Boost your life by answering the question of all questions

The question:  How can one know they are living their best life?

Oscar Wilde, Aristotle, Buddah and Jesus weighed in.

Many have studied and followed these guides.

They offer different advice for . . .

• love
• work
• suffering
• death

So, choose wisely or the result can be disastrous.

The most popular humanities course at Yale University explores them and others in a class entitled, “Life Worth Living.”  Multiple professors teach it.

They compare how the great philosophies answer this question, How can one know they are living their best life? What makes life worth living?  What’s worth pursuing?  Is what we desire worth it?  How does one know they are on the best track to flourish?

The answer begins with another question.

Who do you answer to?

Oscar Wilde’s answer to the question

Oscar Wilde says, “myself.” All out pleasure baby!  Pleasure all the way!

A talented playright, Wilde spent many days not working, much less, having balance.

He burnt away time running loose with his lover around . . .

• music festivals
• three hour lunches
• countless bottles of champagne

“I filled my life to the very brim with wine.”  Oscar Wilde

But, his carelessness led him to jail. Ouch!

Behind bars, Wilde wrote De Profundis, where he mused over a return to the free world of sensible rather than “senseless” pleasures.

He doesn’t regret pleasure except that he didn’t prepare for sorrow.

And sorrow, he says, is “the supreme emotion” mankind lives in.

“The secret of life is suffering.  It is what is behind everything.” Oscar Wilde

The good life, according to Wilde, embraces sorrow. He labels sorrow “wonderful.”

Not enjoyable, but wonderful because a good life includes a lot of pain.

But, there are other opinions.

Aristotle’s answer to the question

One word captures Aristotle’s view. Eudaimonia. Flourishing.

“Best,” for Aristotle is not just activity, but “external goods.”

• Friends
• Prestige
• Money

These are the proper tools for flourishing activity. The best life.

Aristotle believes a virtuous person is limited without the resources.

In short, the philosopher thinks the good life is virtuous activity aided by a . . .

• hearty family
• noble reputation
• lots of free time

But, how does this aid purpose, suffering and death?

Buddha’s answer to the question

The big B essentially says, Detach from the beauty and attractions of the flesh and the world. 

That way you won’t be disappointed when you suffer and die.

Be indifferent to happiness and suffering. 

Meditate yourself away from worldly attractions. 

Don’t invest in pleasure and you won’t invest in pain. 

Buddhists call this enlightenment.

Sound good to you?  Not me.

Might as well not be born.

Jesus’ answer to the question

A wealthy man approached Jesus to ask the question.

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Mark 10:17-21

By “eternal life,” the man is asking for a flourishing life.

Jesus loved him and answered his question with one word.

“Give,” said Jesus. Don’t focus on gorging (Wilde), getting (Aristotle) or detaching (Buddah).

Give and watch the benefits. A servant invites success all around.

“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” Luke 6:38

A servant attitude in family, work and community invites all kinds of flourishing.

Eternal life and no regrets ever.

So, what’s the answer? Pleasure, resources, detachment or giving?