best things in life essay

The Best Things in Life Are Free Essay

There is a famous old song saying ‘The Best Things in Life are Free’. Nevertheless, does that saying hold well in today’s world. The stage which humankind has reached, the statement is fast loosing its value. The best things in life are definitely not free anymore.

We need to understand what the best things in life are. The clean air we breathe. The clean water we drink. The food we eat. Are they not the best things we have? There was a time when these things used to be free. They would not cost you money. In fact, there was no money. Mother Nature provided for us all. However, does it any more? The answer would definitely be no. Not anymore. We have taken a lot from her but have forgotten that she needs our attention too. Today, clean air is a luxury with all the pollution around created by our doings. If you want clean air, you need to pay for it. As for water, it will not be too long before we start shelling out the copper for use of each drop of water. In addition, for food, the prices are ever increasing. We bring in technology into all spheres of our daily activities. However, technology comes with a price tag on it. So using pesticides, artificial manure and other things used to enhance the quality of our crops escalate the costs of our crops evermore. (Lamb, 251)

In the current phase through which human kind is passing through everything is all about money. When Linda told Johnny that she was pregnant, both of them were filled with joy. It was all they wanted: to have a family of their own. Linda and John had a beautiful daughter named Sara. She is ten months old now. Now, John and Linda, both, have to work throughout the day to make ends meet. They work to plan Sara’s future, to pay her school fees, to pay her baby food, to pay for her nanny. The best thing in life for them does not get their attention as much it deserves anymore. (Lamb, 226)

What if we could go back to the countrysides, enjoy the serene greenery, eat the food we get, drink the water we find? Nevertheless, where do we find it? Countrysides are fast disappearing in the name of industrialization. To enjoy the serene view of nature we travel to national parks, forest reserves or resorts built to provide excellent views. However, in the process we end up paying a fortune for the rights to admission. We need to pay for what was quite naturally free: the sight of nature. However, it is not anymore. In addition, the question is would we just eat any food we find? Drink any water we get? The answer in actuality is that we are too conscious about its processing and worry where is it coming from. Thus, we are willing to pay for our basic survival.

The way we have and are being brought up, the notion of something being free has become so rare that we are overcome with happiness whenever someone offers us with something free although in veracity it is not. Consider the marketing strategies of ‘Buy two get one free’. We all know that there are some hidden calculations, which make up for the free item. However, sales are increased because the word “free” affects the psyche of the buyer. It would be extraordinary if we get anything free in reality. In addition, undeniably, the best things in life are not free.

Works Cited

Lamb, Davis; Cult to Culture: The Development of Civilization; ( Wellington: National Book Trust. 2004).

• Sara Lee Corporation
• Disappearing Dividends, Catering, and Risk
• The Actuality of Issue of Food Safety
• Wilderness as a Way Helping to Reach Isolation
• Life Meaning from Different Perspectives
• The Meaning of Life by Richard Taylor
• “Love” by Clarice Lispector
• Reflection Paper About Values
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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Turning Points

Are the Best Things in Life Free?

This is an article from Turning Points , a magazine that explores what critical moments from this year might mean for the year ahead.

COCO CHANEL is reputed to have said, “The best things in life are free. The second-best things are very, very expensive.” Below, Richard Hell, Yanis Varoufakis, Karl Lagerfeld, Mikhail Prokhorov, Youssou N’Dour, Andreja Pejic and Yao Chen tell us about their favorite things, and contemplate why most of us are so rarely satisfied with sunshine, love and the stars above.

Tell us about your favorite things in the comments below, or on the Times Opinion Facebook page . We may highlight your response in a follow-up to this piece.

Richard Hell

My initial reaction to this question is that nothing is free. Even the sun causes cancer. Water is getting more and more expensive. Everybody tells you that marriage is work. I feel lucky that my needs are few. It is really good to feel loved and to love, and that doesn’t cost anything. The other thing I like is art, meaning books and movies and paintings — museums — and music, and that is not too expensive either.

I have a prejudice against expensive things. Usually they’re about status or snobbery — that’s what I think Coco Chanel is actually talking about, even if she’d deny it. First-rate examples of most nice things can be found very cheaply if you trust your own sensibility. (Not to be too hard on Coco — she was a good businesswoman who priced the fruits of her talents dearly; it was in her interests to promote the costly.)

Also, I’ve learned that once you get what you want, you will just want either a greater amount of it, or you will want something else. The best thing to have is a vocation — to like doing something rather than having something. Because then the wanting more is just about wanting to be able to do it better, and that actually pays off.

Richard Hell is an American singer, songwriter and writer. His new book is “Massive Pissed Love: Nonfiction 2001-2014.”

Yanis Varoufakis

The very best thing in life, happiness, can only be a byproduct of something that’s authentically good (e.g., a kind deed, a good night’s sleep, love) and is absent from any market. The second-best things, to which we turn out of impatience or despair, are pricey because no price can approximate the value of the best things.

Trying to replace authentic happiness with some purchased object or service is the equivalent of substituting a sleeping pill-induced stupor for a good night’s sleep. In the 19th century, some American journals published this definition: “Happiness is like a butterfly, which when pursued seems always just beyond your grasp; but if you sit down quietly, may light upon you.” Ceasing this materialistic pursuit costs nothing at all!

If the pursuit of happiness is condemned to be self-defeating, what should our guide be? The optimist in me believes that there is something innate in humans that, like the mechanism that prompts sunflowers to follow the sun across the sky, can help unleash our creative side. For the hell of it. With happiness the unintended byproduct, the butterfly that sits softly on our shoulder.

Alas, the Sirens of daily toil can distract us and turn us into consumers who like what they buy, buy what they think they like, and end up bored and dissatisfied — permanently unable to specify the nature of their discontent and living confirmations of Mark Twain’s point about the “limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities.”

On the other hand, Dorothy Parker said that we ought to “Take care of the luxuries and the necessities will take care of themselves.” Of course, necessities take care of themselves only for those people who belong to the tiny segment of society where privilege reproduces itself.

A civilized society provides everyone with the conditions that will give them the freedom vigorously and creatively to pursue their own goals. But for this to happen, each must have liberty from fear, hunger and exploitation — as well as, according to Virginia Woolf, a “room of one’s own.”

Yanis Varoufakis is a politician, an academic economist and Greece’s former finance minister.

Karl Lagerfeld

Chanel was right: The second-best things in life are very expensive — because people will often pay more for what they don’t need than for what they need.

Luxury is often judged on moral grounds, but if you think economically, there are great benefits. It helps to make money go around, bringing dollars out of the pockets of the rich and becoming a source of craftsmanship.

It’s a very good thing when a hotel is able to attract clients who are ready to pay $80,000 a night for a suite, because that provides a living for so many: the workers who built the suite, the architects who designed the hotel, the artisans who made the furniture, the staff who work there. There is also great pride in such work — that suite is a work of art in everyday use, stocked with custom-made and beautiful furniture.

Karl Lagerfeld is the creative director of Chanel, Fendi and his eponymous label.

Mikhail Prokhorov

I’ve never been much of a materialist. I lived in the small, Soviet apartment of my youth long after I could afford not to. If you were to visit my home in Moscow now, you’d see that it basically resembles a nice hotel with a nondescript resident: There’s no great artwork, no Faberge eggs in sight! Only me, usually lounging in my Brooklyn Nets track suit. (Cost: $95!)

The way I see it, the “second-best things” or very expensive things are only worthwhile if they serve a utilitarian purpose. Sailing makes me seasick, so I have a yacht but enjoy it only because it lets me jet-ski. Getting better at the sport is a personal goal that I work hard at.

The best thing about the yacht is free — the satisfaction of having risen to a new challenge and mastered a new move (which is especially difficult if you’re 6’8”!). This is something that no one can do for me.

I couldn’t care less about the yacht, but I value my personal growth and am happy to invest in it – along with the occasional fine wine.

Mikhail Prokhorov is a Russian billionaire and former presidential candidate, and owns the Brooklyn Nets basketball team.

Youssou N’Dour

I was so fortunate to have been given a voice that appeals to people. To be able to flourish and find my fans when so many people are unable to pursue their dream jobs was a divine blessing. Such a gift can be developed further, but it can’t be repaid or bought: Isn’t that evidence that the best things in life are free?

One of the best things in my life is when I see an expression of excited happiness on the face of an audience member at one of my concerts. I may not know his name, but we share a true communion! Or my 3 year-old-son’s smile when he sees me — he always runs to me and jumps up to hug me so tenderly. Or when a stranger on the street says hello, which gives us both a feeling of happiness for the rest of the day.

If love is a gift of the self, that excited look, that sincere smile, that greeting prove that the best things in life are free. If you’re ever in doubt about it, hold your breath for as long as you can, then inhale and exhale the oxygen that Mother Nature gives us, on the house. The best things in life are available to those who take the time to observe and enjoy them.

Youssou N’Dour is a Senegalese vocalist, songwriter and politician.

Andreja Pejic

Coco Chanel was right. The best things in life are free, because human interaction is the basis of happiness — the feeling that you, in union with other humans, are taking part in actions that benefit the world and humanity in one way or another.

In our society, social relations between human beings are subdued to economic relations between goods and services. This leads to people being alienated from what they produce and also from each other. The ideological nature placed on merchandise suggests that the more of it we acquire, the happier we will be. But anyone who has experienced the limited and short-lived gratification of purchasing a coveted item knows that this is simply not the case. In fact, the more things we have, the less we are able to even feel that instant satisfaction.

Only when the best things life are fulfilled can we focus on the second best — the products, knowledge and experiences that provide ease, beauty, creativity and enlightenment. Sadly, such things are very expensive and enjoyed only by a minority, which generally expects the second best things to make up for the lack of the first.

Andreja Pejic is an Australian model, and the first openly transgender woman to become the face of a major makeup brand.

The best things in life really are free. They are indispensable and always with us, like air, sunlight and water. We pay them little attention, taking them for granted. Only when you are about to lose something — when your eyesight goes dim, your health begins to fade or the natural resources you rely upon grow scarce or are polluted — do you start to realize how precious it was.

The second-best, most priceless thing, I think, is my acting career — which can’t be measured in dollars. It was simply destiny.

Many young people who are just starting out say that they are willing to do anything to attain success, but I wouldn’t have been entitled to achieve my dreams if I had pursued my art at the cost of my health, for example, or if I had been willing to cast any of the other “best things” aside. Often luck is a big factor, and so if you don’t reach such a goal, it doesn’t reflect on you.

It is wonderful when such dreams come true. I am so grateful.

Yao Chen is a Chinese actress and activist.

What is your favorite thing? Is it a rare luxury, or an every-day pleasure? Let us know in the comments below or on the Times Opinion Facebook page . We may highlight your response in a follow-up to this piece.

Essays About Life: Top 5 Examples Plus 7 Prompts

Life envelops various meanings; if you are writing essays about life, discover our comprehensive guide with examples and prompts to help you with your essay.

What is life? You can ask anyone; I assure you, no two people will have the same answer. How we define life relies on our beliefs and priorities. One can say that life is the capacity for growth or the time between birth and death. Others can share that life is the constant pursuit of purpose and fulfillment. Life is a broad topic that inspires scholars, poets, and many others. It stimulates discussions that encourage diverse perspectives and interpretations. 

5 Essay Examples

1. essay on life by anonymous on toppr.com, 2. the theme of life, existence and consciousness by anonymous on gradesfixer.com, 3. compassion can save life by anonymous on papersowl.com, 4. a life of consumption vs. a life of self-realization by anonymous on ivypanda.com, 5. you only live once: a motto for life by anonymous on gradesfixer.com, 1. what is the true meaning of life, 2. my life purpose, 3. what makes life special, 4. how to appreciate life, 5. books about life, 6. how to live a healthy life, 7. my idea of a perfect life.

“…quality of Life carries huge importance. Above all, the ultimate purpose should be to live a meaningful life. A meaningful life is one which allows us to connect with our deeper self.”

The author defines life as something that differentiates man from inorganic matter. It’s an aspect that processes and examines a person’s actions that develop through growth. For some, life is a pain because of failures and struggles, but it’s temporary. For the writer, life’s challenges help us move forward, be strong, and live to the fullest. You can also check out these essays about utopia .

“… Kafka defines the dangers of depending on art for life. The hunger artist expresses his dissatisfaction with the world by using himself and not an external canvas to create his artwork, forcing a lack of separation between the artist and his art. Therefore, instead of the art depending on the audience, the artist depends on the audience, meaning when the audience’s appreciation for work dwindles, their appreciation for the artist diminishes as well, leading to the hunger artist’s death.”

The essay talks about “ A Hunger Artist ” by Franz Kafka, who describes his views on life through art. The author analyzes Kafka’s fictional main character and his anxieties and frustrations about life and the world. This perception shows how much he suffered as an artist and how unhappy he was. Through the essay, the writer effectively explains Kafka’s conclusion that artists’ survival should not depend on their art.

“Compassion is that feeling that we’ve all experienced at some point in our lives. When we know that there is someone that really cares for us. Compassion comes from that moment when we can see the world through another person’s eyes.”

The author is a nurse who believes that to be professional, they need to be compassionate and treat their patients with respect, empathy, and dignity. One can show compassion through small actions such as talking and listening to patients’ grievances. In conclusion, compassion can save a person’s life by accepting everyone regardless of race, gender, etc.

“… A life of self-realization is more preferable and beneficial in comparison with a life on consumption. At the same time, this statement may be objected as person’s consumption leads to his or her happiness.”

The author examines Jon Elster’s theory to find out what makes a person happy and what people should think and feel about their material belongings. The essay mentions a list of common activities that make us feel happy and satisfied, such as buying new things. The writer explains that Elster’s statement about the prevalence of self-realization in consumption will always trigger intense debate.

