Eastern Kentucky University
The Good Life: Perspectives of Kentuckians
Institution
Eastern Kentucky University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Jon McChesney
Abstract
This qualitative research focused on interviews with Kentuckians of all ages and sociodemographics in an attempt to ferret out what people deem the good life to be. Does the good life wait until retirement or sufficient economic prosperity? Interviews uncovered good life linkages with considerable leisure ("4:59 on a Friday"), recreation such as travel, religious faith and spirituality, citizenship and living where "a sense of community is valued," and financial issues ("Good life would be winning the lottery"). Philosophical views included finding balance, living with a sense of purpose, "a career you love doing," and connection to one’s values. Some struggled, "I just don’t know. Perhaps we are just too busy; it’s almost like our heads get stuck in the sand." One perfunctory response from a 15 year old was, "I don’t know. Just to sleep and a nice family I guess, and make the guy do all the work." A more considered response was, "The good life is whatever makes you happy. Not content, not ok, not rich, just happy." One individual said, "At my Mother’s funeral, someone said, ‘knowing your Mother made me a better person.’ Mom modeled the good life in her service to others." One student researcher in assessing the data said, "Perhaps we are so busy in life that we fail to work towards a goal, and fail to realize that our future is dictated by what we do today."
The Good Life: Perspectives of Kentuckians
This qualitative research focused on interviews with Kentuckians of all ages and sociodemographics in an attempt to ferret out what people deem the good life to be. Does the good life wait until retirement or sufficient economic prosperity? Interviews uncovered good life linkages with considerable leisure ("4:59 on a Friday"), recreation such as travel, religious faith and spirituality, citizenship and living where "a sense of community is valued," and financial issues ("Good life would be winning the lottery"). Philosophical views included finding balance, living with a sense of purpose, "a career you love doing," and connection to one’s values. Some struggled, "I just don’t know. Perhaps we are just too busy; it’s almost like our heads get stuck in the sand." One perfunctory response from a 15 year old was, "I don’t know. Just to sleep and a nice family I guess, and make the guy do all the work." A more considered response was, "The good life is whatever makes you happy. Not content, not ok, not rich, just happy." One individual said, "At my Mother’s funeral, someone said, ‘knowing your Mother made me a better person.’ Mom modeled the good life in her service to others." One student researcher in assessing the data said, "Perhaps we are so busy in life that we fail to work towards a goal, and fail to realize that our future is dictated by what we do today."