The Art of Living Right: Beyond Right & Wrong

"The purpose of our lives is to be happy." - Dalai Lama XIV

This quote emphasizes that happiness and well-being should be the ultimate goal in life rather than focusing solely on being right or wrong. The focus should be on living a fulfilling, meaningful life that brings joy, which is the true art of living right.

Life is a journey that we all embark on. It is a journey filled with ups and downs, twists and turns, and moments of joy and sorrow. But despite all of the challenges we face in life, it is a journey worth taking. One of the most important lessons we can learn from life is that it is not about being right or wrong but about living right.

This idea of living right has been backed by numerous studies, which have shown that happiness and well-being are not necessarily correlated with being right or wrong, but with how we choose to live our lives. For example, a study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Riverside[i] found that people who are more focused on achieving happiness and personal growth are generally more satisfied with their lives, even if they make mistakes or face challenges along the way.

Another study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania[ii] found that people who are more concerned with living a meaningful and fulfilling life are generally more satisfied and content, regardless of whether they are successful or not. The researchers found that people with a sense of purpose and engaged in activities that align with their values and beliefs tend to experience higher levels of happiness and well-being.

These findings suggest that the key to living a fulfilling and satisfying life is not about being right or wrong but about focusing on what is important to us and what gives our lives meaning. When we live according to our values and beliefs, we are more likely to feel fulfilled and happy, regardless of the challenges we face along the way.

Living right also involves being kind and compassionate towards ourselves and others. It means recognizing that we all make mistakes and cab learn and grow from our experiences. When we are kind and compassionate towards ourselves, we are less likely to feel overwhelmed or defeated by our mistakes and more likely to learn from them and move forward.

Similarly, when we are kind and compassionate towards others, we are more likely to create positive relationships and build a supportive network of friends and family. This, in turn, can profoundly impact our happiness and well-being, as social support has been shown to be a critical factor in our overall happiness and well-being.

In conclusion, life is not about being right or wrong but about living right. It means focusing on what is essential to us, being kind and compassionate towards ourselves and others, and living by our values and beliefs. By doing so, we can create a life that is fulfilling, meaningful, and full of joy and happiness. So, instead of striving to be right or perfect, let us strive to live right and make the most of every moment we have.

[i] Lyubomirsky, S., King, L., & Diener, E. (2005). The benefits of frequent positive affect: Does happiness lead to success? Psychological Bulletin, 131(6), 803-855. [ii] Damon, W., & Learner, R. (Eds.). (2006). Handbook of child psychology: Vol. 1. Theoretical models of human development (6th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.