Ten Rules for a Good Life
Improving Myself One Day at a Time
Estimated reading time: 1 minute, 49 seconds
Instead of making resolutions, let us strive to improve ourselves every day and become the best version of ourselves. In August, Arthur C. Brooks wrote an essay about Aristotle’s 10 Rules for a Good Life in The Atlantic. Despite being proposed over 2,000 years ago, these virtues can still guide us to live well today.
In addition, Mr. Brooks has “A Guide to Pointing Yourself Toward Happiness.” You can flip the cards for advice every day in January. I have been doing this for years, and it has helped me stay focused and happy despite life’s challenges, including being a widow.
You can read the full article on the ten rules for a good life online by subscribing to the Atlantic or opening this PDF. Mr. Brooks has also provided an abbreviated list that you can easily refer to by placing it on your fridge or at the bottom of your computer screen.
- Name your fears and face them.
- Know your appetites and control them.
- Be neither a cheapskate nor a spendthrift.
- Give as generously as you can.
- Focus more on the transcendent; disregard the trivial.
- True strength is a controlled temper.
- Never lie, especially to yourself.
- Stop struggling for your fair share.
- Forgive others and forbear their weaknesses.
- Define your morality; live up to it, even in private.
Becoming the best version of oneself is a noble goal that requires time, effort, and dedication. It may not always be easy to follow rules and turn them into habits, but the reward of experiencing happiness is worth it. Even if we occasionally falter, our commitment to making these habits a part of our lives will help us achieve our aspirations and become the best version of ourselves.
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Looking ahead to the future, I feel a sense of liberation as I break free from the walls that have held me back, knowing that I am becoming the best version of myself. As the board chair of Bridges, I am excited to play my part, Tikun Olam, in repairing the world and contributing to ending homelessness.
Walking and Reading Daily!
Improving Myself One Day at a Time
Estimated reading time: 1 minute, 49 seconds
I follow a set of routines. Since my wife passed away, two habits that have been particularly important for me are walking and reading. They have become an essential part of my daily life and have helped me maintain a sense of balance and structure amidst the chaos of everyday life.
