The Quality Of Life

I am sure we hear it very often … the quality of life. People always say that we must strive to have a better quality of life.

So how do you get a better quality of life? Now, one thing for sure is that you have to spend. BUT, there are also things that give you a better quality of life that money CANNOT buy.

And for those that can be bought … it DOES NOT mean that when you spend BIG, spend MORE and spend OFTEN ... then you will get better quality of life than other people who have less.

Quality of life?

What is your idea of a better quality of life?

A big house? Big cars? Expensive taste? Branded luxury items? Exotics holidays? Party at exclusive clubs? Millions in the bank?

Someone told me, that better quality of life means 喝饱吃醉 every day with 大鱼大肉 🐟🦐🦀 and a few bottles of branded whiskies on the table. THAT, they said … is the meaning of better quality of life.

OK, there is no right or wrong, true or false or “must do” and “must not do” here … how one define the qualities of their lives is entirely up to that individual … just live the way you think is best for you.

I live the way I wanted to … the way that I worked so hard to achieve. I think I have very good qualities of life now … some that I managed to build and maintain, some that I can afford and some that I continue to acquire as I live and learn every day.

What are my qualities of life?

Look, it might not be like yours or you may not think this is the quality you wanted but like I said, every individual has their idea of what his/her quality of life should be.

My quality of life is very first my HEALTH … now, for people at my age, don’t fall into the lure of advertising slogans that say your health can be like what you were when you are in your 30s … no, it will not be. It is only natural that you will lose some of your physical and mental abilities when you aged … you cannot change the law of nature. Don’t worry about it if there is no sudden or serious changes.

So what is healthy to me?

At my age, my idea of healthy is be active, be mobile and be alert. I try to be able and capable for as long as I can be. Of course there will be some aches and pains on the joints, muscles and tendons but as long as it is nothing serious or grave … I can still enjoy some activities, light sports and mental engagements.

So, to be active, mobile and alert is one of the better qualities of life.

Next, my home … let me emphasize, MY HOME, not my house ya. My home is where I spent most of my time in. I said this before and I will say it again … it is a place that I want to go back to, AGAIN and AGAIN.

It is where I am very close to my loved ones and yet enjoy the privacy and the retreat when I wanted some time for myself. It is where I feel most comfortable in. It is at my home, where I am most at ease, with those who live and interact with every day.

My home is what make my quality of life better.

My other quality of my life is that I still have ability, the opportunity and the resources TO LEARN.

My interest in Chinese history started many years ago … those days, due to the limitations of books, translations, time and resources … I did not go very far in my research of the vast Chinese history. Now, with the luxury of time, the convenience of the internet and the vast resources of ebooks, online publications as well as media platforms like Youtube, FB and Instagram … I have learned so much and I still have so much more to learn.

I travel not for photos … been to France a few times and I have not got a photo of me at the Eiffel Tower but if you ask me about what I learned about France, I can tell you about Napoleon, the French revolution and the wonderful things I saw in the Louvre museum. As well as the interesting culture that I have learned from asking many ordinary folks about their lives and living in France.

Was in Egypt many years ago … again, I did not play baccarat at Casino Royale but I was down inside one of the chambers of the big pyramid of Giza and was at awe in front of the golden mask of King Tut in Cairo museum. Maybe if the opportunity arise again, I hope to go learn more at the new Grand Egyptian Museum.

I like to learn … as a matter of fact, I just signed up for music lessons. Bought my first Kapok guitar many years ago … but music did not go far beyond that. Now, I am not just trying to play instruments but go further to also learn and understand music, to use music and to make music.

You see, I can still learn … more importantly, there is still so much to learn. From simple things like a new recipe to the mysteries of aliens in the vast universe and galaxies … there are new things, new discoveries, new inventions that I can learn every day. Whether it is history, music, science or mysteries … learning is one way that can definitely improve my quality of life. 

Look, there are other ideas of how to make the quality of my life better … it can in my belief, my understanding, my approach and my thinking. Maybe it is not the same as what other people have in their minds. That is absolutely OK … the objective is the same. We all want a better quality of life … just different ideas and ways of thinking and achieving what and how the quality of life should be.