The Good Life

What is a good life?
We enter a small, crowed dive bar in Chicago where we meet up with Socrates and a two of his closest friends. There is Glen, a local football hero, and Jimmy, a pastor. Both men have joined Socrates at the local bar for their usual Sunday afternoon discussions. Recently Glen was signed to play for the Chicago Bears next year and wants to celebrate. He feels that life that life could not get any better and wants to share his success with his two friends. Socrates, Glen, and Jimmy sit at their usual table and begin talking and celebrating. When Jimmy asks, “So Glen are you living the good life now?” Socrates being a philosopher then asks Glen and Jimmy “Well what is a good life?” We enter their conversation that has just begun while they are ordering their Surely Temples for the evening.
Socrates: Well gentlemen, what is a good life?
Jimmy: No, no, no. You naïve young man, the way to a good life starts with family, friends, living with no regrets, and loving everybody.
Socrates: Jim, elaborate why are family, friends, and loving everybody important?
Jimmy: Well, I get a sense of worth from my family, when I can help my friends it makes me useful to people, living without regrets gives me happiness, and learning to love everyone causes me less stress.
Glen: Hey now! I am not looking to be used by anybody. I was merely suggesting with my new monetary gain. I can help out my family and friends with their bills and be able to give to charities, like Brett Farve, you know?
Socrates: Really? But in giving to all of those people you in turn will gain many new “friends” looking for help. And in a way, to feel validated you want to be used. Look at Jim, he wants to spend his life helping people more emotionally. But in offering more help those people Jim wants to help, will want to use him as well.
Jimmy: Well now that you mention it I kind of have been used by some of the people in the Church. In offering to volunteer it has... [continues]

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