What defines your Quality of Life?

What defines your Quality of Life?

 When I went to the Socrates Cafe meeting with my father, in January, the topic was Quality of Life. My father was jotting down notes before he spoke and I jotted down for letters, L O V E. My answer was simple. To me no matter where you are, what you have, if you are truly loved and truly love, you have everything you need. I am a student of A Course in Miracles. The introduction states this:

This is a course in miracles. It is a required course. Only the time you take it is voluntary. Free will does not mean that you can establish the curriculum. It means only that you can elect what you want to take at a given time. The course does not aim at teaching the meaning of love, for that is beyond what can be taught. It does aim, however, at removing the blocks to the awareness of love’s presence, which is your natural inheritance. The opposite of love is fear, but what is all-encompassing can have no opposite.

The Course can therefore be summed up very simply in this way

nothing real can be threatened

nothing unreal exists 

Herein lies the peace of God

As a student, I am taught the only answer is love. Everything else is just an illusion. Fear is an illusion. To be happy and to have quality of life is to ultimately be happy.

qual·i·ty of life
noun
the standard of health, comfort, and happiness experienced by an individual or group.
“the things that are needed for a good quality of life”

Being in this meeting, listening to everyone talk, one thing became obvious, everyone’s definition of Quality of Life is different.

Some people feel quality of life is defined by how much money you have, or how many “toys” you can buy. Some people feel that it’s defined by your work accomplishments. Your personal achievements. Your personal gratification. Education, spirituality, family, work, life all or none, what defines your quality of life?

I have multiple sclerosis.  I deal everyday with challenges and frustrations. Everyday I’m faced with symptoms that never go away. I get no reprieve, no break. So where is my quality of life? Love is my quality of life? Love is my spirituality, and spirituality is my quality of life. No I can’t go and do things that others my age can. I can’t run, stroll in a park, browse through a museum, hike up a mountain, parasail, bike ride throughout my neighborhood or take a spin class.  I can’t afford to buy a Porsche and even if I could probably couldn’t drive it for long anyway. I don’t work anymore. None of those things define quality of life for me. My family, friends, dogs and spiritual path define my quality of life. The unconditional love I feel from all of it and the unconditional love I give to all of it. That to me  makes for a good life  I love to love others, to give and to help. It is who I am and who I want to be. That is my definition.

So what is yours?

5 thoughts on “What defines your Quality of Life?

  1. I still here reading ? this blog post of yours ..

    And it seems as if you were echoing my every thoughts..

    I too believe love is the ultimate happiness and joy..
    and if have love..
    Everything else is minimal and everything falls in place..

    I Too have limitations ..
    I really don’t put it out there. Because I feel I don’t need to burden anyone with something way beyond my control .. I love to enjoy life.. and do what I can within my circumstances …

    And I’m so happy to see you enjoying life as is .. regardless of your given condition….

    I can’t do any of those things either..
    but I find I don’t missed doing them too much because I have accepted and adapted my limits..

    Keep on inspiring others with love.. it’s life greatest joy…

    1. Thank you. I just did something not loving but for the love of myself. I sometimes forget that part. I came on saw your comment and just felt a whoosh of relief. I thank you for that. I try to live by my words but I falter every now and then. I just do my best. Thank you for your comment.

  2. Baby.. we all falter along this life journey.. but you have Still a long way to go..
    but you have grasp so much already in your short distance..
    that I know you will be just brilliant.. you are way ahead of understanding and treating life in the right perspectives

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