John Lennon didn’t only learn how to make great music, he discovered an important life-secret too. Here is what he discovered.
What John Lennon discovered
For those of you who follow my blog you know that I’m passionate about what’s important in life. As part of my research I spend time reading about people who inspire me. Today, I read about John Lennon and I found a quote he made more than 30 years ago. I absolutely love it:
When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.
– John Lennon
The five-year-old John Lennon said what he did because he had discovered something important: How you feel matters.
What is a good life to you?
John Lennon believed living a good life meant “being happy”. I agree, however I would say:
“A good life is to spend your time interacting with the world in a way that gives you meaning and positive feelings, without causing harm.”
Think about those key words for a moment:
Time, interacting, meaning, positive feelings, no harm.
Which of those could you live without and what words would you add to your definition of a good life?
A step towards a good life
The most popular post here on RethinkingTruth is the one I referred to above, The Four Most Important Things In Life. If you’re interested in living a good life, or if you just want to help others I recommend that you check out that post and then do some thinking :)
Cheers,
Bjarte
NB: I’ve borrowed the John Lennon picture from here. Thanks.
To be loved and feeling loved in return makes me happy. It does not have to be romantic love but also love from children, animals and to see someone smile because of something I said<3
Birgitta, thanks for sharing.
A life without love certainly isn’t a good one and as this post is about John Lennon he’d say “All you need is love” :)
I experience happiness within myself. The more I quietly wish to find more happiness, in other words meditate, the more happiness and love I find flowing through me. I’m an old man now and when I remember all of my different gains and losses, the only lasting benefit is the love, gratitude and happiness that I feel radiate from within my heart. So, yes feeling is important to me.
Lovely words Nate, thanks for sharing.
I hope you don’t mind me asking: How old are you and do you have any advice for how to remember to focus on gratitude?
I am happiest on my internal happiness gauge when I create something, when I understand intended symbolism, when I solve a difficult puzzle, when I make a positive contribution to someone, when I complete a task, when someone I mentor is successful on their own, when I see any and all children under 1.5 years and on every payday.
I can relate to what you’re saying Puttenham. Nice to hear that making a positive contribution to others is something you value.
What do you mean by “understannd intended symbolism”? That was an interesting comment. :)
Bjarte
did Nate ever answer you?
Hi Bjarte,
One of the best quotes by anyone…“All you need is Love”
It has always amazed me how just a few simple words can be so powerful in their meaning. It’s also amazing that some people don’t get it. However, in real life, most people do. Just take a close look at all the people you interact with and I think you’ll agree. Most people understand Love and know how important it is to feel Love and to share Love. I know this is true. I see Love in people’s eyes every day. I’ll admit, that even I don’t show Love through action as often as I could. But, at least its there. Now and then, a chance meeting of someone I know, or even may not know real well comes about. We talk for a while, exchanging ideas, our beliefs, or just sharing our feelings. Without knowing or saying it, we have shared Love between each other. I believe this happens to most of us every day. We just don’t quite look at it that way. It’s still Love though. Yeah! “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one”
BTW, Bjarte…How do you pronounce your name?
Well said man :-) It’s a nice song too!
John Lennon
His Imagine song says it all…
” nothing to live or die for…and no religion to….” etc etc…