Fandango’s Provocative Question #52: What does living “the good life” mean to you? Do you think that you’re living “the good life”?

I am definitely leading the good life. I am retired so most days I don’t have to get up early to go somewhere. I live in a senior community where everyone is friendly and I am involved in a lot of activities, such as art classes, photography club, choir, Great Decisions group, etc. I don’t have to cook because meals are provided, and a cleaning lady comes every week and even changes our sheets, taking the dirty ones to launder them and return the next week. My husband, Dale, and I were able to move here because we had the money – it is not cheap to live here! While they are currently frozen, the two ponds on campus harbor wildlife such as swans and ducks, and a blue heron drops by once in awhile! In the spring and summer, the residents can plant flower and vegetable gardens.
I am living the good life because I have investment funds that are easy to access, and I use these funds to pay for trips that we take a couple times per year. I just booked a trip to the Amazon for the end of next year! I will probably book another trip in between soon.

I am living the good life because I have a husband whom I love and he loves me. We’ve been married for 24 years!

I am living the good life because I have a loving family that has always supported each other. One of my sisters and her husband live right here in the same senior community, so we see each other often! I love family gatherings because it gives me the opportunity to see and catch up with family members I don’t get to see as often. Combining this and my previous point, my brother arranged for us to have a family reunion in France last June to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day, a campaign my father witnessed and was indirectly involved in.

I am living the good life because I can pursue hobbies such as art, photography and writing, which I am good enough at to be satisfied with. I like myself now, too, in other ways – my creativity, compassion and intelligence most of all.

I am living the good life because I can still get around easily – I can walk without assistance, climb stairs, dance, and drive. I am able to use all my five senses. I am somewhat overweight, but I am not obese. I have access to good health care. This doesn’t mean I have no health issues – I do, but so far I have been able to live a “normal” life physically in spite of them. I can even eat chocolate every day if I don’t overdo it!

I live the good life also because I live in a country that has good sanitation, clean water (most places, anyway), parks and other green spaces, decent roads, a diverse, multicultural population, and reasonably good services. There are many things that could be better – that everyone, such as people with little income, would have all the things that they need and some of what they want; that we would have better and more efficient public transportation; that health care would be accessible to all; that we would have caring politicians in office that are forward-looking; that we had laws to restrict the accumulation and use of guns; that we would be transitioning to renewable energy; and other problems. I live the good life in the USA because I have enough money, that’s the truth of it.

I know that I am lucky to have a good family, enough money to do the things we want to do (while we are not wealthy, we have enough to make us happy), and to live in a community with a beautiful campus and friendly people. I count my blessings and say prayers of gratitude, although not often enough! I appreciate what I have and know that I am luckier than most people, though.

I live the good life because I do have everything I need and much of what I want.

Note: The last two photos were downloaded from Google and Bing.