“Appreciate the moment you’ve been given and appreciate the people you’ve been given to spend it with, because no matter how beautiful or tragic a moment is, it always ends. So hold on a little tighter, smile a little bigger, cry a little harder, laugh a little louder, forgive a little quicker, and love a whole lot deeper because these are the moments you will remember when you’re old and wishing you could rewind time.”

This essay explains that some things and events only happen once in a person’s life. The author encourages teenagers to enjoy the little things in their life and do what they love as much as they can. When they turn into adults, they will no longer have the luxury to do whatever they want.

The author suggests doing something meaningful as a stress reliever, trusting people, refusing to give up on the things that make you happy, and dying with beautiful memories. For help with your essays, check out our round-up of the best essay checkers .

7 Prompts for Essays About Life

Life encompasses many values and depends on one’s perception. For most, life is about reaching achievements to make themselves feel alive. Use this prompt to compile different meanings of life and provide a background on why a person defines life as they do.

Take Joseph Campbell’s, “Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning, and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer,” for example. This quote pertains to his belief that an individual is responsible for giving life meaning. 

For this prompt, share with your readers your current purpose in life. It can be as simple as helping your siblings graduate or something grand, such as changing a national law to make a better world. You can ask others about their life purpose to include in your essay and give your opinion on why your answers are different or similar.

Life is a fascinating subject, as each person has a unique concept. How someone lives depends on many factors, such as opportunities, upbringing, and philosophies. All of these elements affect what we consider “special.”

Share what you think makes life special. For instance, talk about your relationships, such as your close-knit family or best friends. Write about the times when you thought life was worth living. You might also be interested in these essays about yourself .

Life in itself is a gift. However, most of us follow a routine of “wake up, work (or study), sleep, repeat.” Our constant need to survive makes us take things for granted. When we endlessly repeat a routine, life becomes mundane. For this prompt, offer tips on how to avoid a monotonous life, such as keeping a gratitude journal or traveling.

Many literary pieces use life as their subject. If you have a favorite book about life, recommend it to your readers by summarizing the content and sharing how the book influenced your outlook on life. You can suggest more than one book and explain why everyone should read them.

For example, Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist” reminds its readers to live in the moment and never fear failure.

To be healthy doesn’t only pertain to our physical condition. It also refers to our mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being. To live a happy and full life, individuals must strive to be healthy in all areas. For this prompt, list ways to achieve a healthy life. Section your essay and present activities to improve health, such as eating healthy foods, talking with friends, etc.

No one has a perfect life, but describe what it’ll be like if you do. Start with the material things, such as your house, clothes, etc. Then, move to how you connect with others. In your conclusion, answer whether you’re willing to exchange your current life for the “perfect life” you described and why.  See our essay writing tips to learn more!

Maria Caballero is a freelance writer who has been writing since high school. She believes that to be a writer doesn't only refer to excellent syntax and semantics but also knowing how to weave words together to communicate to any reader effectively.

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Essay on Life for Students and Children

500+ words essay on life.

First of all, Life refers to an aspect of existence. This aspect processes acts, evaluates, and evolves through growth. Life is what distinguishes humans from inorganic matter. Some individuals certainly enjoy free will in Life. Others like slaves and prisoners don’t have that privilege. However, Life isn’t just about living independently in society. It is certainly much more than that. Hence, quality of Life carries huge importance. Above all, the ultimate purpose should be to live a meaningful life. A meaningful life is one which allows us to connect with our deeper self.

Why is Life Important?

One important aspect of Life is that it keeps going forward. This means nothing is permanent. Hence, there should be a reason to stay in dejection. A happy occasion will come to pass, just like a sad one. Above all, one must be optimistic no matter how bad things get. This is because nothing will stay forever. Every situation, occasion, and event shall pass. This is certainly a beauty of Life.

Many people become very sad because of failures . However, these people certainly fail to see the bright side. The bright side is that there is a reason for every failure. Therefore, every failure teaches us a valuable lesson. This means every failure builds experience. This experience is what improves the skills and efficiency of humans.

Probably a huge number of individuals complain that Life is a pain. Many people believe that the word pain is a synonym for Life. However, it is pain that makes us stronger. Pain is certainly an excellent way of increasing mental resilience. Above all, pain enriches the mind.

The uncertainty of death is what makes life so precious. No one knows the hour of one’s death. This probably is the most important reason to live life to the fullest. Staying in depression or being a workaholic is an utter wastage of Life. One must certainly enjoy the beautiful blessings of Life before death overtakes.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

How to Improve Quality of Life?

Most noteworthy, optimism is the ultimate way of enriching life. Optimism increases job performance, self-confidence, creativity, and skills. An optimistic person certainly can overcome huge hurdles.

Meditation is another useful way of improving Life quality. Meditation probably allows a person to dwell upon his past. This way one can avoid past mistakes. It also gives peace of mind to an individual. Furthermore, meditation reduces stress and tension.

Pursuing a hobby is a perfect way to bring meaning to life. Without a passion or interest, an individual’s life would probably be dull. Following a hobby certainly brings new energy to life. It provides new hope to live and experience Life.

In conclusion, Life is not something that one should take for granted. It’s certainly a shame to see individuals waste away their lives. We should be very thankful for experiencing our lives. Above all, everyone should try to make their life more meaningful.

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Follow YES! For Teachers

Eight brilliant student essays on what matters most in life.

Read winning essays from our spring 2019 student writing contest.

For the spring 2019 student writing contest, we invited students to read the YES! article “Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age” by Nancy Hill. Like the author, students interviewed someone significantly older than them about the three things that matter most in life. Students then wrote about what they learned, and about how their interviewees’ answers compare to their own top priorities.

The Winners

From the hundreds of essays written, these eight were chosen as winners. Be sure to read the author’s response to the essay winners and the literary gems that caught our eye. Plus, we share an essay from teacher Charles Sanderson, who also responded to the writing prompt.

Middle School Winner: Rory Leyva

High School Winner:  Praethong Klomsum

University Winner:  Emily Greenbaum

Powerful Voice Winner: Amanda Schwaben

Powerful Voice Winner: Antonia Mills

Powerful Voice Winner:  Isaac Ziemba

Powerful Voice Winner: Lily Hersch

“Tell It Like It Is” Interview Winner: Jonas Buckner

From the Author: Response to Student Winners

Literary Gems

From A Teacher: Charles Sanderson

From the Author: Response to Charles Sanderson

Middle School Winner

Village Home Education Resource Center, Portland, Ore.

The Lessons Of Mortality 

“As I’ve aged, things that are more personal to me have become somewhat less important. Perhaps I’ve become less self-centered with the awareness of mortality, how short one person’s life is.” This is how my 72-year-old grandma believes her values have changed over the course of her life. Even though I am only 12 years old, I know my life won’t last forever, and someday I, too, will reflect on my past decisions. We were all born to exist and eventually die, so we have evolved to value things in the context of mortality.

One of the ways I feel most alive is when I play roller derby. I started playing for the Rose City Rollers Juniors two years ago, and this year, I made the Rosebud All-Stars travel team. Roller derby is a fast-paced, full-contact sport. The physicality and intense training make me feel in control of and present in my body.

My roller derby team is like a second family to me. Adolescence is complicated. We understand each other in ways no one else can. I love my friends more than I love almost anything else. My family would have been higher on my list a few years ago, but as I’ve aged it has been important to make my own social connections.

Music led me to roller derby.  I started out jam skating at the roller rink. Jam skating is all about feeling the music. It integrates gymnastics, breakdancing, figure skating, and modern dance with R & B and hip hop music. When I was younger, I once lay down in the DJ booth at the roller rink and was lulled to sleep by the drawl of wheels rolling in rhythm and people talking about the things they came there to escape. Sometimes, I go up on the roof of my house at night to listen to music and feel the wind rustle my hair. These unique sensations make me feel safe like nothing else ever has.

My grandma tells me, “Being close with family and friends is the most important thing because I haven’t

always had that.” When my grandma was two years old, her father died. Her mother became depressed and moved around a lot, which made it hard for my grandma to make friends. Once my grandma went to college, she made lots of friends. She met my grandfather, Joaquin Leyva when she was working as a park ranger and he was a surfer. They bought two acres of land on the edge of a redwood forest and had a son and a daughter. My grandma created a stable family that was missing throughout her early life.

My grandma is motivated to maintain good health so she can be there for her family. I can relate because I have to be fit and strong for my team. Since she lost my grandfather to cancer, she realizes how lucky she is to have a functional body and no life-threatening illnesses. My grandma tries to eat well and exercise, but she still struggles with depression. Over time, she has learned that reaching out to others is essential to her emotional wellbeing.  

Caring for the earth is also a priority for my grandma I’ve been lucky to learn from my grandma. She’s taught me how to hunt for fossils in the desert and find shells on the beach. Although my grandma grew up with no access to the wilderness, she admired the green open areas of urban cemeteries. In college, she studied geology and hiked in the High Sierras. For years, she’s been an advocate for conserving wildlife habitat and open spaces.

Our priorities may seem different, but it all comes down to basic human needs. We all desire a purpose, strive to be happy, and need to be loved. Like Nancy Hill says in the YES! Magazine article “Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age,” it can be hard to decipher what is important in life. I believe that the constant search for satisfaction and meaning is the only thing everyone has in common. We all want to know what matters, and we walk around this confusing world trying to find it. The lessons I’ve learned from my grandma about forging connections, caring for my body, and getting out in the world inspire me to live my life my way before it’s gone.

Rory Leyva is a seventh-grader from Portland, Oregon. Rory skates for the Rosebuds All-Stars roller derby team. She loves listening to music and hanging out with her friends.

High School Winner

Praethong Klomsum

  Santa Monica High School, Santa Monica, Calif.

Time Only Moves Forward

Sandra Hernandez gazed at the tiny house while her mother’s gentle hands caressed her shoulders. It wasn’t much, especially for a family of five. This was 1960, she was 17, and her family had just moved to Culver City.

Flash forward to 2019. Sandra sits in a rocking chair, knitting a blanket for her latest grandchild, in the same living room. Sandra remembers working hard to feed her eight children. She took many different jobs before settling behind the cash register at a Japanese restaurant called Magos. “It was a struggle, and my husband Augustine, was planning to join the military at that time, too.”

In the YES! Magazine article “Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age,” author Nancy Hill states that one of the most important things is “…connecting with others in general, but in particular with those who have lived long lives.” Sandra feels similarly. It’s been hard for Sandra to keep in contact with her family, which leaves her downhearted some days. “It’s important to maintain that connection you have with your family, not just next-door neighbors you talk to once a month.”

Despite her age, Sandra is a daring woman. Taking risks is important to her, and she’ll try anything—from skydiving to hiking. Sandra has some regrets from the past, but nowadays, she doesn’t wonder about the “would have, could have, should haves.” She just goes for it with a smile.

Sandra thought harder about her last important thing, the blue and green blanket now finished and covering

her lap. “I’ve definitely lived a longer life than most, and maybe this is just wishful thinking, but I hope I can see the day my great-grandchildren are born.” She’s laughing, but her eyes look beyond what’s in front of her. Maybe she is reminiscing about the day she held her son for the first time or thinking of her grandchildren becoming parents. I thank her for her time and she waves it off, offering me a styrofoam cup of lemonade before I head for the bus station.

The bus is sparsely filled. A voice in my head reminds me to finish my 10-page history research paper before spring break. I take a window seat and pull out my phone and earbuds. My playlist is already on shuffle, and I push away thoughts of that dreaded paper. Music has been a constant in my life—from singing my lungs out in kindergarten to Barbie’s “I Need To Know,” to jamming out to Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” in sixth grade, to BTS’s “Intro: Never Mind” comforting me when I’m at my lowest. Music is my magic shop, a place where I can trade away my fears for calm.

I’ve always been afraid of doing something wrong—not finishing my homework or getting a C when I can do better. When I was 8, I wanted to be like the big kids. As I got older, I realized that I had exchanged my childhood longing for the 48 pack of crayons for bigger problems, balancing grades, a social life, and mental stability—all at once. I’m going to get older whether I like it or not, so there’s no point forcing myself to grow up faster.  I’m learning to live in the moment.

The bus is approaching my apartment, where I know my comfy bed and a home-cooked meal from my mom are waiting. My mom is hard-working, confident, and very stubborn. I admire her strength of character. She always keeps me in line, even through my rebellious phases.

My best friend sends me a text—an update on how broken her laptop is. She is annoying. She says the stupidest things and loves to state the obvious. Despite this, she never fails to make me laugh until my cheeks feel numb. The rest of my friends are like that too—loud, talkative, and always brightening my day. Even friends I stopped talking to have a place in my heart. Recently, I’ve tried to reconnect with some of them. This interview was possible because a close friend from sixth grade offered to introduce me to Sandra, her grandmother.  

I’m decades younger than Sandra, so my view of what’s important isn’t as broad as hers, but we share similar values, with friends and family at the top. I have a feeling that when Sandra was my age, she used to love music, too. Maybe in a few decades, when I’m sitting in my rocking chair, drawing in my sketchbook, I’ll remember this article and think back fondly to the days when life was simple.

Praethong Klomsum is a tenth-grader at Santa Monica High School in Santa Monica, California.  Praethong has a strange affinity for rhyme games and is involved in her school’s dance team. She enjoys drawing and writing, hoping to impact people willing to listen to her thoughts and ideas.

