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Not surprisingly, this golden mean became a popular idea, especially among rich. It was just what they wanted to hear! Remember that majority of Aristotle's students were wealthy--who else had time to study philosophy all day? Aristotle himself ended up being handsomely paid--especially for a philosopher!
Aristotle had his work cut out for him trying to remain moral while becoming wealthy. His most famous student, classic overachiever Alexander Great, clearly never got point about moderation. Aristotle's emphasis on golden mean got lost in all excitement about pursuing whatever you like.
Hmmmm. Sounds a lot like modern life, doesn't it?
What kind of life would Aristotle suggest we live in midst of all stuff of 21st century? What does moderation mean now?
Wealthy people are not necessarily more or less moral than anyone else, but they ARE tested more than rest of us. They have means to live an excessive lifestyle if they choose to do so. If you live large, your morality--or lack thereof--is magnified for world to see. Add a dash of celebrity and a stint on TV, and you start serving as some sort of example.
This is where we get confused between "a good life" and "the good life".
We're fascinated by choices people make when they have ability to live any way they choose. We read magazines featuring photographs of celebrities in their homes. We watch television shows that give us tours of properties owned by billionaires. We're both fascinated and repelled by reality shows that offer riches to those who manipulate others.
Why? It's because we're curious about choices made, and we wonder what we would do given same set of circumstances.
Seeing homes, furnishings, and cars gives us an idea of what is valued by individual. We watch because we wonder what choices we would make if we had same bank account. Would we be extravagant? Would we live simply? Would we be tacky or tasteful? Would we horrify neighbors or build a better community? Would our children be kind, compassionate, and generous, or would they be self-centered brats with a huge sense of entitlement?
Would we be like Sting--or Ozzy Osbourne? Would we have daughters like Sofia Coppola--or Paris Hilton?
Most of us have the, uh, good fortune of not being tempted to live without limits. Without being fully tested, we don't really know how we'd fare in a world of big money and bigger visibility.
The wonderful thing about living a good life is that it is possible to do it at any economic level. You can live a good life in poverty or wealth. Though we tend to think it's a lot easier to be an excellent human when we have sufficient funds in bank, both versions--rich and poor--come with plenty of challenges.
It's tempting to put off becoming your best self until you believe you have financial support to do it. "I'll be generous once I get to top," you think. "I'll be kinder when I'm not so stressed." "I'll give back to community when I retire."
There's no dollar amount that precludes or guarantees a good life, and there's no reason to postpone your own greatness. You may win lottery tomorrow, or you may lose everything. Despite any dramatic shifts in your personal fortune, you can live a good life today.
Note and relish your own spontaneous woos on a daily basis, and look for ways to increase and deepen them. Think, be happy, and share that wealth in words, wit, and warmth.
The good life never felt so good.
Maya Talisman Frost is a mind masseuse. Her work has inspired thinkers in over 70 countries around the world. She serves up a satisfying blend of clarity, comfort and comic relief in her free weekly ezine, the Friday Mind Massage. To subscribe, visit http://www.massageyourmind.com.