Sorry about the hiatus folks. As they say I’ve been off living ‘My Best Life’
I was recently emotionally struck by the ending to the sitcom ‘The Good Place’. Now, no I am not confused. I don’t mean the old British sitcom with Richard Briers, Felicity Kendal, and Penelope Keith ‘The Good Life’ I mean the American Sitcom from Netflix ‘The Good Place’. The series explores what happens to us after we die. It’s a great, lighthearted look at heaven and hell. As ROSE GRACELING-MOORE says “It wasn't just high concept comedy, it was a show that showed everyone how to live a happier life, and create their own 'good place'.”
But how did the main characters figure it out? How did they create ‘a good place’? That is something I think we are all looking for, right? Well, as Eleanor one of the main characters recalls in a poignant reflection about humanity:
“Every human is a little bit sad all the time because you know you’re going to die. But that knowledge is what gives life meaning.”
Thus, it is not “more joy”, but meaning that is missing to make our own paradise here on earth.
So, what gives your life meaning?
“Sometimes, when you’re feeling helpless, the secret is to help someone else. Get out of your own head. Trust me. The next time someone asks for help, say yes.” – Michael
In the show they talk about how to do this, whether it’s being kind (It’s the small gestures that count), helping others, stopping comparing yourself or enjoying the little things in life.
One of my favorites, realized in the show, was about having a life stuffed with learning. Often my thirst for learning, knowledge and understanding keeps me going, moving forward. It plays to my curious and open-minded nature. I am amazed daily, and this makes me smile. But it’s something that Chidi, another character in the show said that I think will resonates with us all…
“Time. That’s what the Good Place really is. It’s not even a place, really. It’s just having enough time with the people you love.” – Chidi
This time of year is packed with enforced days off from the working week. Easter, May Day, Whit Monday. (This year we even have an extra day to celebrate the Queens Jubilee.) So, I’ve used this time to evaluate the kind of ‘Good Life’ I want to create now, today. No, don’t get carried away, I’ve not been off buying chickens, setting up an allotment, planting Lettuce and brewing my own elderflower gin. Can you imagine that! Not that might be your thing, but it’s not mine. No, I’ve been off with the people I love doing the things that make me happy.
Why does it take a bank holiday to force us to ‘live life’?
Why not decide what those things are that give your life meaning and spend more time doing them today, tomorrow, every day.
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