LIFE STYLES

1 People have different attitudes toward living. Some seek self-oriented happiness, without any consideration of others. To them, happiness means wielding political or economic power over others. But most of these people turn out to be disappointed in their pursuit of happiness: since man's desire is endless, nothing can fully satisfy their needs.

2 Other people believe that the first step to attaining happiness is to restrict personal desire. Priests, monks and nuns are the most common representatives of this group. By refraining from worldly passion, they think they are happy because they live their lives in accordance with religious commands. But, can anyone without personal autonomy be genuinely happy?

3 A third group consists of very ordinary people. They have no great wealth or political authority. While they may have religious beliefs, they do not turn their back on the world. But they treasure their families, they value the little things of everyday life. They are happy if they have three meals a day, a car, a home, a vacation, enough money to educate their children.

4 Which group of people is the happiest? who knows? If you think you are happy, then you are. Happiness is the result of how you think about the world and your place in it.

VOCABULARY:

1. SELF - ORIENTED - overly concerned with one's own desires, needs, or interests

2. WIELD - exercise (influence) effectively

3. PURSUIT - the act of going after or in the tracks of another

4. RESTRICT - to set bounds or an upper limit for 

5. REFRAIN - stop oneself from doing something

6. IN ACCORDANCE WITH - in conformity with , in agreement with

7. AUTONOMY - self government, independence

8. GENUINE - truly what something is said to be; authentic

8. TURN THEIR BACK ON - abandon, ignore or reject

9. REPRESENTATIVE - typical examples of something

10. WHO KNOWS? - It is not possible to know at the moment.

11. LIFESTYLE - the way in which a person or group lives.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1.  How many groups of lifestyles are there?

2. What is the definition of happiness?

3. What  types of social activities do you engage in?

4. What do you think about becoming a priest, monk or a nun?

5. Do you think the quality of your life is improving or getting worse?

6. Have you ever done any volunteer work?

7. How do you relieve your stress?

copied from: Express Yourself (book 1)