that when blended together brings vitality, energy, power, influence, uniqueness and rightness to the world.

4) Next is your spirituality.
It helps to form the foundation of the family that builds the nation. And make sure you study, practice and teach. Don't be careless about the spiritual part of your nature, it's what makes us who we are, different from animals, dogs, cats, birds and mice. Spirituality.

5) Next - here's what my parents taught me.
Don't miss anything. Don't miss the game. Don't miss the performance, don't miss the movie, don't miss the show, don't miss the dance. Go to everything you possible can. Buy a ticket to everything you possibly can. Go see everything and experience all you possibly can. This has served me so well to this day. Just before my father died at age 93 if you were to call him at 10:30 or 11:00 at night, he wouldn't be home. He was at the rodeo, he was watching the kids play softball, he was listening to the concert, he was at church, he was somewhere every night.

Live a vital life. Here's one of the reasons why. If you live well, you will earn well. If you live well it will show in your face, it will show in the texture of your voice. There will be something unique and magical about you if you live well. It will infuse not only your personal life but also your business life. And it will give you a vitality nothing else can give.

6) Next are your family and the inner circle.
Invest in them and they'll invest in you. Inspire them and they'll inspire you. With your inner circle take care of the details.

When my father was still alive, I used to call him when I traveled. He'd have breakfast most every morning with the farmers. Little place called The Decoy Inn out in the country where we lived in Southwest Idaho. So Papa would go there and have breakfast and I'd call him just to give him a special day. Now if I was in Israel, I'd have to get up in the middle of the night, but it only took five minutes, ten minutes. So I'd call Papa and they'd bring him the phone. I'd say, "Papa I'm in Israel." He'd say, "Israel! Son, how are things in Israel?" He'd talk real loud so everybody could hear - my son's calling me from Israel. I'd say, "Papa last night they gave me a reception on the rooftop underneath the stars overlooking the Mediterranean." He'd say, "Son, a reception on the rooftop underneath the stars overlooking the Mediterranean." Now everybody knows the story. It only took 5 - 10 minutes, but what a special day for my father, age 93.

If a father walks out of the house and he can still feel his daughter's kiss on his face all day, he's a powerful man. If a husband walks out of the house and he can still feel the imprint of his wife's arms around his body he's invincible all day. It's the special stuff with the inner circle that makes you strong and powerful and influential. So don't miss that opportunity.

Here's the greatest value. The prophet said, "There are many virtues and values, but here's the greatest, one person caring for another." There is no greater value than love. Better to live in a tent on the beach with someone you love than to live in a mansion by yourself. One person caring for another, that's one of life's greatest expressions.

So make sure in your busy day to remember the true purpose and the reasons you do what you do. May you truly live the kind of life that will bring the fruit and rewards that you desire.

To Your Success,

Jim Rohn

Reproduced with permission from Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine. Copyright 2005 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide. To subscribe to Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine, go to http://Jim-Rohn.InspiresYOU.com

---

Change Your Thinking -- Change Your Life!

The only thing in life we have direct control over... Read More

3 Keys to Fulfill Your Wildest Dreams

If you'd like to fulfill your long-held dreams, try a... Read More

How to Find Out What You Want from Life

No matter how young or old you are, you must... Read More

Tools for Constructing the Road to Success

Too many times in the pursuit of our dreams, we... Read More

As Long As You Try Your Best, There Is No Such Thing As Failure

I always say to my children, as long as you... Read More

Finding Your Purpose

What is success? As author and speaker Earl Nightingale said,... Read More

Busy Beavers Build Piles Of Sticks

"Well, you're just a busy beaver, aren't you?" You've either... Read More

I Just Did It!

I succeeded. I achieved my goal. I am successful. I... Read More

The Best Time for Action? No Time Like the Present...

Too often we wait for the 'right time' or 'the... Read More

Accelerated Learning is Profitable

Accelerated learning is not only practical, it is profitable. Acquiring... Read More

Success and Failure: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Failure is GreatYou are probably asking yourself what could be... Read More

The Four Key Traits of Highly Successful People

Recently, I was asked to write a Top 10 list... Read More

12 Tips to Network Your Way to Success

Lots of people network but few reap the rewards of... Read More

The Winning Edge Theory

One of the greatest challenges people face when trying to... Read More

Reach Your Goals - Never Settle For What You Can Currently Imagine

Never settle for what you can currently imagine You are... Read More

Who Makes You Better?

Commit yourself to spending time only with people who are... Read More

10 Compelling Reasons to Stop Singing the Blues

Are you:- feeling unfulfilled and dissatisfied with your life?- ready... Read More

A Century of Hope

What would one initially think about someone who dropped out... Read More

Two Key Success Skills - Take Action Now And Be Bold Enough To Talk

I am writing this article to cement two key success... Read More

How to Use Your Pain to Gain

Pain. All of us have felt that emotion some time... Read More

If NASA Can Launch The Space Shuttle, Then You Can Become A Successnaut

The recent mission of the space shuttle Discovery is NASA's... Read More

3 Powerful Tips to Help You Have Your Best Year Ever

Here are 3 powerful steps you can take to free... Read More

Dare to Dream...and Dream Big

Dare to Dream~It is said that every person has at... Read More

Work Life Balance: Work Life a Balancing Act

Australians are loosing their laidback, carefree reputation, as we continue... Read More

Fallen Ladders Dont Matter

We own a home on the island of Puerto Rico... Read More

Its Your World--Own It

Hello,You are reading this article because you are one of... Read More

Powering Up Your SUCCESS Mechanisms!

An effective self- concept generates the desire to strive for... Read More

Success Lessons From Marathons - Start Slow And Get Slower But Make Sure You Finish

A good laugh can help in a difficult or tough... Read More

How To Begin Your Journey To Success

Becoming successful requires a lifestyle change. It requires that you... Read More

The Circular Blame Game

Mike, his feet dangling above the city, opened his lunch... Read More

Reading For Success

We live in the information age, dominated by the development... Read More

Build Rapport Through Buzzwords

What if I told you that you could be more... Read More

Reach Your Goals - Progressive Goal Party

Hold a "progressive" goal party If you have a group... Read More