Enjoying the good life

Today was a sunny, snowy Sunday, so I decided it would be a good day for Molly and I to finally check out some trails near our neighborhood.

Molly is a goofy and happy black lab/German shepherd mix who loves to sniff everything.

We were moseying by some bushes when a person walking our way asked, “How old is your dog?”

“Oh, she’s about eight years old,” I replied.

In my head, I’m realizing she’s closer to nine than eight.

“That makes a lot of sense. She’s not like the other rambunctious dogs out here,” he said.

I smiled and replied, “She does get a little excited when she sees other dogs. But overall she’s pretty relaxed.”

“Ah, well she looks like she’s enjoying the good life,” he said.

After that, we went our separate ways. I couldn’t stop smiling thinking about Molly enjoying “the good life.”

I was also reminded that this moment was exactly why we went to the trails today.

It was to enjoy the good life.

The good life — also known as eudaimonia — is a philosophy associated with Aristotle and several other philosophers. It’s described as “happiness” or “living the life one wants to live.” It’s something many of us spend our lives searching for.

I studied eudaimonia for a semester in college. I read all about the different philosophers and their views on finding happiness.

Ultimately what I learned during that semester is summarized in a common quote that goes something like, “Happiness is about the journey, not the destination.”

Just kidding. However, I did interpret happiness as something you don’t arrive at. It’s not a final destination.

Happiness is ambiguous. It’s also a feeling. It’s something some search for while some feel happy every day. I think it means something different to everyone.

Thinking about my dog enjoying the good life made me think about enjoying my life.

I looked up at the clear blue skies, listened to the quiet — despite the quiet whir of city traffic in the background — and felt deeply connected with why we went on a walk today.

This walk was part of enjoying the good life.

I’ve been on a journey lately of finding ways to slow down and enjoy every day without turning rest or fun into an item on my to-do list. It’s easy to speed through the weekends, trying to do all of the things. But I decided today would be different — I would do what I wanted to do before doing what I needed to do (like making a trip to the grocery store).

Our free time can easily fill up with errands, commitments and things we must do. By the time we check them all off, we’re exhausted and barely have enough energy to finish a chapter in that book we’ve been wanting to finish (at least that’s how it usually goes for me).

I’m trying to arrive at a place where rest and fun aren’t things on a list to check off, or a destination I arrive at when I have all of the things done that keep life running.

Enjoying the good life is about enjoying this life. I don’t think the good life is defined by a career or a season. It’s not a “some day” or “maybe tomorrow.” It’s about loosening our grip and letting go a little bit, allowing the good and bad that happens each day to flow by like a kayak on a river.

It’s not always easy, especially when we’re living in a world that tells us to move faster and make the most of our time, so I’m trying to push back by slowing down.

I’d also like to think I’m living the good life right now, even during the days when I feel restless or uncertain.

That’s why I took a walk today. I took a walk to enjoy the good life.