A Good Life?
Being a child of the 70’s when I think of the ‘a good life’ I think about this series from the BBC (see above) but this was a very different direction from the reflections I was asked to engage with on the Breakthrough Digital Bootcamp, which I began this week. [Follow their CEO Sobanan to find out more.]
What does ‘a good life mean to me? As a child a good life would be one where I felt seen and heard — this isn’t to say that my parents didn’t do this but I knew I was different. I even had fantasies that I was adopted because I felt so odd, but you just have to look at me to see the family resemblances and if you listen, at times, I sound like my dad and my brother (however much I’d like to dispute that!) This desire to be known developed into a dream of being famous — a Blue Peter presenter no less. I even used to practice making things in front of mirror, like I was doing a piece to camera!
Time moved on and I transferred that desire into a teaching career. For 25 years I tried to ensure that children in my schools were seen and heard. I also went on a journey of self-discovery, accepting myself as a gay man (I also use the term queer). That journey is another story.
Nearly two years ago, I left teaching and now, after a bit of reconstruction and self-care, I find myself living with my elderly parents, unemployed, trying to pivot into a new career. I am hoping that this course with Breakthrough will aid this pivot.
So, back to the question, what is ‘A Good Life’? For me personally, that would be finding a job and having my own place. It would be a life that is still making a difference, helping others to achieve more and for them to recognise their potential — being seen and heard again! I’d also like to travel more (finally I’ll be able to holiday during term time!) and I want to make meaningful connections with people — thankfully, I have a few of those that have weathered the storm and there are newer friends with whom the connections are strengthening.
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In relation to the course, Breakthrough focused on what a good life digitally would look like. They came up with this definition:
‘Using technology to build happiness, stay connected, and create fair chances for everyone.’
I can get on board with this!
They unpacked this further by saying there were 3 pillars that a good life should be built on: Health, Wealth and Love.
Health related to physical and mental wellbeing, for me this would include our spirit/soul — the essence of who we are. Ensuring these are healthy is important because they interact and effect each other. I think we are three-part beings and when each part is balanced means that we have good health. For so long I denied the essence of who I was and my physical and mental health suffered, I’m still working through the impact of this even today.
Wealth relates, in part to finance, to our earnings, managing our money and making it grow. But wealth is more than assets and a healthy bank balance. Wealth relates to our interactions with the world around us, some could call this spiritual. It is to be found in recognising the wealth in our relationships, the beauty of nature and in the joy of giving.
Doing something for yourself gives motivation but doing something for others gives meaning.
~Maxime Lagacé
Then we come to Love. A simple word in English but used to mean so much in many different contexts. The focus here is our connections with other people. For me, this means having people I can be my authentic self with. It is also about loving yourself. I write this on Valentine’s Day and I’m single, this has been the case for many years. Previously this would have been a day I ignored or lamented, but today I choose to love myself, with all my mistakes and flaws but also with all my uniqueness. My faith also reminds me to try to live a life of love. For me this means showing kindness, being inclusive and expansive in my thinking, my actions and my reactions.
Interested in learning more, follow me and look out for further posts as I journey through this course but also as I transition from ‘my old life’ to something new.