University Winner

Emily Greenbaum

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 

The Life-Long War

Every morning we open our eyes, ready for a new day. Some immediately turn to their phones and social media. Others work out or do yoga. For a certain person, a deep breath and the morning sun ground him. He hears the clink-clank of his wife cooking low sodium meat for breakfast—doctor’s orders! He sees that the other side of the bed is already made, the dogs are no longer in the room, and his clothes are set out nicely on the loveseat.

Today, though, this man wakes up to something different: faded cream walls and jello. This person, my hero, is Master Chief Petty Officer Roger James.

I pulled up my chair close to Roger’s vinyl recliner so I could hear him above the noise of the beeping dialysis machine. I noticed Roger would occasionally glance at his wife Susan with sparkly eyes when he would recall memories of the war or their grandkids. He looked at Susan like she walked on water.

Roger James served his country for thirty years. Now, he has enlisted in another type of war. He suffers from a rare blood cancer—the result of the wars he fought in. Roger has good and bad days. He says, “The good outweighs the bad, so I have to be grateful for what I have on those good days.”

When Roger retired, he never thought the effects of the war would reach him. The once shallow wrinkles upon his face become deeper, as he tells me, “It’s just cancer. Others are suffering from far worse. I know I’ll make it.”

Like Nancy Hill did in her article “Three Things that Matter Most in Youth and Old Age,” I asked Roger, “What are the three most important things to you?” James answered, “My wife Susan, my grandkids, and church.”

Roger and Susan served together in the Vietnam war. She was a nurse who treated his cuts and scrapes one day. I asked Roger why he chose Susan. He said, “Susan told me to look at her while she cleaned me up. ‘This may sting, but don’t be a baby.’ When I looked into her eyes, I felt like she was looking into my soul, and I didn’t want her to leave. She gave me this sense of home. Every day I wake up, she makes me feel the same way, and I fall in love with her all over again.”

Roger and Susan have two kids and four grandkids, with great-grandchildren on the way. He claims that his grandkids give him the youth that he feels slowly escaping from his body. This adoring grandfather is energized by coaching t-ball and playing evening card games with the grandkids.

The last thing on his list was church. His oldest daughter married a pastor. Together they founded a church. Roger said that the connection between his faith and family is important to him because it gave him a reason to want to live again. I learned from Roger that when you’re across the ocean, you tend to lose sight of why you are fighting. When Roger returned, he didn’t have the will to live. Most days were a struggle, adapting back into a society that lacked empathy for the injuries, pain, and psychological trauma carried by returning soldiers. Church changed that for Roger and gave him a sense of purpose.

When I began this project, my attitude was to just get the assignment done. I never thought I could view Master Chief Petty Officer Roger James as more than a role model, but he definitely changed my mind. It’s as if Roger magically lit a fire inside of me and showed me where one’s true passions should lie. I see our similarities and embrace our differences. We both value family and our own connections to home—his home being church and mine being where I can breathe the easiest.

Master Chief Petty Officer Roger James has shown me how to appreciate what I have around me and that every once in a while, I should step back and stop to smell the roses. As we concluded the interview, amidst squeaky clogs and the stale smell of bleach and bedpans, I looked to Roger, his kind, tired eyes, and weathered skin, with a deeper sense of admiration, knowing that his values still run true, no matter what he faces.

Emily Greenbaum is a senior at Kent State University, graduating with a major in Conflict Management and minor in Geography. Emily hopes to use her major to facilitate better conversations, while she works in the Washington, D.C. area.  

Powerful Voice Winner

Amanda Schwaben

Wise Words From Winnie the Pooh

As I read through Nancy Hill’s article “Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age,” I was comforted by the similar responses given by both children and older adults. The emphasis participants placed on family, social connections, and love was not only heartwarming but hopeful. While the messages in the article filled me with warmth, I felt a twinge of guilt building within me. As a twenty-one-year-old college student weeks from graduation, I honestly don’t think much about the most important things in life. But if I was asked, I would most likely say family, friendship, and love. As much as I hate to admit it, I often find myself obsessing over achieving a successful career and finding a way to “save the world.”

A few weeks ago, I was at my family home watching the new Winnie the Pooh movie Christopher Robin with my mom and younger sister. Well, I wasn’t really watching. I had my laptop in front of me, and I was aggressively typing up an assignment. Halfway through the movie, I realized I left my laptop charger in my car. I walked outside into the brisk March air. Instinctively, I looked up. The sky was perfectly clear, revealing a beautiful array of stars. When my twin sister and I were in high school, we would always take a moment to look up at the sparkling night sky before we came into the house after soccer practice.

I think that was the last time I stood in my driveway and gazed at the stars. I did not get the laptop charger from

my car; instead, I turned around and went back inside. I shut my laptop and watched the rest of the movie. My twin sister loves Winnie the Pooh. So much so that my parents got her a stuffed animal version of him for Christmas. While I thought he was adorable and a token of my childhood, I did not really understand her obsession. However, it was clear to me after watching the movie. Winnie the Pooh certainly had it figured out. He believed that the simple things in life were the most important: love, friendship, and having fun.

I thought about asking my mom right then what the three most important things were to her, but I decided not to. I just wanted to be in the moment. I didn’t want to be doing homework. It was a beautiful thing to just sit there and be present with my mom and sister.

I did ask her, though, a couple of weeks later. Her response was simple.  All she said was family, health, and happiness. When she told me this, I imagined Winnie the Pooh smiling. I think he would be proud of that answer.

I was not surprised by my mom’s reply. It suited her perfectly. I wonder if we relearn what is most important when we grow older—that the pressure to be successful subsides. Could it be that valuing family, health, and happiness is what ends up saving the world?

Amanda Schwaben is a graduating senior from Kent State University with a major in Applied Conflict Management. Amanda also has minors in Psychology and Interpersonal Communication. She hopes to further her education and focus on how museums not only preserve history but also promote peace.

Antonia Mills

Rachel Carson High School, Brooklyn, N.Y. 

Decoding The Butterfly

For a caterpillar to become a butterfly, it must first digest itself. The caterpillar, overwhelmed by accumulating tissue, splits its skin open to form its protective shell, the chrysalis, and later becomes the pretty butterfly we all know and love. There are approximately 20,000 species of butterflies, and just as every species is different, so is the life of every butterfly. No matter how long and hard a caterpillar has strived to become the colorful and vibrant butterfly that we marvel at on a warm spring day, it does not live a long life. A butterfly can live for a year, six months, two weeks, and even as little as twenty-four hours.

I have often wondered if butterflies live long enough to be blissful of blue skies. Do they take time to feast upon the sweet nectar they crave, midst their hustling life of pollinating pretty flowers? Do they ever take a lull in their itineraries, or are they always rushing towards completing their four-stage metamorphosis? Has anyone asked the butterfly, “Who are you?” instead of “What are you”? Or, How did you get here, on my windowsill?  How did you become ‘you’?

Humans are similar to butterflies. As a caterpillar

Suzanna Ruby/Getty Images

becomes a butterfly, a baby becomes an elder. As a butterfly soars through summer skies, an elder watches summer skies turn into cold winter nights and back toward summer skies yet again.  And as a butterfly flits slowly by the porch light, a passerby makes assumptions about the wrinkled, slow-moving elder, who is sturdier than he appears. These creatures are not seen for who they are—who they were—because people have “better things to do” or they are too busy to ask, “How are you”?

Our world can be a lonely place. Pressured by expectations, haunted by dreams, overpowered by weakness, and drowned out by lofty goals, we tend to forget ourselves—and others. Rather than hang onto the strands of our diminishing sanity, we might benefit from listening to our elders. Many elders have experienced setbacks in their young lives. Overcoming hardship and surviving to old age is wisdom that they carry.  We can learn from them—and can even make their day by taking the time to hear their stories.  

Nancy Hill, who wrote the YES! Magazine article “Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age,” was right: “We live among such remarkable people, yet few know their stories.” I know a lot about my grandmother’s life, and it isn’t as serene as my own. My grandmother, Liza, who cooks every day, bakes bread on holidays for our neighbors, brings gifts to her doctor out of the kindness of her heart, and makes conversation with neighbors even though she is isn’t fluent in English—Russian is her first language—has struggled all her life. Her mother, Anna, a single parent, had tuberculosis, and even though she had an inviolable spirit, she was too frail to care for four children. She passed away when my grandmother was sixteen, so my grandmother and her siblings spent most of their childhood in an orphanage. My grandmother got married at nineteen to my grandfather, Pinhas. He was a man who loved her more than he loved himself and was a godsend to every person he met. Liza was—and still is—always quick to do what was best for others, even if that person treated her poorly. My grandmother has lived with physical pain all her life, yet she pushed herself to climb heights that she wasn’t ready for. Against all odds, she has lived to tell her story to people who are willing to listen. And I always am.

I asked my grandmother, “What are three things most important to you?” Her answer was one that I already expected: One, for everyone to live long healthy lives. Two, for you to graduate from college. Three, for you to always remember that I love you.

What may be basic to you means the world to my grandmother. She just wants what she never had the chance to experience: a healthy life, an education, and the chance to express love to the people she values. The three things that matter most to her may be so simple and ordinary to outsiders, but to her, it is so much more. And who could take that away?

Antonia Mills was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and attends Rachel Carson High School.  Antonia enjoys creative activities, including writing, painting, reading, and baking. She hopes to pursue culinary arts professionally in the future. One of her favorite quotes is, “When you start seeing your worth, you’ll find it harder to stay around people who don’t.” -Emily S.P.  

  Powerful Voice Winner

   Isaac Ziemba

Odyssey Multiage Program, Bainbridge Island, Wash. 

This Former State Trooper Has His Priorities Straight: Family, Climate Change, and Integrity

I have a personal connection to people who served in the military and first responders. My uncle is a first responder on the island I live on, and my dad retired from the Navy. That was what made a man named Glen Tyrell, a state trooper for 25 years, 2 months and 9 days, my first choice to interview about what three things matter in life. In the YES! Magazine article “The Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age,” I learned that old and young people have a great deal in common. I know that’s true because Glen and I care about a lot of the same things.

For Glen, family is at the top of his list of important things. “My wife was, and is, always there for me. My daughters mean the world to me, too, but Penny is my partner,” Glen said. I can understand why Glen’s wife is so important to him. She’s family. Family will always be there for you.

Glen loves his family, and so do I with all my heart. My dad especially means the world to me. He is my top supporter and tells me that if I need help, just “say the word.” When we are fishing or crabbing, sometimes I

think, what if these times were erased from my memory? I wouldn’t be able to describe the horrible feeling that would rush through my mind, and I’m sure that Glen would feel the same about his wife.

My uncle once told me that the world is always going to change over time. It’s what the world has turned out to be that worries me. Both Glen and I are extremely concerned about climate change and the effect that rising temperatures have on animals and their habitats. We’re driving them to extinction. Some people might say, “So what? Animals don’t pay taxes or do any of the things we do.” What we are doing to them is like the Black Death times 100.

Glen is also frustrated by how much plastic we use and where it ends up. He would be shocked that an explorer recently dived to the deepest part of the Pacific Ocean—seven miles!— and discovered a plastic bag and candy wrappers. Glen told me that, unfortunately, his generation did the damage and my generation is here to fix it. We need to take better care of Earth because if we don’t, we, as a species, will have failed.

Both Glen and I care deeply for our families and the earth, but for our third important value, I chose education and Glen chose integrity. My education is super important to me because without it, I would be a blank slate. I wouldn’t know how to figure out problems. I wouldn’t be able to tell right from wrong. I wouldn’t understand the Bill of Rights. I would be stuck. Everyone should be able to go to school, no matter where they’re from or who they are.  It makes me angry and sad to think that some people, especially girls, get shot because they are trying to go to school. I understand how lucky I am.

Integrity is sacred to Glen—I could tell by the serious tone of Glen’s voice when he told me that integrity was the code he lived by as a former state trooper. He knew that he had the power to change a person’s life, and he was committed to not abusing that power.  When Glen put someone under arrest—and my uncle says the same—his judgment and integrity were paramount. “Either you’re right or you’re wrong.” You can’t judge a person by what you think, you can only judge a person from what you know.”

I learned many things about Glen and what’s important in life, but there is one thing that stands out—something Glen always does and does well. Glen helps people. He did it as a state trooper, and he does it in our school, where he works on construction projects. Glen told me that he believes that our most powerful tools are writing and listening to others. I think those tools are important, too, but I also believe there are other tools to help solve many of our problems and create a better future: to be compassionate, to create caring relationships, and to help others. Just like Glen Tyrell does each and every day.

Isaac Ziemba is in seventh grade at the Odyssey Multiage Program on a small island called Bainbridge near Seattle, Washington. Isaac’s favorite subject in school is history because he has always been interested in how the past affects the future. In his spare time, you can find Isaac hunting for crab with his Dad, looking for artifacts around his house with his metal detector, and having fun with his younger cousin, Conner.     

Lily Hersch

 The Crest Academy, Salida, Colo.

The Phone Call

Dear Grandpa,

In my short span of life—12 years so far—you’ve taught me a lot of important life lessons that I’ll always have with me. Some of the values I talk about in this writing I’ve learned from you.

Dedicated to my Gramps.

In the YES! Magazine article “Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age,” author and photographer Nancy Hill asked people to name the three things that mattered most to them. After reading the essay prompt for the article, I immediately knew who I wanted to interview: my grandpa Gil.      

My grandpa was born on January 25, 1942. He lived in a minuscule tenement in The Bronx with his mother,

father, and brother. His father wasn’t around much, and, when he was, he was reticent and would snap occasionally, revealing his constrained mental pain. My grandpa says this happened because my great grandfather did not have a father figure in his life. His mother was a classy, sharp lady who was the head secretary at a local police district station. My grandpa and his brother Larry did not care for each other. Gramps said he was very close to his mother, and Larry wasn’t. Perhaps Larry was envious for what he didn’t have.

