"To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women."

Obviously.

But really, what is best in life, and something that is connected to all the good paths?

I try to distill, to simplify for myself the challenges of my life. There are so many ideologies, religions, moral codes.. Loads of ways to view and make your way through life.

Only my opinion, but if you take a look at your life and boil it down, I wager it will be very simple.

Gratitude.

We all lead intricate and complicated lives. If you have someone or something to be grateful for, and from whom/which you can feel gratitude, everything else will fall into place. After that, read the Stoics, brah

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder:

But really, what is best in life, and something that is connected to all the good paths?

I like the words of someone way wiser than me.

Strive to be satisfied, not “happy”.

Takes a lot more awareness of who you are and where you are, but really being satisfied is so much more realistic and ind the end result more fulfilling than the constant seeking for “happiness” I see touted today.

Bill R
(ps I do not have n instagram account, am not an “Influencer”, and offer no insight as to your personal growth from anything posted, stated, or inferred herewith, thank you for your judicious consideration, but acknowledge your assumption of any attempt as assuming an online posting of “wisdom” as being utterly and completely within your own bounds of cultural and legal boundaries.)

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder:...

Gratitude.

Yes.

quote:

Originally posted by stylophiles:

I like the words of someone way wiser than me.

Strive to be satisfied, not “happy”.

Exactly. But this is what I mean by focusing on gratitude. You don't have to "strive" to appreciate someone else... you do it, and it becomes an upward spiral.

What was impressed upon me is I think similar. Appreciate what you have. Maybe the same as being thankful for what you have.

No it is not gratitude.

As an orphan from a mud puddle of a country, adopted by the greatest country in history, who spend the majority of my life in service to this country in every shit hole around the world...no it is not gratitude.

Gratitude is Starbucks. Means nothing.

Humility in Christ, humility to our fellow man and understanding the joy in the journey...this is the best in life.

In my view, gratitude is only one of several precursors of what is best in life - contentment. You can be grateful but still not be content. But when you’re content, it’s impossible to not also be grateful.

Being content means you are whole and complete, without a sense of lack or a need to fill a void.

The precursors to contentment are:

1. Gratitude and mindfulness. Appreciating what you have rather than focusing on what you lack. Focusing on the present and being thankful for it.

2. Acceptance and realistic expectations. Accepting your circumstances, your limitations, and the things you cannot control along with having realistic expectations for yourself and your life prevents the disappointment and frustration of your life not being something else. There are circumstances and personal limitations that no rational person would be or should be grateful for but is within the ability of a person to reconcile and accept.

3. Inner peace and simplicity. Focusing on internal values and finding satisfaction from within, rather than from external validation or material possessions and a lifestyle of simplicity allows you to enjoy the “little things” and being full in the absence of excess.

4. Meaning and purpose. When your life has a direction and you are contributing to something larger than yourself, it gives you a sense of fulfillment and contentment.

5. Strong relationships. Humans are social beings, and nurturing relationships with friends, family, and a community provides a sense of belonging and support that is essential for well-being. These connections can be a source of deep joy and a buffer against life's challenges.

When you have all of the above, you have the best of life - contentment.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Rey HRH,

Gratitude, yes. Connection also.

I came here to say contentment, but Rey HRH beat me to it and explained it far more eloquently than I could.

Knowing your purpose in life/why you are here. For me, it is explained in the book of Colossians 1:16 “ all things were created through him and for him.” “Him” referring to Christ. Once you know why you are here, the rest is downhill.

quote:

Originally posted by sooma:
Humility in Christ, humility to our fellow man and understanding the joy in the journey...this is the best in life.

This, and the love of a dog.

Achieving your potential - whatever that might be.

Inner peace.

Words are a funny thing. A single word can be interpreted many different ways. I understand what arcwelder is saying.

To me it's what I felt earlier today. It's a cool morning, the sun is shining, there is a little mist in the woods below and I have a hot cup of coffee in my hands. I am grateful to see another day and realize that I am so very fortunate to have comfort, love and peace in my little part of the world. Gratitude would apply to this feeling.

When I was 5 years old we had 3 fuzzy channels on the black and white TV. Party line phone. And honestly I don't think we are any happier today than we were then.

For me, it is the complete internalization of my own mortality.

Its stunning how freeing that was.

