1  "A Good Life" in Korea Times (이선호) 원제혁 78 2004-09-19
이선호동문이 Korea Times에 아래와 같이 기고를 하였다. 고등학교때 영어를 잘하더니 끝끝내 영어를 잘 하시는 군요.
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A Good Life


By Lee Sun-ho
“Well-being” is the buzzword these days, regardless of location or background. In Korea, the concept can also be referred to as ``chamsam (true living),’’ in a refined translation. I think perhaps the idea of ``well-being’’ in Korean society has developed over many decades with people telling each other sarcastically to ``eat well, live well,’’ meaning without illness. In other words, it can be interpreted as the general desire to be healthy. It is about feeling physically and mentally better about life through a variety of methods, including eating organic food, having a nature-friendly residence and emphasizing health over material wealth or social prestige. The term ``well-being’’ is used in Finland to describe a new way of combining different components of happiness.

I have heard the new expression well-being numerous times in recent years, perhaps almost everyday. The popular term has been used in reports in the mass media, in seminars and presentations, in marketing advertisements, and in describing commercial products using high-quality all-natural ingredients.

A person’s well-being can be enhanced in a variety of ways. For example, aromatherapy can bring benefits to a consumer. For a company, it would mean being built on a foundation of integrity, teamwork and a commitment to excellence. The Well-Being Concept, Inc. is a health, fitness and nutrition consultancy for all age groups. ``Good health, good life’’ is a representative catch phrase used by SporWorld, a health club I go to everyday.

I guess well-being must be a comprehensive reference manual for people in their daily lives. The essence of a person’s well-being can be divided into two different realms.

The first is the well-being of the intangible self _ emotional, mental, psychological, or spiritual. Such mental well-being plays a vital role in maximizing the development of different skills. This subjective well-being relates to a field of psychology that attempts to understand people’s relationship with healing, prosperity and family welfare. In response to the dramatic increase in obesity among children and adolescents in the United States, Wellspring, Inc. has developed a so-called ``well-being program.’’

The second is the well-being of the tangible self _ commercial, economic, financial or physical. Today’s economy is characterized by globalization, expansion and technical dependence on the financial growth of select firms. Different scales of well-being gauge how people are faring at the household level. Included is the possession of consumer durables, housing conditions and neighborhood environment. Personal or household income is generally regarded as the single best means of calculation, but it fails to take other important factors into account. In fact, individual well-being is judged by some simply based on its fundamental worth.

I am strongly convinced that an emphasis on well-being strengthens vitality in all deeds and work, and encourages one’s heart. Maintaining a state of well-being over the long term enhances the metabolism of the brain, improving one’s ability to concentrate.

Undoubtedly, well-being is currently being highly valued. In order to achieve a desirable level of well-being life at the level of society, each individual has to make the best use of his or her opportunities.

A state of well-being can be attained only through constant positive efforts, with one’s will set on overcoming any challenge or obstacle to find the missing ingredients for profound and authentic well-being.

Only then will one eventually be able to enjoy a life full of joy.

The writer is an outside director of Kukdong Oil and Chemicals, in Yangsan, South Kyongsang Province.



kexim2@unitel.co.kr


08-27-2004 18:54
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