Decades after little to no communication with his brother, my grandpa decided to spontaneously visit him in Florida, where he resided with his wife. Larry was taken aback at the sudden reappearance of his brother and told him to leave. Since then, the two brothers have not been in contact. My grandpa doesn’t even know if Larry is alive.         

My grandpa is now a retired lawyer, married to my wonderful grandma, and living in a pretty house with an ugly dog named BoBo.

So, what’s important to you, Gramps?

He paused a second, then replied, “Family, kindness, and empathy.”

“Family, because it’s my family. It’s important to stay connected with your family. My brother, father, and I never connected in the way I wished, and sometimes I contemplated what could’ve happened.  But you can’t change the past. So, that’s why family’s important to me.”

Family will always be on my “Top Three Most Important Things” list, too. I can’t imagine not having my older brother, Zeke, or my grandma in my life. I wonder how other kids feel about their families? How do kids trapped and separated from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border feel?  What about orphans? Too many questions, too few answers.

“Kindness, because growing up and not seeing a lot of kindness made me realize how important it is to have that in the world. Kindness makes the world go round.”

What is kindness? Helping my brother, Eli, who has Down syndrome, get ready in the morning? Telling people what they need to hear, rather than what they want to hear? Maybe, for now, I’ll put wisdom, not kindness, on my list.

“Empathy, because of all the killings and shootings [in this country.] We also need to care for people—people who are not living in as good circumstances as I have. Donald Trump and other people I’ve met have no empathy. Empathy is very important.”

Empathy is something I’ve felt my whole life. It’ll always be important to me like it is important to my grandpa. My grandpa shows his empathy when he works with disabled children. Once he took a disabled child to a Christina Aguilera concert because that child was too young to go by himself. The moments I feel the most empathy are when Eli gets those looks from people. Seeing Eli wonder why people stare at him like he’s a freak makes me sad, and annoyed that they have the audacity to stare.

After this 2 minute and 36-second phone call, my grandpa has helped me define what’s most important to me at this time in my life: family, wisdom, and empathy. Although these things are important now, I realize they can change and most likely will.

When I’m an old woman, I envision myself scrambling through a stack of storage boxes and finding this paper. Perhaps after reading words from my 12-year-old self, I’ll ask myself “What’s important to me?”

Lily Hersch is a sixth-grader at Crest Academy in Salida, Colorado. Lily is an avid indoorsman, finding joy in competitive spelling, art, and of course, writing. She does not like Swiss cheese.

  “Tell It Like It Is” Interview Winner

Jonas Buckner

KIPP: Gaston College Preparatory, Gaston, N.C.

Lessons My Nana Taught Me

I walked into the house. In the other room, I heard my cousin screaming at his game. There were a lot of Pioneer Woman dishes everywhere. The room had the television on max volume. The fan in the other room was on. I didn’t know it yet, but I was about to learn something powerful.

I was in my Nana’s house, and when I walked in, she said, “Hey Monkey Butt.”

I said, “Hey Nana.”

Before the interview, I was talking to her about what I was gonna interview her on. Also, I had asked her why I might have wanted to interview her, and she responded with, “Because you love me, and I love you too.”

Now, it was time to start the interview. The first

question I asked was the main and most important question ever: “What three things matter most to you and you only?”

She thought of it very thoughtfully and responded with, “My grandchildren, my children, and my health.”

Then, I said, “OK, can you please tell me more about your health?”

She responded with, “My health is bad right now. I have heart problems, blood sugar, and that’s about it.” When she said it, she looked at me and smiled because she loved me and was happy I chose her to interview.

I replied with, “K um, why is it important to you?”

She smiled and said, “Why is it…Why is my health important? Well, because I want to live a long time and see my grandchildren grow up.”

I was scared when she said that, but she still smiled. I was so happy, and then I said, “Has your health always been important to you.”

She responded with “Nah.”

Then, I asked, “Do you happen to have a story to help me understand your reasoning?”

She said, “No, not really.”

Now we were getting into the next set of questions. I said, “Remember how you said that your grandchildren matter to you? Can you please tell me why they matter to you?”

Then, she responded with, “So I can spend time with them, play with them, and everything.”

Next, I asked the same question I did before: “Have you always loved your grandchildren?” 

She responded with, “Yes, they have always been important to me.”

Then, the next two questions I asked she had no response to at all. She was very happy until I asked, “Why do your children matter most to you?”

She had a frown on and responded, “My daughter Tammy died a long time ago.”

Then, at this point, the other questions were answered the same as the other ones. When I left to go home I was thinking about how her answers were similar to mine. She said health, and I care about my health a lot, and I didn’t say, but I wanted to. She also didn’t have answers for the last two questions on each thing, and I was like that too.

The lesson I learned was that no matter what, always keep pushing because even though my aunt or my Nana’s daughter died, she kept on pushing and loving everyone. I also learned that everything should matter to us. Once again, I chose to interview my Nana because she matters to me, and I know when she was younger she had a lot of things happen to her, so I wanted to know what she would say. The point I’m trying to make is that be grateful for what you have and what you have done in life.

Jonas Buckner is a sixth-grader at KIPP: Gaston College Preparatory in Gaston, North Carolina. Jonas’ favorite activities are drawing, writing, math, piano, and playing AltSpace VR. He found his passion for writing in fourth grade when he wrote a quick autobiography. Jonas hopes to become a horror writer someday.

From The Author: Responses to Student Winners

Dear Emily, Isaac, Antonia, Rory, Praethong, Amanda, Lily, and Jonas,

Your thought-provoking essays sent my head spinning. The more I read, the more impressed I was with the depth of thought, beauty of expression, and originality. It left me wondering just how to capture all of my reactions in a single letter. After multiple false starts, I’ve landed on this: I will stick to the theme of three most important things.

The three things I found most inspirational about your essays:

You listened.

You connected.

We live in troubled times. Tensions mount between countries, cultures, genders, religious beliefs, and generations. If we fail to find a way to understand each other, to see similarities between us, the future will be fraught with increased hostility.

You all took critical steps toward connecting with someone who might not value the same things you do by asking a person who is generations older than you what matters to them. Then, you listened to their answers. You saw connections between what is important to them and what is important to you. Many of you noted similarities, others wondered if your own list of the three most important things would change as you go through life. You all saw the validity of the responses you received and looked for reasons why your interviewees have come to value what they have.

It is through these things—asking, listening, and connecting—that we can begin to bridge the differences in experiences and beliefs that are currently dividing us.

Individual observations

Each one of you made observations that all of us, regardless of age or experience, would do well to keep in mind. I chose one quote from each person and trust those reading your essays will discover more valuable insights.

“Our priorities may seem different, but they come back to basic human needs. We all desire a purpose, strive to be happy, and work to make a positive impact.” 

“You can’t judge a person by what you think , you can only judge a person by what you know .”

Emily (referencing your interviewee, who is battling cancer):

“Master Chief Petty Officer James has shown me how to appreciate what I have around me.”

Lily (quoting your grandfather):

“Kindness makes the world go round.”

“Everything should matter to us.”

Praethong (quoting your interviewee, Sandra, on the importance of family):

“It’s important to always maintain that connection you have with each other, your family, not just next-door neighbors you talk to once a month.”

“I wonder if maybe we relearn what is most important when we grow older. That the pressure to be successful subsides and that valuing family, health, and happiness is what ends up saving the world.”

“Listen to what others have to say. Listen to the people who have already experienced hardship. You will learn from them and you can even make their day by giving them a chance to voice their thoughts.”

I end this letter to you with the hope that you never stop asking others what is most important to them and that you to continue to take time to reflect on what matters most to you…and why. May you never stop asking, listening, and connecting with others, especially those who may seem to be unlike you. Keep writing, and keep sharing your thoughts and observations with others, for your ideas are awe-inspiring.

I also want to thank the more than 1,000 students who submitted essays. Together, by sharing what’s important to us with others, especially those who may believe or act differently, we can fill the world with joy, peace, beauty, and love.

We received many outstanding essays for the Winter 2019 Student Writing Competition. Though not every participant can win the contest, we’d like to share some excerpts that caught our eye:

Whether it is a painting on a milky canvas with watercolors or pasting photos onto a scrapbook with her granddaughters, it is always a piece of artwork to her. She values the things in life that keep her in the moment, while still exploring things she may not have initially thought would bring her joy.

—Ondine Grant-Krasno, Immaculate Heart Middle School, Los Angeles, Calif.

“Ganas”… It means “desire” in Spanish. My ganas is fueled by my family’s belief in me. I cannot and will not fail them. 

—Adan Rios, Lane Community College, Eugene, Ore.

I hope when I grow up I can have the love for my kids like my grandma has for her kids. She makes being a mother even more of a beautiful thing than it already is.

—Ashley Shaw, Columbus City Prep School for Girls, Grove City, Ohio

You become a collage of little pieces of your friends and family. They also encourage you to be the best you can be. They lift you up onto the seat of your bike, they give you the first push, and they don’t hesitate to remind you that everything will be alright when you fall off and scrape your knee.

— Cecilia Stanton, Bellafonte Area Middle School, Bellafonte, Pa.

Without good friends, I wouldn’t know what I would do to endure the brutal machine of public education.

—Kenneth Jenkins, Garrison Middle School, Walla Walla, Wash.

My dog, as ridiculous as it may seem, is a beautiful example of what we all should aspire to be. We should live in the moment, not stress, and make it our goal to lift someone’s spirits, even just a little.

—Kate Garland, Immaculate Heart Middle School, Los Angeles, Calif. 

I strongly hope that every child can spare more time to accompany their elderly parents when they are struggling, and moving forward, and give them more care and patience. so as to truly achieve the goal of “you accompany me to grow up, and I will accompany you to grow old.”

—Taiyi Li, Lane Community College, Eugene, Ore.

I have three cats, and they are my brothers and sisters. We share a special bond that I think would not be possible if they were human. Since they do not speak English, we have to find other ways to connect, and I think that those other ways can be more powerful than language.

—Maya Dombroskie, Delta Program Middle School, Boulsburg, Pa.

We are made to love and be loved. To have joy and be relational. As a member of the loneliest generation in possibly all of history, I feel keenly aware of the need for relationships and authentic connection. That is why I decided to talk to my grandmother.

—Luke Steinkamp, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio

After interviewing my grandma and writing my paper, I realized that as we grow older, the things that are important to us don’t change, what changes is why those things are important to us.

—Emily Giffer, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.

The media works to marginalize elders, often isolating them and their stories, and the wealth of knowledge that comes with their additional years of lived experiences. It also undermines the depth of children’s curiosity and capacity to learn and understand. When the worlds of elders and children collide, a classroom opens.

—Cristina Reitano, City College of San Francisco, San Francisco, Calif.

My values, although similar to my dad, only looked the same in the sense that a shadow is similar to the object it was cast on.

—Timofey Lisenskiy, Santa Monica High School, Santa Monica, Calif.

I can release my anger through writing without having to take it out on someone. I can escape and be a different person; it feels good not to be myself for a while. I can make up my own characters, so I can be someone different every day, and I think that’s pretty cool.

—Jasua Carillo, Wellness, Business, and Sports School, Woodburn, Ore. 

Notice how all the important things in his life are people: the people who he loves and who love him back. This is because “people are more important than things like money or possessions, and families are treasures,” says grandpa Pat. And I couldn’t agree more.

—Brody Hartley, Garrison Middle School, Walla Walla, Wash.  

Curiosity for other people’s stories could be what is needed to save the world.

—Noah Smith, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio

Peace to me is a calm lake without a ripple in sight. It’s a starry night with a gentle breeze that pillows upon your face. It’s the absence of arguments, fighting, or war. It’s when egos stop working against each other and finally begin working with each other. Peace is free from fear, anxiety, and depression. To me, peace is an important ingredient in the recipe of life.

—JP Bogan, Lane Community College, Eugene, Ore.

From A Teacher

Charles Sanderson

Wellness, Business and Sports School, Woodburn, Ore. 

The Birthday Gift

I’ve known Jodelle for years, watching her grow from a quiet and timid twelve-year-old to a young woman who just returned from India, where she played Kabaddi, a kind of rugby meets Red Rover.

One of my core beliefs as an educator is to show up for the things that matter to kids, so I go to their games, watch their plays, and eat the strawberry jam they make for the county fair. On this occasion, I met Jodelle at a robotics competition to watch her little sister Abby compete. Think Nerd Paradise: more hats made from traffic cones than Golden State Warrior ball caps, more unicorn capes than Nike swooshes, more fanny packs with Legos than clutches with eyeliner.

We started chatting as the crowd chanted and waved six-foot flags for teams like Mystic Biscuits, Shrek, and everyone’s nemesis The Mean Machine. Apparently, when it’s time for lunch at a robotics competition, they don’t mess around. The once-packed gym was left to Jodelle and me, and we kept talking and talking. I eventually asked her about the three things that matter to her most.

She told me about her mom, her sister, and her addiction—to horses. I’ve read enough of her writing to know that horses were her drug of choice and her mom and sister were her support network.

I learned about her desire to become a teacher and how hours at the barn with her horse, Heart, recharge her when she’s exhausted. At one point, our rambling conversation turned to a topic I’ve known far too well—her father.

Later that evening, I received an email from Jodelle, and she had a lot to say. One line really struck me: “In so many movies, I have seen a dad wanting to protect his daughter from the world, but I’ve only understood the scene cognitively. Yesterday, I felt it.”

