Ah, yes. Optimal You, Optimal Me. Who could that be? The best we can be? Our best self more often? To what do we aspire? To remain merely as we are is to stagnate, dissipating the precious gift of life.
So, to flourish, to blossom into our fullest self… do we do it by cultivating the Aristotelian virtues of courage, wisdom, and temperance? Living a life of balance, excellence, and harmony? Reason and virtue? Or shall we be utilitarian: seek to live a life that creates the greatest good for the greatest number for the longest possible time?
How long is the journey to this ultimate self? And what form does it take? We must have some vision, both to inspire us to move onward and upward and also because none can hit a target they cannot see! Philosophers may opine to the end of time, but in the final analysis, it is you who must define who you believe the ‘Optimal You’ can and might be for it is you that must walk the path i.e. it is a subjective, unique, and very personal concept. It also should not be a static one, for at its best, life is an ongoing journey of self-discovery and never-ending growth.
The truth is there is no right or final answer to the question of who or what constitutes the ‘Optimal You’; the process is the desired result; creating the ritual of ongoing self-reflection sparks the ever-evolving self-awareness that keeps you steadfastly on the path toward your best self.
Closing Quotes:
“Where there is no vision, the people perish” – Proverbs 29:18, KJV
“Living your best life is your most important journey in life.” – Oprah Winfrey, b. 1954
“Your ultimate goal in life is to become your best self. Your immediate goal is to get on the path that will lead you there.” – David Viscott, M.D., 1938-1966
As always, I share what I most want and need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier
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