Found On the Path ..page 3..

I want to share what I’ve learned along my journey - the tools, methods, and ideas that have proven useful to me, and explore them together. This is fun, enlightening, and what I’m supposed to be doinI found that creating art and writing get me in touch with a part of me that only appears when I’m creating. I compare it to an umpire in baseball brushing off the dirt from home plate. The creative energy and drive exist in me but can be accessed much better if I’m creating.

I call it getting in the flow with the river of the Universe. sweeping away the stuff that covers up that part of me.

The ancient Greek philosophers taught that true happiness and flourishing come from living an ethical, virtuous life dedicated to personal excellence, wisdom, and harmony. Their ideas shape much of modern positive psychology and continue to inspire those seeking purpose and fulfillment.

The Ethics of the Good Life

Ancient philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle believed virtuous living was the key to genuine happiness—what they called eudaimonia or flourishing. Instead of focusing on material gain or fleeting pleasures, they argued that a fulfilling life is built on inner harmony, personal growth, and doing good.

Socrates: Virtue and Self-Examination

Socrates taught that “the unexamined life is not worth living” and that happiness comes from developing virtues like wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice. He believed that true happiness cannot be found in external possessions but results from the health and harmony of the soul—achieved by practicing self-examination and striving to do what is right.

Socrates saw the pursuit of virtue as inseparable from the pursuit of happiness

Engaging in thoughtful dialogue and constant questioning refines our understanding of goodness and helps us live well.

Plato: Harmony and the Soul

For Plato, happiness is a lasting state of inner harmony maintained through the cultivation of virtues guided by reason. He described the soul as having three parts—rational, spirited, and appetitive—and believed that happiness arises when reason governs, resulting in balance and justice.

Wisdom and philosophical contemplation help individuals understand their true nature and make decisions that support their inner peace.

Justice is both a personal and societal virtue: a just person (and a just society) is structured harmoniously, allowing happiness to flourish.

Aristotle: Flourishing Through Virtue

Aristotle’s concept of eudaimonia is central to his ethics. He believed happiness is not a fleeting feeling but a lifelong activity: doing and living well through the practice of virtue.

Human beings achieve their highest good by fulfilling their unique potential through rational activity in accordance with virtue.

Virtues like courage, wisdom, moderation, and kindness are developed by habit and wise choices, making happiness a result of continual growth and effort.

Lasting happiness is only attainable through a “complete life”—active engagement, reflection, and excellence over time.

Connecting Ancient Ethics to Modern Positive Psychology

Positive psychology builds on these ancient insights by emphasizing the role of personal strengths, character development, and engagement (or “flow”) as sources of well-being. The Greek focus on virtue, wisdom, and meaningful activity aligns with what research now shows: fulfillment comes from using our talents purposefully, building strong relationships, and living in accordance with deeply held values.

I wanted to introduce you to the great Greek Phiosophers just briefly as They’'ll come up later