High and Simple Life - Essay Example

High and Simple Life Introduction Human societies have always searched for a good life. Some believe that good life is not all about money and resources; it entails fulfillment and happiness. On the contrary, there is also the belief that a good life comprises of advanced technology, upward social mobility, and availability of resources, political influence and acquisition of wealth. Those who do not believe in the power of money argue that happiness resides in the life of simplicity; one does not seek to have influence or acquire wealth. A simple life finds its joy through connection with nature and serving other people with a clean heart that is free from feelings of hatred and the tendencies of selfishness and corruption. This paper is based on the argument that high life is better than simple life because the high status gives people the freedom to choose everything in life. Discussion A wealthy town life involving accumulation of money and resources is better than a simple life. People in the high life status enjoy the freedom of choice in all aspects of life. One can choose where to live, how to live, with whom to live, what to eat, what to wear, what to drive, among other requirements of modern life. Having the freedom to make choices makes one powerful on their own rights and able to enjoy life to the fullest. In other words, simple life may just come automatically because it is controlled by the natural course of events. However, high life comes at a price. In the article, the author refers to a Sears advert campaign that informs the consumer about the “good life at a good price, guaranteed,” that Sears offers. This implies that no good life will come without incurring a monetary cost. Good life comes with good clothing, appliances and other elements that help to shape the outward appearance (Japp & Japp 544). Nature is the sole source of a good life. It is the nature that gives space for golf courses, vacations, playgrounds, dancing halls, among others. Nature also gives the materials necessary to build better houses and acquire all the necessary elements that are necessary for a good life full of fulfillment and happiness. Nature is treated like a sustainable resource that must be utilized and mined in order for good things to be acquired. In other words, in order for human desires to be attained, nature must be conquered and exploited in all ways possible. Technology, which is another important aspect of human pleasure, has also developed from nature (Japp & Japp 540). Man uses nature as a basic raw material to acquire the commodities necessary to lead a comfortable life. Therefore, nature brings the connection between high and simple life. If one has to acquire a high life, he or she must rely on the basics of simple life, which are defined by nature. It is the capability to mine and utilize the resources that come with nature that one’s life transforms from simple to high status. What this implies is that a high social and economic status not only gives one the freedom to choose how to utilize wealth but also how to acquire wealth from nature. Those in simple life do not have the freedom to utilize the resources that come with nature. After all, utilization of these resources requires one to have already accumulated resources. If one has the freedom and the ability to utilize everything that nature comes with, then he or she would be considered happy and attaining self-fulfillment. In the high life status, one does not live to desire and dream about a good future because a good life is already there in the present as long as one can utilize the natural resources. Making a choice is the best opportunity one can have in life. People in high living standards have enough money and more options to choose from. These people are not likely to be dragged by the contemporary society into; instead, they are likely to do what they want and influence others on the same. This statement can also be supported from the current nature of American politics. The rich have the power and resources to influence the majority citizens to attain their ambitions. If one, for instance, wants to run for the state gubernatorial seat, being in possession of sufficient resources is enough to influence the voters. What this means is that those in high living standards have the freedom to make their own choices and the choices of others living simple life. Nevertheless, some scholars have argued that happiness and fulfillment is a personal life and not subject to the resources that one has. Even in the simple life, one can choose to remain happy and in fulfillment. This requires one to live according to their means and be satisfied with what they have. As is argued in the referenced article, those who live simple lives are closer to nature. Even if they may not have the freedom to choose what they want in order to lead luxurious lives, nature gives them the freedom to choose. The opposing argument is also based on the fact that one must not have many things to choose from in order to be happy. Even if one had no choice in life, their own mentality and perception can make them love their life and not desire other higher lifestyles. Everyone has the right to make choices and choose the life to live without being influenced. Even as some scholars argue that a high life is not necessarily a good life, it is indubitable that everyone needs money to live comfortably. Even those leading simple lives need money to fulfill their needs. If the fulfillment of personal needs is a source of happiness, it, therefore, implies that money is indeed a source of fulfillment and happiness. There is no limit of the resources and money that one should have in order to fulfill their needs. The more that one has access to money the more the needs arise. In other words, high living standards can also come through the natural course as one attempts to look for more resources and money to fulfill personal needs and live happily. Hence, it is worth to argue that living happily is a personal choice and is not determined wholly by the money and resources that one has acquired. Although money leads to fulfillment of personal needs, happiness and the real fulfillment is an innate element that is not externally influenced. Even a simple life can be good, happy, sustainable and fulfilling. As long as everyone has free access to nature, access to good and happy life is also free. Conclusion A high living standard is better than simple life because people in the former enjoy the freedom of choice. They have a better view of the world because they do things the way they want and not the way society wants them done. Making choices is the best opportunity that one can get in life. it makes one happy and fulfilled in life. One influences their own lives and that of others. High life also enables people to benefit maximally from whatever comes with nature. They can maximally exploit the natural resources and make money from them. As aforementioned, money is part of happiness in life because it leads to fulfillment of personal needs. Nevertheless, those leading a simple life can also be happy and sustained in their lives. Happiness is a personal choice and is not merely determined by what one possesses. To wrap up the argument, it is worth concluding that a high life is better because one has more access to the elements that bring happiness in life. Those in the simple life have to struggle to attain what it takes to live happily. Works Cited Japp Phylis. M., & Japp, Debra. K.. Purification through simplification: Nature, the good life, and consumer culture. In Mark. Meister & Phylis. Japp M. (Eds.), Enviropop: Studies in environmental rhetoric and popular culture (pp. 81-94). Westport, CT: Praeger, 2002. Read More