Long ago, I decided that I would never be a dad. I had seen movies with fathers and daughters, and for me, those movies might as well have been Star Wars, ET, or Alien—worlds filled with creatures I’d never know. However, over the years, I’ve attended Jodelle’s parent-teacher conferences, gone to her graduation, and driven hours to watch her ride Heart at horse shows. Simply, I showed up. I listened. I supported.

Jodelle shared a series of dad poems, as well. I had read the first two poems in their original form when Jodelle was my student. The revised versions revealed new graphic details of her past. The third poem, however, was something entirely different.

She called the poems my early birthday present. When I read the lines “You are my father figure/Who I look up to/Without being looked down on,” I froze for an instant and had to reread the lines. After fifty years of consciously deciding not to be a dad, I was seen as one—and it felt incredible. Jodelle’s poem and recognition were two of the best presents I’ve ever received.

I  know that I was the language arts teacher that Jodelle needed at the time, but her poem revealed things I never knew I taught her: “My father figure/ Who taught me/ That listening is for observing the world/ That listening is for learning/Not obeying/Writing is for connecting/Healing with others.”

Teaching is often a thankless job, one that frequently brings more stress and anxiety than joy and hope. Stress erodes my patience. Anxiety curtails my ability to enter each interaction with every student with the grace they deserve. However, my time with Jodelle reminds me of the importance of leaning in and listening.

In the article “Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age” by Nancy Hill, she illuminates how we “live among such remarkable people, yet few know their stories.” For the last twenty years, I’ve had the privilege to work with countless of these “remarkable people,” and I’ve done my best to listen, and, in so doing, I hope my students will realize what I’ve known for a long time; their voices matter and deserve to be heard, but the voices of their tias and abuelitos and babushkas are equally important. When we take the time to listen, I believe we do more than affirm the humanity of others; we affirm our own as well.

Charles Sanderson has grounded his nineteen-year teaching career in a philosophy he describes as “Mirror, Window, Bridge.” Charles seeks to ensure all students see themselves, see others, and begin to learn the skills to build bridges of empathy, affinity, and understanding between communities and cultures that may seem vastly different. He proudly teaches at the Wellness, Business and Sports School in Woodburn, Oregon, a school and community that brings him joy and hope on a daily basis.

From   The Author: Response to Charles Sanderson

Dear Charles Sanderson,

Thank you for submitting an essay of your own in addition to encouraging your students to participate in YES! Magazine’s essay contest.

Your essay focused not on what is important to you, but rather on what is important to one of your students. You took what mattered to her to heart, acting upon it by going beyond the school day and creating a connection that has helped fill a huge gap in her life. Your efforts will affect her far beyond her years in school. It is clear that your involvement with this student is far from the only time you have gone beyond the classroom, and while you are not seeking personal acknowledgment, I cannot help but applaud you.

In an ideal world, every teacher, every adult, would show the same interest in our children and adolescents that you do. By taking the time to listen to what is important to our youth, we can help them grow into compassionate, caring adults, capable of making our world a better place.

Your concerted efforts to guide our youth to success not only as students but also as human beings is commendable. May others be inspired by your insights, concerns, and actions. You define excellence in teaching.

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Essay 147 – The most important things in life are free

Gt writing task 2 / essay sample # 147.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Many people think that the most important things in life are free (i.e. they cannot be bought).

Do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer: [Agreement]

It is often said that many things in life, which are considered vitally important in life, cannot be purchased with money. I completely agree with the notion and we are lucky to have those most important things in life for free.

Money can buy so many things, but there are some crucial things, like happiness, that money cannot buy. A good place to begin is with a quote from Benjamin Franklin: “Money has never made a man happy, nor will it; there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness”. Money can just help people acquire earthly possessions, and no matter how much material ownership they have, if they do not feel deep gratitude and learn how to become contented, they will obviously never be satisfied. We can have the most basic necessity in life like the oxygen we breathe, the friends and family we are surrounded by in life are all for free.

Similarly, time is another precious thing in life that cannon be bought. No matter how rich an individual is, he cannot get the time back once it is gone. In fact, time is free for everybody, yet nobody can own it but use it. Each passing moment is the moment that will never get back. Despite the ridiculous progress of medical science, for example, there is no practical approach to extend our life significantly. Therefore, no sums of money can ever turn the clocks back. Finally, health is one of the key things in life money cannot purchase. No matter how rich a man is, she or he will never willingly trade health for money. In many real-life cases, people sacrifice their health in pursuit of wealth, which in turn, deteriorate their health. People, in fact, afford medical bills and expenses, but they can never recuperate their natural health once it has deteriorated.

We may draw the conclusion that the most crucial things in our life, like happiness, relationship, time, air, and health, in life cannot be bought with money and they are virtually free.

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Personal Essay Topics

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• Writing Essays
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• English Grammar
• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

A personal essay is an essay about your life, thoughts, or experiences. This type of essay will give readers a glimpse into your most intimate life experiences and life lessons. There are many reasons you may need to write a personal essay , from a simple class assignment to a college application requirement . You can use the list below for inspiration. Consider each statement a starting point, and write about a memorable moment that the prompt brings to mind.

• Your bravest moment
• How you met your best friend
• What makes your mom or dad special
• How you overcame a fear
• Why you will succeed
• Why you made a difficult choice
• A special place
• A place you try to avoid
• When a friend let you down
• An event that changed your life
• A special encounter with an animal
• A time when you felt out of place
• An odd experience that didn't make sense at the time
• Words of wisdom that hit home and changed your way of thinking
• A person that you do not like
• A time when you disappointed someone
• Your fondest memory
• A time when you saw your parent cry
• The moment when you knew you were grown up
• Your earliest memory of holiday celebrations in your home
• Times when you should have made a better choice
• A time when you dodged a dangerous situation
• A person you will think about at the end of your life
• Your favorite time period
• A failure you've experienced
• A disappointment you've experienced
• A surprising turn of events
• What you would do with power
• What superpower you would choose
• If you could switch lives with someone
• How money matters in your life
• Your biggest loss
• A time when you felt you did the wrong thing
• A proud moment when you did the right thing
• An experience that you've never shared with another person
• A special place that you shared with a childhood friend
• A first encounter with a stranger
• Your first handshake
• Where you go to hide
• If you had a do-over
• A book that changed your life
• Words that stung
• When you had the desire to run
• When you had the urge to crawl into a hole
• Words that prompted hope
• When a child taught you a lesson
• Your proudest moment
• If your dog could talk
• Your favorite time with family
• If you could live in another country
• If you could invent something
• The world a hundred years from now
• If you had lived a hundred years earlier
• The animal you'd like to be
• One thing you'd change at your school
• The greatest movie moment
• The type of teacher you would be
• If you could be a building
• A statue you'd like to see
• If you could live anywhere
• The greatest discovery
• If you could change one thing about yourself
• An animal that could be in charge
• Something you can do that robots could never do
• Your most unfortunate day
• Your secret talent
• Your secret love
• The most beautiful thing you've ever seen
• The ugliest thing you've seen
• Something you've witnessed
• An accident that changed everything
• A wrong choice
• A right choice
• If you were a food
• How you'd spend a million dollars
• If you could start a charity
• The meaning of color
• A close call
• Your favorite gift
• A chore you'd do away with
• A secret place
• Something you can't resist
• A hard lesson
• A visitor you'll never forget
• An unexplained event
• Your longest minute
• An awkward social moment
• An experience with death
• Why you'll never tell a lie
• If your mom knew, she'd kill you
• A kiss that meant a lot
• When you needed a hug
• The hardest news you've had to deliver
• A special morning
• How to Write a Narrative Essay or Speech
• 4th Grade Writing Prompts
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• What Is an Autobiography?
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Home — Essay Samples — Philosophy — Values of Life — My Personal Values in Life

My Personal Values in Life

• Categories: Values of Life

About this sample

Words: 773 |

Published: Jan 31, 2024

Words: 773 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, body paragraph 1: personal value 1, body paragraph 2: personal value 2, body paragraph 3: personal value 3, counterargument.

• Adler, M. J. (2000). The four dimensions of philosophy: Metaphysical, moral, objective, categorical. Routledge.
• Miller, W. R., & Thoresen, C. E. (2003). Spirituality, religion, and health: An emerging research field. American Psychologist, 58(1), 24-35.
• Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. Oxford University Press.

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Important Things are Free Essay Tips

A number of students reported this essay question in IELTS writing task 2. Many of you have asked me for ideas and tips about this essay. You can find step by step tips below. The essay below is called an Opinion Essay (however some teachers called it an “argumentative essay” or “agree/disagree essay”).

IELTS Essay Question

Some people think that the most important things in life are free and cannot be bought. To what extent do you agree?

Tips for this IELTS Essay

• Please note that the wording of the essay is “important things” not “important services”. You need to pay close attention to the words used in the essay so that you don’t change the meaning.
• appreciation of nature
• Each of the above cannot be bought using money – they are available to rich and poor alike.
• This essay is not about WHY they are free. You need to be very clear what the aim of the question is. The question is “do you think the most important things are free or do you think the most important things are not free and must be bought.
• health care
• electricity
• these items must be bought using money. Rich people get better quality food, housing, education etc than poor people who sometimes can’t afford even the most basic human necessities.
• Now you have brainstormed your ideas. What is your opinion? Do you think the best things in life are free? Or do you think the best things in life are not free?
• Your opinion must be written clearly in the introduction and explained in the body paragraphs.
• The thesis statement should be one sentence that presents your position (your opinion).
• You can start this sentence with : In my opinion or I think or I believe or something similar that shows YOUR own personal opinion. Don’t start it with “this essay”.
• See a range of different introductions for this essay question: Model Introductions

IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Essays

You can find more tips, free videos and model essays on this page: IELTS Writing Task 2 .

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i want to ask about agree/ disagree type questiona.

Shall we write our whole essay only on the side we agree/disagree OR we should write both sides of our agreement to clear the arguments….like if i agree to school children should participate only in team games rather than on individual interest games, then i should write another side benefits of playing individual games also ?????

OR shall i complete the all paragraphs on providing benefits of playing in team????

This will boost the scores or reduce it….

Thnks in advance……..

Please look at the model introductions for this lesson which explains it all. The link is provided on the page above.

Hello Liz …. I got 7.5 overall in the ielts exam… i watched ur vidz and learnt from them … coaching classes costed a lot … but i prepared myself and got this score … thank you so much for the lessons … Keep up the good work ☺️😇

Well done !! Good score 🙂

Hi Liz, I believe that this is not opinion essay and hence we need cover only one part to whom we agree, as there is nothing in the question like “Discuss both sides”. Could you please let me know if my understanding is correct. Thanks

Discuss both sides and give your opinion = a discussion essay which contains both sides as well as an opinion To what extent do you agree? = an opinion essay without a discussion

So, above will be an opinion essay without a both side discssion?

That’s right. An opinion essay requires your opinion and only your opinion.

Thanks a lot Liz I got L7.5,R6.5,W7,S7.5..just using your blog but want paid up lessons for reading..how do I get in touch with you?

Well done!! Sorry I don’t have paid lessons for reading at the moment.

I appeared on 11th of November, 2017 and had the same Task 2.

I appeared on 11th August 2022 and got same question

I believe that the most important elements in life such as family, friends, happiness, and love are for free. While on the other hand, material things such as medicine, shelter, clothes, and education which are also considered as basic necessity cost something.

In my opinion, we are being gifted many things like life, health, family and love that are totally free and priceless. However there are many things in life which are important and we have to be bought as necessities such as, food, healthcare, education, transport and house.

Hi liz i am really appriate for your support I have a question pleas tell me. I have a sentence : if a female student is the best candidate for a place on a course ,it would be wrong to reject her in favor of a male student . Here we used would in second sentence why did they use would instead of will . Is it corret if we use will?

Because it is hypothetical.

Elizabeth’s thesis:

In my opinion, I agree that the things that are really significant throughout life, and often not valued enough, are free and cannot be acquired with money. This essay will try to support this statement.

In my opinion, all important things in life are not free, some of them like family,health,love etc are priceless but some basic needs like food, shelter, education etc are priceworthy and ought to be bought. .

In my opinion,there are some essential things of life susch as hapiness,health and love which we acquire at no cost while education,housing and health care which are also critical to life must be paid for.

Here is my version of the introduction.

It is thought by some that the most valued things in life come at no monetary cost. In my opinion, I agree as overall health, family and friends are very important to a person.

In this hectic world . Many people think that everything can be bought which is unfortunately not true, as the most important things in life are priceless like health or happiness for examples. Money will stand still when it comes to such important and vital things in life like that.

Hi liz, This essay says to what extent u agree? Does it mean u cant disagree with the statement?

Do you agree? Do you agree or disagree? To what extent do you agree? To what extent do you agree or disagree? = all the same essay = all the same instructions.

Dear Liz does it mean therefore that in any “agree/disagree” essay there has to be a separate body paragraph for the opposing viewpoint?

What opposing view point? The whole essay explains YOUR opinion.

I believe God has gifted us certain necessities in life such as nature,health,family and love;however, there are other important things that we need in life that has to be bought.

Hello Ma’am, Please check it and point if found any mistake. It is commonly though that most significant things in a life are costless and there is no need to spend money on that, while other side, people have to spend on it.I definitely go with the given sentence that most vital things which we got from god are free, which I will discuss in below.

I believe, there is no doubt that most essential things of life, such as family, love and health come with no cost which can never be acquired in exchange of money.

In my point of view, the most esential things in our normal life are free and natural. However, to achieve them, we need to afford the human necessities which are bought by using money.

In my opinion, The best things in life are free however the most important things needs hardwork and money to avail it.

In my perspective. I believe the best things in life are free however most important things needs hardwork in order to avail it.

Hi liz, Thanks for the guidance. I have a doubt in one topic : Some ppl choose career for salary . other choose career according to whether they enjoy the work.

