This TED Talk, “What Makes a Good Life?” by Robert Waldinger, focuses on what the truly important aspects of being happy with your life are. He opens by sharing some statistics that claimed that majority of people believe the way to a happy life is through wealth, fame, and high achievement. However, a study, currently under the direction of Mr. Waldinger, proves this to be incorrect. One of the largest and longest running of its kind, this Harvard University study followed the lives of 724 men over 75 years. The teenagers that were chosen were from either Harvard backgrounds or from poor areas in Boston. Over the 75 years, they watched the lives of the participants, trying to see what truly made them have happier lives. This study concluded that the secret to a happier and more fulfilled life is having good relationships. It reported that people who felt satisfied with their relationships near the midpoint of there life were in better emotional, mental, and physical state once they reached their 80s. Through this study, they were able to prove that the most important thing to focus on in your life is your relationships with friends, family, and the community you live in.