Since I accepted my inevitable demise I no longer care about opinions and people I find odious and I am more than willing to tell them what I think. If they don't like it, fuck them.

Jesus in my heart. That feeling I get when I pray and the comfort of knowing he is waiting for me. I am blessed.

As for material things, a box of puppies, beagles for me.

I thought this article was appropriate to post here.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/...esY%2BCv5JLKJDi94%3D

7 Little Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently

From planning get-togethers with friends to following through on promises to yourself, creating a happy life is well within your grasp.

I’ve been blessed to see many happy, successful people up close. Definitions of success vary wildly, but they’re all people who largely seem to be getting what they want out of life.

I’ve also met quite a few struggling people. Many of them are great folks, but for one reason or another, they can’t seem to figure life out. They’re always getting in their own way.

What’s interesting is how easy it is to spot important differences between these two groups and how they live. Differences that I’m sure are causal in creating a better life.

How do I know? One reason is that every time I’ve had the chance to witness someone turn their life around, I see a number of habits that go hand-in-hand. Every time I’ve pulled myself out of a long funk, it involves returning to some of these very same practices.

None of these practices or habits are esoteric knowledge. They’re the same pieces of wisdom that people have been passing along to those they love for generations.

The reason I’m taking the time to write them down is that many of us need to hear these lessons again and again before they stick. All it takes is for a message to reach you at just the right moment, and your path can be changed forever.

I recently came out of a period of low motivation that I had felt stuck in for half a year. What got me out was going on a daily one-mile run. I spent so much effort trying to figure out why I felt like I did, when all I really needed was to move my body more.

Sometimes we need to be reminded of an old truth we may have forgotten.

I hope something in this list sparks a positive change in your life.

7 Little Things Happy, Successful People Do

You can do these things too—I hope something in this list of things happy people do sparks a positive change in your life.
Happy people:
1. Savor Ordinary Experiences

The other day, I looked out my window and saw all four of my children bouncing on the trampoline together. It was a sweet moment for me to see them so full of joy. If you can cultivate a mind that is grateful for such ordinary pleasures, your life will never feel empty.
2. Seek Out Community and Plan Get-Togethers

A few good friends in my life taught me this lesson through their example. Rather than saying things like “let’s get together” or “we should do something,” they actually create a plan and make it happen. These friends are invaluable, and the good news is that you can become that friend yourself and make your little community a happier place.
3. Live With Contentment and Avoid Comparison

Some people have a healthy level of ambition, while others are restless and never satisfied with anything. While the happy, successful people I know have an inner drive to make things better, they seem deeply happy in their own skin. It’s as if they’ve decided to play their own game well and not worry about what game others have decided to play.

4. Keep Promises They Make to Themselves

One of the best decisions I ever made in life was trying out for my high-school cross-country team. It was a competitive team that eventually had me running up to 70 miles in a week for training. The big lesson I took from the miles was how transformative self-discipline could be. In a few short years, I transformed myself into a different person by simply keeping the promises I made to myself each day.
5. Follow Through With Plans

While the stereotypical image of a happy person might be someone who is carefree and goes with the flow, my experience has been a little different. The happy people I know are fun to be around, sure, but they are serious people. They make plans and they execute them. It’s this aspect that gives their life structure and purpose, enabling them to achieve the goals they set out for themselves.
6. Consider Others’ Feelings

We should treat people well because it’s the right thing to do. An added benefit is that it makes you a more likable person. Treating people well goes a long way in life. When you treat others well, they want to return the favor. By taking a little bit of energy to consider the feelings of others, you are increasing your surface area for good things to happen.

7. Make Exercise Non-Negotiable

There are a few people I know who have a good life but aren’t taking care of themselves with regular exercise. Regular exercise might be the highest return on investment activity you can do for yourself. When people ask me for advice, I usually say that if you’re not exercising regularly, it’s the first change you should make before anything else. Start breaking a sweat daily, and many of your problems may melt away, revealing a happier you.

A common theme from my time in the Marines was that we leave things better than we found them.

I’ve tried to live my life by that. I have three wonderful and successful children. Each enjoy happiness in the little things.

I’m convinced through that and that alone I will leave this place better than I found it. Anything else will just be icing on the cake.

The love of my family, especially my child.