Ok does enjoyment mean work satisfaction here? Or going by passion? I need to understand this to give relevant points supporting my views.

It is about job satisfaction or salary.

Thanks liz.

In my opinion, I totally agree that money would never be able to buy the most valuable things in life, namely family and health, which are not only for free, but also priceless.

I completely agree with this as some of the things gifted to human such as family and health are free but irreplaceable whenever lost, making them more important than other necessities of life which can eventually be attained although at a price.

With the gradual merging of capitalism and modern lifestyles, it is arguably difficult to name a single thing today not yet materialized. However, it is believed many valuable issues in the world are still definitely unbuyable. From a personal prospective, Despite its rareness, things such as true friendship can not be offered for sale. This will be analyzed by looking at why real friendship is heavier lasts longer compared to paid one

In my opinion, free things are essential for life, but the basic needs of life which have to buy, are also significantly important to live a healthy life.

In my opinion ,i think that the most essential things of life ought not to be free and should be bought with money.

Hi Liz, Below is what I wrote as background n theisis.

There is a school of thought that, the most essential and intrinsic things of everyday life cannot be purchased. In my opinion, there are many strong reasons for advocating tbe above fact, as now will be explained below.

Is above correct?

Hi Liz, Here is my answer, please correct me if I’m wrong.

People have different opinion on whether or not the most important things in life can be brought. There are some strong arguments against the idea that those most important things in life can be free, I still believe that there are certain things that people cannot buy.

Some people believe that there is a price for everything, whereas they can get anything they wanted through hard-working. In doing so, people can buy their dream house and have good meals if they deserved it, therefore people will live their life with passion.

By contrast, in my opinion, I believe that the most important things in life are invaluable. Because in people’s loves, there are important things that cannot be brought by using money, such as intimacy and love. It is impossible to buy a life-long relationship such as family or friendship, in other words, people do not pay their parents, siblings, or any of their loved ones for their cares.

In conclusion, there is no doubt that money has a certain importance in people’s lives, but I still belie that there are important things that money cannot buy.

Liz has told you to write only the thesis not the whole essay but nevertheless you fid a good job by comparing things you can buy with money and those which are priceless,cannot be bought by money.

Most people believe that there are some important things in our life which can not be bought through money such as family, friends and health, these are the priceless and gifted by good. I definitely agree with the statement mentioned.

Some people have the perception of most crucial things in the world are cost free and cannot be purchased. However, in my opinion I agree that they are free analyzing both the family and health aspect of life.

For this essay I mentioned Air & Water as the most important things in life and explained why aren’t they free anymore. Is this alright? Did I go off-topic?

Thesis statement for the argumentative essay. It is said and it is also a fact that certain non_materialistic things like natural beauty, health care, love and family are those blessings which have been granted to us free to enjoy our life and if they’re lost once can’t be bought at any cost.

In my opinion, I agree most of the important things in life are free but not all because there are still important things like food, shelter, clothing etc that we still have to work for.

Hi Liz, Here’s my opinion.

People have different opinion on whether or not the most important things in life can be brought. There are some strong arguments against the idea that those most important things in life should be free, I still believe that there are certain things that you cannot buy. Some people believe that there is a price for everything, whereas they can get anything they wanted through hard-working. In doing so, people can buy their dream house and have good meals if they deserved it, therefore people will live their life with passion. By contrast, in my opinion, I believe that the most important things in life are invaluable. Because there are important things which cannot be brought by using money in our life, such as intimacy and love. It is impossible to buy a life-long relationship like family or friendship, in the other words, people cannot have intimacy and love through money. People do not pay your parents, siblings, any of your loved ones for their cares. In conclusion, there is no doubt that there is a certain importance of money in people’s lives, but I believe that there are important things that money cannot buy.

It is argued by some that extremely important things in one’s life are free of charge and no amount of money can buy them. However, I am of the opinion that a number of things, which are crucial for survival such as education , food, clothing and shelter to name but a few, can only be obtained by means of money.

It is argued by some that extremely important things in one’s life are free of charge and no amount of money can buy them. However, I am of the opinion that a number of things, which are crucial for survival such as food, clothing and shelter to name but a few, must be bought.

Thesis statement: In my perspective, Love, family relations and air are most important among those which we freely enjoy and I also belive that everyone relishes it all the time in their life’s.

(Ideas: Love – Mother’s love is unconditional right from the time we are in her womb.

Family relations: Everyone tends to remember their family members such as mother, father, grand parents which are most important relations being enjoyed for free from being a toddler till last breath.

Air: One of the five essential elements which is completely free and the only means of living which cannot be substituted.

– All the ideas are to be elaborated with some real life scenarios / examples if possible.

This is what I would write. Liz, Please do correct me and let me know if any changes are to be made. (My goal for writing task is 7 min)

It is argued by some that it is not possible to purchase the most valuable things in life. While I agree that certain qualities such as happiness, love and health cannot be bought, in my opinion, the most basic human needs such as food, housing and education can only be obtained, using money.

I entirely agree that some non material thing which ca not be bought are free for us and we accesse them freely.

Hi Liz I’m José, In my case here at Canada, I took the IELTS the last Saturday. And the writing task 2 was kind the same with the question. “Some people buy products because they are good and suits to what they need, that’s why advertising is unnecessary” They want me to say some advantages and disvatanges of that topic and also the question “for what extent I was agree?” Before the day test I was watching one of your videos and you say that something about “what extent” means. I said that I wasn’t completely agree with that statement… I hope I could get what they really asked.

Thanks for your tips for IELTS, and when I get my results I will post them here.

Free and the things which can not be bought are considered to be the most precious things in life. In my opinion, I agree that free and priceless values, such as family, friends, love and belief, are the most significant in life. However, I also believe that a piece of bread could be more necessary in the capitalistic system.

In some people’s opinion major things in life cannot be obtained by money, but are available to everyone equally for free. I certainly agree to this view like family, time, health which are most valuable assets, are free.

Hi Liz!!!!you are the most prominent and sublime teacher I ever met!!!!your materials are much helpful for ielts students…those who are sharing their successful experiences!!!!!I truly appreciate them!!!!!!! God bless you all!!!!I am facing huge problem in writing but getting some help from your tips and very slowly doing well in writing!!!!

I got to write in task 2 if govt should spend money on top athletes or on sports for everyone do send solution.

it is commonly thought that the most fundamental issues in our life are costless and we can not buy it. In my opinion, I totally agree with this idea as our families and our health are free, and they are certainly invaluable things in our lives.

Hello Liz, Thesis statement: From my perspective, I believe that family, sincerity and humbleness are among the most valuable things in life and, fortunately, they are all free.

Some people think that things that are really valuable to us cannot be bought with money. I would like to agree to this statement. Few of these priceless things are real happiness, good Health and true Relationships. Let’s explore about each of these in detail see what makes it truly priceless yet so valuable.

Firstly, happiness is one important thing that cannot be bought with money. Happiness is ones state of mind, with a feeling of being loved and being secure. Happiness that come from riches and wealth is temporary and doesn’t last long.

Secondly, good health is something that one has to attain over a long period of time. In order to stay fit and healthy, one may have to invest in good food and lifestyle. But that alone does not ensure good health. Health is a state of complete physical, social and emotional well being. For example, an end stage cancer patient, when doctors say that nothing can be done, if he has good moral support from friends and family and people to keep him happy, it will definitely help him to a large extent.

Last but not the least, true friendships and relationships are the ones that stay with us through thick and thin. Such relationships cannot be bought with money. Friendships that come with wealth and riches and wealth are temporary and not true.

Hence I would like to conclude that true happiness, good health and real relationships are keys to life and these priceless things are valuable yet free. As people get richer and wealthier, they tend to miss out on these precious things and that makes their life miserable.

I have scored band 7 for the above essay! Thanks for the tips.

Well done 🙂 Good news 😉

Introduction: Few people argue that the most essential things in life are free of cost and cannot be acquired by other means. I partially agree with this school of thought, as I believe that there are other things which holds an equal importance.

Waiting for your feedback, Liz.

Some people think that things that are really valuable to us cannot be bought with money. I would like to agree to this statement. Few of these priceless things are real happiness, True love, good Health and Relationships. Let’s explore about each of these in detail see what makes it truly priceless yet so valuable.

Firstly, happiness is one important thing that cannot be bought with money. Happiness is ones state of mind, with a feeling of being loved and being secure…..

In my opinion, i agree to some extend that the most important things in life are free however there are a number of basis necessities of life which are not.

it was my husband question yesterday….in KSA

thanks a lot

It was my question on 11th Nov in Khi Pakistan. Really a tough statement to write on it.

In my point of view, the most significant things like family, health, happiness and appreciation of nature are available to every human being without spending a peny whereas less important substances like residence, health care, a luxurious transport are bought against price.

I just chose one side n agreed with the statement. N the things i mentioned were health, time, intellect/wisdom. I mentioned that these things are most valuable and cannot be bought. In body paragraphs i explained these things in each paragraph. I didn’t mentio the things that we can buy like food, housing, car, food etc did i attempt in the wrong direction?

I mentioned time, happiness and health as the most important things in life and can not be bought.

In my opinion, I believe that every person has some personal exclusive things which cannot buy or it cannot be measured by money rather it’s a matter of feelings.

Some argue that most valuable things in life cannot be purchased and come at free of cost.I completely agree with the statement…

plz tell this approach of balanced view is appropriate? In my opinion, I strongly believe that things like family, health, wisdom, love are free, however, their maintenance does require some amount of finance.

I have tried and written the entire essay. Please suggest in case of any correction / improvements needed:-

Although some people believe that the most significant things in life are free of cost, other people think that most precious things in life are purchased through paying the price. In my opinion, I believe that the most key things in life are free of charge.

On one hand, few people think that the vital things in life are free of charge and I agree as well. In another words, these precious things are available in abundance to rich as well as poor in the same manner. For example, family, love, nature, health, air, water etc. There is no charge on these significant things and all of these are available to us in our life irrespective of being rich or poor. Furthermore, we must thankful, appreciate and preserve the nature and surrounding available resources which provide us almost all of these things in our life without charging us.

On the other hand, some people think that the valuable things in life are purchased through money. In other words, the key things are only available to us if we spend good amount of money on them. For example, food, clothes, housing, higher education, well lifestyle, car etc. These vital things are the basic human necessities and cannot be available to us unless we pay the higher price on them.

In conclusion, while people may differ in their views I think that most of the precious things in life are free of cost and as a human being we must appreciate for the same.

Regards, Vimal

Well written

Hi Liz, Thank you for doing what you do. Here is my thesis statement for this essay.

It is thought by some people that the most essential things in life are priceless and cannot be gotten with money. In my opinion, I totally agree that the most essential things in life are equally accessible both to the rich and the poor. Is this a good thesis or not? Thanks for being there

Hello Liz That is great tips. What is wrong with starting thesis statement by “This essay will…”? Thank you very much.

It doesn’t express your OWN opinion.

Ohh…many thanks.

Ok, can I write it like this ” In this essay, I will explain why most important things are free” Thanks

Your thesis statement should actually provide your answer – introduce your answer in the introduction and give the support in the body paragraphs.

In my view, I believe that the things we value much in life such as love and happiness are given freely, hence, cannot be traded.

In my opinion, I strongly believe that the most paramount things are not charged by a human.

Great work Liz. I paid soo much attention to the task 2 especially on food,housing,clothes and cars. I should be expecting Band 8 as usual…lol I started my essay this way

It is believed most valuable things of life should be free and not to be purchased. I totally dis-agree with this notion. In my BP1 I wrote about “value”. When things are bought with our hard earned money, we not only value it, we appreciate and maintain it and I related this to Clothing. If clothes are free everyone will just wear them and dump them. BP2 I related it to Council flats in UK…lol some of these flats are not as clean as they should be and the reason is simply because they are offered by the government FREE. BP3 I related it to Cars, if cars are free how will it be fuel? If Cars are free will the parts will also be free? People who got donated Cars careless on maintaining them nor replace their parts ontime because they do not value what they got for free. I also talk about Quality. Quality on things got for free can NEVER be compared to those that were Purchased. In my conclusion, after a brief summary on why things of life should not be free including education,transportation and health care{even though i didn’t discuss them in my BPs}. I ended my essay with “Nothing is free in Life even for those that live in FREELAND”…lol sounds funny

I think the important things in life are naturally made to be free

In the current question do we need to discuss both the sides or any one on which we agree or disagree… I took the exam and had the same question. I disagreed with the opinion and largely talked on points mentioned under disagree point as above.. am I right in my approach

here’s my thesis statement.tnx in advance for the feedback. “I believed that the most important things in life are free and is available to rich and poor alike.”

I got the same essay and was slightly confused in the begning.

In my Opinion, The best things in life are free such as Healhy relationships and Teachings from elders.

I wrote about the Relationships with our love ones; How relationships are important in being mentally well being and how they cannot be bought from money, and Teachings from elderly people such as Discipline, Punctuality are available free to youngsters, how these things will play a pivotal role later in future life; in a postive manner.

I explained these points in details with examples and concluded with my opinion. What do you think about the content of this essay I wrote? I hope I wrote the essay well.

Many Thanks for wonderful lessons.

Hi, I received this question in ielts general test held on 11 November 2017. I mentioned love and air as two important things.

Some people have perception that best things in life are free namely family,health,love etc.But,others reckon that there are many things which are not free and those are very necessery in life like food,clothes.I disagree with former view and this essay will discuss reasons before forming conclusion.

In my opinion, I believe that the most precious things in life are free of cost.

In my opinion, I think the most vital things in life should be free to choose and people do not have to buy them.

