The art of living is a skill in negotiating
the opportunities and pitfalls of life. It comprehends how to work with
whatever comes one's way and make the best of the challenges, joys and setbacks
that come with living and dying. This art is not just a way of thinking, not
just maintaining a positive attitude, though that is important; it is an art of
finding a path through life that avoids or turns aside what is bad and makes
something better of it.
Circumstances vary, but it is possible to
live artfully in all of them. This includes trying to change what can be
changed for the better, and not to lament, but accept, what can not be changed.
The art of living is distinguished from all the trappings of an outwardly
successful life. Possessions and financial successes may not prevent profound
unhappiness for an individual, failure in personal relationships, or
unawareness of the beauties of the physical world.
To live artfully is to live thoughtfully,
act justly, and to speak the truth, recognizing what is of genuine value, and
ignoring what is trivial. It is to be in the habit of doing and saying the
right things in the right manner, with good timing and a realistic appraisal of
the circumstances.
The Greeks called this
"sophrosuné", soundness of mind, discretion, moderation in feelings
and actions, and self-control. These character traits, as Aristotle said, come
to us not by nature, but by training and habit. Since we live by nature, but
act through character, there can be an art of living-well or badly, of making
the best or worst of life. We can learn from those who have gone before us,
and, if we are lucky, from a few of those now living who display the art of
living. It is an interesting question whether we could learn it by ourselves,
without any role models to guide us.
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