What is a life well lived?

What does a life well lived mean to you?

To me, I think a life well lived means having no to little regrets. And even if one failed in life somehow, they at least tried and in that sense they have no regrets.

Also, I believe having positive impact on others, and contributed in some way, also reflects a life well lived. I think this can be achieved through family, friends, and a meaningful career (not a regular corporate job, but jobs where you serve others).

Ultimately, a life well lived may come down to number of connections/relationships and quality of those relationships. We need to have good relationships with God, ourselves, and with others. However, past a certain number of connections/relationships, I don't think more means better.

I hesitated to put down church work here. I do believe people involved with church can add meaning to their lives to qualify under "life well lived", but I think it also depends on the type of church work. If it is a case of connecting with people, then yes. However, if it is certain types of volunteering (such as mundane work, admin work, setting up tables, creating care packages etc.), personally I am not sure if this adds to "life well lived" even though this is necessary work.

Adding to what you wrote, which i agree with would be :

Having Christ and peace with you on a daily basis despite challenges you may face.

Not mine!!!

I fully concur with your estimation.

It would be sad to come to the end of your life regretting all of the opportunities to serve God in regard to the least of your brothers and sisters that were squandered. It would be a sad realization knowing God appointed another to take your place because you were unwilling to play your assigned role due to selfishness or fear.

I think about this a lot. Well, enough thinking - time for action.

A life lived in vital, ongoing, personal relationship with the Father by way of Jesus the Christ.

"The purpose of man is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever." Westminster Short Catechism

O God, be Thou exalted over my possessions. Nothing of earth’s treasures seem dear unto me if only thou art glorified in my life. Be Thou exalted over my friendships. I am determined that Thou shalt be above all, though I must stand deserted and alone in the midst of the earth. Be Thou exalted above my comforts. Though it means the loss of bodily comforts and the carrying of heavy crosses, I shall keep my vow made this day before Thee. Be Thou exalted over my reputation. Make me ambitious to please Thee even if as a result I must sink into obscurity and my name be forgotten as a dream. Rise, O Lord into Thy proper place of honor, above my ambitions, above my likes and dislikes, above my family, my health and even my life itself. Let me decrease that Thou mayest increase, let me sink that Thou mayest rise above. Ride forth upon me as thou didst ride into Jerusalem mounted upon the humble little beast, a colt, the foal of an ass, and let me hear the children cry to Thee, “Hosanna in the highest”.

A. W. Tozer

I'm not saying I make it.

They say nobody lies on his deathbed wishing he had spent more time at the office.

It seems to me the best thing to do is to figure out what people DO wish they had spent more time doing. Then do those things.

The Bible says a lot about wasted lives, and it uses rather harsh terms for it.

If the salt doesn't taste salty anymore, it's good for nothing except to be thrown out and walked on.

If the tree doesn't bear any fruit, cut it down. Why is it taking up space in God's field?

A life well lived will have a good effect in the area where it was lived. People around that life will be better for that life having been there.

I think about this question sometimes because, apart from work and other stuff like chores, I have a lot of free hours. I usually do things to just relax (which is Biblical in its own way, to rest), like reading or watching shows.

All great answers. I would think in addition to these one whose life was well lived would have the epitaph of Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7...

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

There is always time to change if you feel that way.

Amen.

When Jesus gives you a crown and says well done good and faithful servant come enter the joy of the Lord