Hi, I’ve noticed people here write: In my opinion, I think/agree/believe.. Is it really better than just: In my opinion the most vital… I don’t have much experience in writing and it sounds weird to me.

Like if we talk about honesty and freedom… As the most important things

I completely agree with this view those who hold this view. In my opinion, most important things are free that cannot be bought by money.

I completely agree with sentence that Time which is most valuable and priceless thing.

Thanks much!

Dear Liz, I have given neutral opinion on this topic stating that eventhough some necessary things of life are free such as family, friends but other important things like cars, bank balance need to be earn. After that I have given justifications on both views in each body paragraphs. And then conclusion. Is this is correct way?

Hi Liz, My question is can we give neutral opinion also on this?

It is thought by some people that most of the important things that are available in our are free, which means they involves no cost. In my opinion, I agree that friends, family and real life knowledge are free.

Hi Liz, Please correct me if I am wrong… Can I begin like below: Though many people feel that best things are not freely available yet I, personally believe, that best things in life can not be bought with money rather can be get freely with love and care. I can better eludicate my point of view as below. Begin next paragraph with real life examples…

In my opinion I believe that most important things of life are free,because love,good health and family are the most significant things of life you get for free.

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What Does The Best Things in Life Are Free Mean?

Home » Phrase and Idiom Dictionary » What Does The Best Things in Life Are Free Mean?

The Best Things in Life Are Free Meaning

Definition: The most valuable things don’t cost any money.

This is a proverb that means those things that cost money should not be prioritized over free things like family and friends. Those free things are, in the end, worth more than anything money could buy.

If someone says that the best things in life are free, he means that when people have the choice between spending money and focusing on their families and friends, he should choose the latter.

This proverb is a reminder that money and objects are not the most important things in life.

Origin of The Best Things in Life Are Free

The song includes the following lyrics:

“The best things in life are free Now that I’ve discovered What you mean to me The best things in life are free Now that we’ve got each other The best things in life are free”

The song describes learning that a bond with another person is one of the “best things in life.”

Since the original musical, the song has been performed by many artists and regained popularity over and over throughout time.

Examples of The Best Things in Life Are Free

Someone might say, “The best things in life are free” to celebrate something that he enjoys that has no monetary value. For example, after spending a day on a hike through nature, someone may declare, “I had so much fun. The best things in life are free!”

Someone can also use this phrase as a warning,

• Remember, the best things in life are free.

This warning indicates that a person is forgetting about the things that truly matter in life.

More Examples

• The best things in life are free, including hugs. – USA Today
• The best things in life are free. Unfortunately, money isn’t one of those things. But don’t worry, it never was, so nothing lost. – Daily News

The phrase the best things in life are free expresses that happiness comes from places other than money and objects.

English for Academic Purposes

Agree/Disagree: The best things in life are free

57 thoughts on “agree/disagree: the best things in life are free”.

This is an excellent introduction, well done — &c.

Nowadays, some people that the best things in life are free and money cannot buy happiness.Therefore, I agree with these people. There are many reasons for my opinion, however the first , and most, important reason is to sit, chat speak with my family and friends that the best thing in our life. Secondly, when everyone want happy we will find it with out Money. Also, happiness it is important for everyone. In this essay, I will explain the important reasons.

This is a very good description, well done — &c.

There are many requirements in life, but there is one important thing to most people, and his our presence can do what we want it is money. In this essay I will write two reasons about that, I disagree that because the money it very important in our life and money allows you buy things that bring people closer together. Also money allows you the ability to travel, go to sporting and arts events, and experience fine dining. These things lead to positive memories, which influence happiness.

However, in terms of punctuation, remember that there is no space before full stops and commas, but always a single space afterwards. Please correct these punctuation errors and resubmit .

These days , some people think that the best things in life are free and money cannot buy happiness . Therefore , I strongly agree these people . There are two main reasons in my opinion . However in this essay I will give two reasons . The first reason money is very important in the life people can doing any thing they want for example shopping and travel and than people can feel happiness and secondly by money I can help poor people and make them happy

This is a very good introduction, all three parts are covered — &c.

In general, T t here are many things that we do. Some things cost us a lot but, some things do not cost any money and make you very happy. Therefore, I completely a gree agree with the idea of the best things in life are free. There are many reason support my opinion, however, in this essay I will give two. The first reason is the simple things when you do you feel more happy and save your money and secondly, best things make you more health y and have more vitality.

This is a very good (but a bit short) introduction, all three parts are covered — &c.

There are many things we like it in our life, and we call it the best things, and it is different from person to another. However some people think that free is the best thing in their life. I am completely disagree with them, because there are many things are the best, but they are not free for instance, traveling, shopping, eating delicious food and having big house with a Ferrari car.

These days, the most important in the life is money. Some people feel happiness when they have money and they can doing anything do they want. Therefore, I completely agree with the point money can buy happiness because I can get anything I want. Also, the meaning of happiness for me are travel, shopping and Buy everything new in the world of technology because I like do that. There are many reasons for my opinion, however, in this essay I will explain some reasons the two key ones .

There are many best things in the life some of them are free and other is not free. Many people do not have a lot of money to get what they want. So, I disagree with the people who think the money can not buy the best things and happiness. There are two important reasons for my opinion, the first one is the best things is eating and food it is not free. Second, traveling is best thing but we should have to spend money to do this .

This is an excellent introduction, all three parts are covered — &c.

Money is not everything to be happy. Some people think that money is important in your live. I think this is a bad idea. So I think the true happiness is with family and friends. I agree . In this essay, I will give two reasons to support my opinion. First, some people have a lot of money but they are not happy because they are sick. Second, some people feel happy around big families, sincere friends and maintaining good health, this is true happiness; because it is important to remember that money doesn’t last.

Some people think the that money is not important in life to by happy.I agree with this idea.In my essay, I will give tow two reasons to support my opinion. First, happiness is thing which are we feeling in the hart we can not buy it, happiness is love the family, country and safe. Second, the people have much money buy the thing do not needed in the life,they are do not feel good directions for the money value,they have which especially if they are not help ing the other poorer people.

Some people think the money is everything in this life and anther people opposite with this people and say the money cannot buy happiness. Therefore, I completely agree with the point of the best things in life are free. There are many reasons for my opinion, however, in this essay I will give two. The first reason is because when you spend your time with your friends or your family is without money, and secondly the health is very the most important thing in this life and when you are sick your life will not be good even if you have millions of rupees .

Some people think the best things in life are free. In my opinion, I completely agree with the point of view of best things in life are free. There are many reason s for my opinion, however, in this essay I will give two reasons. The first reason is because we can spend time with family, and secondly the working is for free, because the life without work would be boring and pointless .

Everybody in this live , they think in different way , many of them thinks that money is not all things in the live but other people they thinks in other way . I agree with the point of some people thinks that bast things in the live are free . There are many reasons for my opinion in comparison , in this essay l will give you two reason s . The first reason is we can spend time with family and we don’t do not have to pay money . Secondly the nature can see with out pay money .

This is a good introduction, all three parts are covered — &c.

Nowadays, some people think the money is everything and you will be happy but, this is untrue you can be happy without money. Of course I agree with these people the money can not buy happiness and the best things in life no need to buy it. There are two reasons support my opinion if you are sick do not need to buy medicine because it is free and spend your time with your family and friends.

This is a good introduction but, only two parts are covered — &c.

Nowadays, the some people think that best things in life are free. In my opinion, I disagree this idea and I will give two reason to support me. First, when anyone want to go to the shopping we need the money to buy anything. Also, if anyone does not have money, we will feel sad and angry. And, this feel ing may make anyone to do anything do get money even if illegal, and these make a big problem for all.

In this day in age (or “These days” ) , some of people think money is very important so, people study and work only to get money. As I see, the life with a little money is better than more money. Also, I have many reasons about my opinion but, I will give two reasons. Firstly there are some king s who have a lot of money but, kings can not buy their healthy. Secondly, there are many of poor family feel reset and freedom with out money.

Life and money can’t cannot buy happiness. I agree with these people, because the money is not every thing. Money a way of life and not an end of life, we need money to live and do not live for money. In this essay I will explain two reasons to support my opinion. First, the money not buy every thing around you. secondly, F f riends and family are making happiness without money.

There are a lot of beautiful things in life are not sold like love and motherhood and attention.To be happy does not mean that should you have money. There are many poor people, but they happy more than rich people. It is argued by some people that the best thing in life are free and that, money cannot buy happiness. I agree withe this opinion and I have two reasons to support my opinion. In this essay I will write and discuss the reason s which made me agree with e this opinion (here “idea” would be a better word) . First, money cannot buy happiness and the natural places is more comfortable than manmade places. Secondly, nothing is more important than health even if you have a lot of money.

This is a good (but short) introduction, all three parts are covered — &c.

Happiness vary depending on the individual’s personality. Some people think that the money con not cannot buy happiness. I agree with this people. Money can buy a bed but can not buy the sleep also money can buy the clock, but can not buy the time. When I see happiness people I feel optimism. Happiness is greater than money.

Nowadays, there are a lot of people think the best things in the life are free. I agree with this idea. In this essay I will provide two key reasons. That will be support my opinion. Firstly there are a lot of things can not be purchased such as parents love, talents and good health. Secondly, happiness, comfort and reassurance. That are important things in the life and it is gift from god. Furthermore, you do not need any money to get that.

These days some people thinks the best things in the life are free, and that money can not buy happiness. I agree with that, because the money is not all my life. My parents are the best things in my life. Some people love the money and they think, they can be happy and do every thing they wont it to do buy money. But in my opinion they are wrong i I can not buying the comfort or happiness with money. So it is not every thing.

These days some people thinks the best things in the life are free, and that money can not buy happiness. I agree with that, because the money is not all my life. My parents are the best things in my life. Some people love the money and they think, they can be happy and do every thing they wont it to do buy money. But in my opinion they are wrong I can not buying the comfort or happiness with money. So it is not every thing.

These days, there are some people think the best things in life are free because they think free things in life will make them happy. However, I disagree that the best things in life are free. There are many reasons to support my opinion, in this essay I will focus on the two key ones. The first reason is because for many people the bast thing in life is shopping and buy nice things that will costs money, and the second reason is most people the like traveling and stay ing in hotel and that costs money and are is not free.

This is excellent overall in terms of length and content. — &c.

Generally, in life the best things if you have loads of money, you can have anything you wanted for,you can even buy a fabulous shoes some say we or you can buy happiness well it does, but we do not forget being free there is lots of consequences,being free. we sometimes forget many things in life just maybe for fun, because we do not have the hardship and do not forget one thing money is the roots of evil in life. We can spent time being free in these world but what is the outcome for these are we doing good or bad for these.?! Somehow and I can agree for these being free or having tons of money you can do whatever you want it.Think about it everybody agree for that,but we should know how to balance out things in life though. Secondly, the same time I would disagree for being free jut because what we gonna happen if in these worlds if everybody is free think about it could be in chaos.

Free = Things that do not cost money

Freedom = Being able to do whatever you want

In this life there is something special makes you feel like you possess the world, it is those things that we do not need money to get it these are that make you feel happy b . Because of that, I disagree with people who think that money is the happiness they believe this because they do not have those things that are even more valuable than money and the money does not define the ethics of the person. There are two key reasons to example that support my opinion the first one is , emotions and feelings we do not need to buy them and the second reason is , health, family and friends never replacing or sell the money.

In this day ( These days or, In this day in age ) , some people think you can by the best things in life are free but anther other people they cost money. In this essay, I will write two reasons for me agree with the people think you can by the best things with out money. First, when we spend time with family we don’t do not to pay money. Second, the nature can see with out pay money.

This is a good (but short) introduction, only two parts are covered — &c.

Now a days,people think the the best thing in our life are free. However I disagree with that. Iwill give two reasons in this essay. First reason money is imprtant (?) becouse (?) it’s give you opportnuity (?) to do a lot of things. Secondly it’s give you chance to help poor people from the money.

These days, the world is evolution and all people we want something to live and improve their life. There four Therefore , I agree with the idea that some people that the best things in life are free and money can not buy happiness.There are many reasons for my opinion, however, in this essay I will give two reasons. The first reason is because money cannot buy health and wellness can not buy from money and secondly, there is when we sit with our family and talk to them, this is true happiness.

This is a good introduction, but it is too short — &c.

All of us would do any t hing just to be happy . However , it’s impossible to buy happiness by money . Many people agree that happiness can be bought by money , while I disagree with that because human is the one who can create the happiness not money . In addition , money won’t last forever .

Some people feel that the secret of the happiness is money. Money brings for us the happiness in many things.However, there are things that money can not buy it. such as friends and family and love. I agree that money is not the secret of happiness because (very good) , the first reason, let us think about our self only and to be selfish. make your friends ignore you. (I am not too sure what these reasons mean?)

Some people think that the best things in life are free and that money can not buy happiness. When people have money, they can doing any thing but, can not buy the good relationship with their families and friends. I agree with this these people because they can not buy the happiness while using the money and many people have the money but, they are not happy. Secondly, they can use the money in travel and shopping but, can not use it in their relationship with their parents.

These days, money can not buy happiness and the good life, but the friendly relations and love, that’s what a new study revealed what people actually appreciated. Therefor e , I completely agree with the point of view of the good life is the key to happiness, not money. There are many reasons for my opinion, however, in this essay I will give two. The first reason is because true happiness breed of self and can not be provided by any object in the universe for us It’s it leads to a nice in life, and secondly happiness her key conviction and conviction something very precious and missing these days.

This is quite good, but a bit too short — &c.

Also, in terms of punctuation, remember that there is no space before full stops and commas, but always a single space afterwards. Please correct these punctuation errors and resubmit .

Nowadays , you can see differences type of people like rich people and poor people.However, some people think that the best things in life are free and that, money cannot buy happiness.I agree with this people. I have important reasons for my opinion is some body have a lot of money but they can not buy health. Other reason you can see happiness family they do not have a lot of money.

In this day Some people think that best thing in life are free ,but anter people they cast mony money , I agree beacous If anyone live with her family me doesn’t need to many to mahe (?) happy only the family must fahappiness (?) ,Also anyone spend time with my friends he make up happiness and fun .

The money not all thing in life there are important thing like happiness. Many people think the best things in life are free , I agree with this. In this essay I will explain two reasons . The first reason is because the money is hard to get it easily and second reason we can do everything without the difficulty.

Everybody in this live, they think in different way, many of them think s that money is not all things in the live but other people they thinks in other way. I agree with the point of some people thinks that bast best things in the live are free. There are many reasons for my opinion in comparison, in this essay l will give you two reasons. The first reason is we can spend time with family and we do not have to pay money. Secondly the nature can be see n without pay ing money.

In this life , there are some people think the best things in life are free because they think free things in life will make them happy. However, I disagree with thous people who think in this way . There are many reasons to support my opinion, in this essay I will focus on the two key ones. The first reason is because for many people the bast best thing in life is shopping and buy many things that will costs money, and the second reason is most people like traveling and staying in hotel and that costs money and are is not free.

However, in terms of punctuation, remember that there is no space before full stops and commas, but always a single space afterwards. Also, new sentences start with capital letters. Please correct these punctuation errors and resubmit .

Some people think the money is everything in the live to be happy . And I think the true happiness is Without a money and we should enjoy the time with family and friends .in this essay, I will give two reasons to support my opinion. First, some people feel happy around big families,friends and maintaining good health. second,the health is very important thing in this life and Without this health the life will not be good and the people are they sick they will feel unhappy throughout their lives.Even if they have money .

Some people think the money is everything in the live to be happy . And I think the true happiness is Without a money and we should enjoy the time with family and friends .in this essay, I will give two reasons. First, some people feel happy around families,friends and good health. second, the health is very important thing in this life and Without this health the life will not be good and the people are they sick they will feel unhappy throughout their lives.Even if they have money .

Depending to what people think and what I think ,The best things in life are free,because if we imagines that we are paying for every thing in our life spicily In our country,like paying for hospitals,schools,parks,beaches….act,that will be a trouble thing because there is some poor people they need to be happy and have a best things but they can’t pay for that,so what should they do.? Even if other people have money they will spend it for the most important things that they think it’s important,then They are not forced to wast them money for every thing,so we must have some thing in our life called FREE.

These days ,money is important in people’s lives . Some people think that the best things in life are free and money cannot buy happiness . Therefore , I strongly agree these people . There are two main reasons in my opinion . However in this essay I will give two reasons . The first reason money is very important in the life people can doing any thing they want for example shopping and travel and than people can feel happiness and secondly by money I can help poor people and make them happy , I will explain the reasons

These days, some people that the best things in life are free and the money cannot buy happiness. Actually, I agree with these people. There are many reasons for my opinion. The first reason, when I visit my friends and set with my family I don’t pay money so I feeling happy and I feel save behind my my family and my friend. The second reason, healthy body, I think that is the most important things in this life, because I feel happy and I can do anything when my body is healthy and do not have pain. So the happiness can got it free but should you think are the family and healthy make you happy or a lot of money and a lot of pain?!

In these days,difficult to get a life of well-being is an effort to get money. But the presence of friends,family and health priceless. So I agree on this thing,just sit down with the likes of happiness itself do not buy the highest bidder.The presence of friends and family around to check on you and talk with you and sit beside you and help you this also happiness,And also health does not exist for the life of others so do not buy a blessing and presence he wishes a lot of patients.

Some people think that the best things in life are free. In my opinion I disagree with them . I have two resinous, first some people like to spend their money for sopping and traveling. Secondly some people think that things are boring . In this essay i will explain this resinous .

In life they have special things you don’t need buy it. People believe that best things in life are free, however i agree with this people because money is not every thing in life. So i will discuss two reason for best things in life are free. first reason is set with your family so we don’t need money to be happy and have your family with you, second reason is when you sleep you don’t spend money you only go to the bed and sleep in every time you need .

Nowadays,some people think that the best things in life are free,and they do not have to buy for it. Actually,I agree with them for many reasons.Firstly,the natural is free,so we can have relax without money. Relaxing is one of the best things in life. Secondly, sleeping is free, we can sleep any time we want. Thirdly,the most important reason is that we do not have to buy for having a good health.

These day, some people think that the best things in life are free and that, money cannot buy happiness. Therefore, I disagree with this idea. There are many reasons for my opinion, however, in this essay I will give two. The first reason is because at the moment the money is important in life. The second reason is because now the money is what brings happiness to the people.

Writing about this topic is so important to write about. So, In this essay. I’m going to give a look at this subject, showing my analysis about why I agree the best things in life are free.There are many reasons the first reason is that money cannot buy happiness the natural places is more comfortable then man made place. Moreover, there are another reason that give us more explanation, nothing more important then health even if I have a lot of money. So, in the following lines I will explain that all.

The money can not buy the happiness, I agree that the best things in life are free, however most of people do not believe that. In this essay I will show you my reasons for why I agree that the best things in life are free. My first reason is that the free places is without constraint and you can do what ever you want. The second reason is that the best free thing in life is the health, you can not feel happy if you have disease.

Newadays, there are many mixing univirsities in the would, moreover some people believe this thing (What thing?) . Howover I think the males and females should not study in the same classroom at univirsities in the UAE, because many parents not allwd for there girls to studies in mixing univirsities.

Please can you correct the following spelling mistakes and/or incorrectly used words: Newadays univirsities Howover allwd

The money not all thing in life there are important thing like happiness. Many people think the best things in life are free, I agree with this. In this essay I will explain two reasons. The first reason is because the money is hard to get it easily and second reason we can do everything without the difficulty.

In this life, there are some people think the best things in life are free because they think free things in life will make them happy. However, I disagree with thous people who think in this way. There are many reasons to support my opinion, in this essay I will focus on the two key ones. The first reason is because for many people the bast best thing in life is shopping and buy many things that will costs money, and the second reason is most people like traveling and staying in hotel and that costs money and are is not free.

In this life we have many best things but some people think that the best things in life are free. Some people disagree with this opinion, also me. In this essay I will give you two reasons for why I disagree with this idea. The first reasons is because they likes to cost her money in the mall or shopping. The second reasons is because they spend money for buy many cars or things that it’s make them happy.

The happiness is the must important thing in the life that’s more important than money , everyone likes to live with it. In this essay I will give two reasons about the people who’s agree with the pest thing in the life is free, I agree with them because I think the best thing is sleeping and take a rest from work and stay at home because that’s good for body and health, however the best things is spend a time with family’s and friends that’s and stay together makes they life easy and comfortable, and that’s are what everybody wants.

These days, many people thinks the pest think in life are free and that, money cannot buy happiness. Hawever, I disagree with this idea. There are many reasons in my opinion. In this essay I will gives two. The first reason is, some people they like to cost her money in the mall or shopping also same place to feel comfortable they wil cost. In addition, the second reason is, they spend money for buy many cars or things that it’s makes them happy.

All of us want happiness in his life. It argued by some people that the best things in life are free and money cannot by happiness. Therefore, I disagree with this opinion. I will gave two reasons to support my opinion. The first reason is because when you have a money you can buys every things you need like , foods, medicines, entertainment, and necessity needs. The second reason is because if I don’t have I the money how can i spend my life . In addition the happiness does not lie existence except the existence of money.

Many people like to have free life and they have nothing to do, they think life without works will be happy and the money don’t buy happy life, in my opinion I agree people have free life because they spend time with family, also they have comfortable and interesting life, secondly working is for free life without work would be boring.

In life there are a lot of things that do not need to buy and also there are things that should buy to get them. These days, some people think that the best things in life are free. However, I agree with this opinion. There are many reasons for my opinion, however the first and important reason is sleep because it is important for health and do not need to buy it. Second, spend time set with family and friends.

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The Best Things In Life: Definitely Not Free: Exemplar Essay To Follow

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Human , Life , Happiness , Free , Success , Health , World , People

Published: 03/30/2023

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The Best Things In Life: Definitely Not Free

The cherished dream of every human being is surely the life full of happiness, health and success. Everybody strives to obtain these best things, struggling to choose the right path among different life choices. Though these things may seem rather simple at first sight, they are also the most precious in the whole universe. On the one hand, people are never charged for them, so they could be considered absolutely free. On the other hand, they will not unexpectedly drop into the outstretched palms of those who make a wish. Nothing in this world can be achieved without hard work, personal sacrifice, as well as certain amount of resolution and great effort, particularly the best things. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs there exists special amount of moral and physical needs without which any human being cannot survive (Wahba, 1976). Family, friendship, success, as well as food, water and health are vital needs that every person longs to possess. This strong human desire stimulates each individual to press for them through toil, time, sweat and tears. Only those who are not afraid to carve their way through various challenges and everyday difficulties will be able to achieve the best attainable things in life. Happiness is definitely the first example among the many things that are believed to be the best in life. It is not only about pursuing some great intentions, but noticing beauty all over and enjoying every single moment. Happiness is closely connected with the feeling of satisfaction and can be examined through such aspects as the family, working environment, fast friendship and hobby to devote oneself. If these wonderful things were verily free, there would not even exist cases of broken families, indignant and envious workers or insidious faithlessness of friends. The world would resemble an ideal paradise, where journey of happiness never actually ends. Today’s reality, however, is far from such idyllic haven. In order to come nearer to the desired happiness, people should be willing to commit self-sacrifice and put needs of others before their own. In the family, for example, it means that parents always try to bring joy, at first, to their children and each other and only then think about their own selves. This not only proves the unconditional love, elements of patience and responsibility, but also the everlasting ability to forgive and forget. Thus, happiness is indeed, a demanding and strict master that will only welcome and share with those who are ready to give something in return. Speaking about health, it is not definitely free at all. Every human being should be very disciplined and pushing to maintain healthy lifestyle and enjoy a body free of pain and illnesses. The health rules include eating the right food, keeping to a diet and regular exercise. Truly speaking, not everyone is able to get accustomed to such severe regimen. It requires a good amount of effort to refrain from certain food or refuse from it at all. Moreover, people should be very pertinacious to work out routinely and stick to the planned goals. Finally, success is the best thing in life that is extremely difficult to obtain, if one is not ready to toil for it. In order to get the key to success, the person should be determined, courageous and gritty. No matter how twisted, prickly and meandering the road to success could be, the final destination is worth of long hours of travelling. Only self-motivation, perseverance and innovative spirit will open the door of success. In conclusion, if the best things in life were free, the world would be just a perfect heaven. The fact that people have to struggle for their happiness and press for making their way in the world, strengthen their character and build patient and enduring spirits.

Wahba, Marcelle. (1976). Maslow reconsidered: A review of research on the need hierarchy theory. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 15 (2), 212-240.

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You don't have to live in a Blue Zone to reach 100. These 4 things will maximize your chances, according to a lifespan expert.

• Alyson van Raalte is a demographer who researches why some people live longer than others.
• You don't need to live in a Blue Zone to reach the age of 100, she said.
• Not smoking, having an active mind, and a thriving social network could help you live longer. 

Blue Zones , the five places worldwide where people reach the age of 100 at unusually high rates, seem to hold all the answers to living for as long as possible. But an expert said there are four things we can do to increase our longevity, no matter where we live.

Alyson van Raalte, who leads research into lifespan inequalities at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Germany, told Business Insider that although traditional ways of life are often used to explain the high proportion of centenarians in Blue Zones such as Costa Rica and Okinawa, Japan, that doesn't paint the whole picture.

"Only the most robust people in the population are actually even making it to older ages," she said, meaning those who die younger aren't around to lower the average age. It's also difficult to isolate each aspect of a person's life in studies to prove what's helping them live longer .

How long a person lives mostly comes down to their genes, life circumstances, and things we can't predict, van Raalte said. For instance, identical twins will likely have similar lifespans, even if one eats better and exercises more than the other — unless something unexpected happens, like one gets sick or is involved in an accident.

However, van Raalte said, there are certain things you can do to maximize your chances of living to 100 .

Don't smoke

Not smoking is the only lifestyle factor proven to help you live longer , van Raalte said. The places where people live longest on average — East Asia for women and Western Europe for men — are also the places where they are least likely to take up smoking.

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According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smokers are three times as likely as non-smokers to die of any cause.

"You need to do some kind of exercise," van Raalte said.

There's no evidence that one type of exercise is better for longevity than another, though, as it would be difficult to assign a person to only do one activity for their whole lives and study them, she said.

Research suggests that a combination of cardio and strength training is best for health, but BI previously reported that you don't have to go to the gym to reap the benefits of exercise for longevity .

Keep your mind active

As well as staying physically fit, an active mind is also important for longevity, van Raalte said.

Heidi Tissenbaum, a molecular, cell, and cancer biology professor who researches healthy lifespans, previously told BI that one of the basics of longevity is making new connections in the brain through activities such as reading and learning new skills.

Have a social network

People in southern Europe tend to live longer than those in northern Europe, and also tend to have stronger family ties, van Raalte said. In northern Europe, people are more likely to put older family members in care homes and live separately.

This difference in lifespan could be due to differences in climate, smoking patterns, or other factors, but socializing still appears to be important for longevity, she said.

Gerontologist Professor Rose Anne Kenny previously said that having strong friendships appears to be just as important for longevity as diet and exercise are.

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