I have written about this in the past. I suppose it is inevitable that I will repeat myself. I will justify it by saying, there are those that have not read my past postings and so I do them a service. Sounds right to me. I was reminded of a phrase used often when I was growing up. This particular phrase is a portion of a dialect not really spoken anymore. The internet informs me it is a phrase used often by Maine lobstermen. Maybe that is where the term originated, but I doubt it. Well I’ll leave that mystery to a linguist. It is one of those phrases that sums up an idea or concept into a neat little package. It may hold some different meanings for some, but the basic thought will be the same. The phrase is experiencing a small revival I believe by those wishing to preserve their heritage, their ” native ” tongue so to speak. It is also being used by those that wish to appear ” native. “
 This was brought to mind once again by those ” quality of life ” advertisements and proponents on television. They like to imply that our ” quality of life “can be improved by their products or services. Basically they are saying you can buy a better quality of life. I find it annoying. Just what is the message being sent ? The message is that given enough money, or free programs to provide you with certain goods or services, the quality of your life will be improved. You have a ” right ” to these things ! Some even imply that this ” right ” is in the Constitution ! Your quality of life has nothing to do with you personally, it is a matter of goods and services ! Well, by God bub, another of those old phrases I often heard, that isn’t what I was taught.
 The phrase that comes to mind is ” The finest Kind. ” It would be used as in saying, he was the finest kind. The meaning was that the person was a good person, kind and generous. It was a grade on that person’s ” quality of life. ” The finest kind, the finest quality. It was this that I was taught, not directly, but learned slowly over time. It was something that was just stated as fact but borne out by the actions of others. The lesson was simple enough but complex in the understanding. I put it this way, ” the quality of your life is not measured by the things you do for yourself, but rather by the things you do for others. ” That is what I was taught, by example. That is why all this ” quality of life ” stuff I hear about irritates me so. Why it is nothing more than being self centered ! The quality of my life has nothing to do with material possessions or the things I want. I’ll give you another little nugget of wisdom that I was taught. The things we deny ourselves are the things that open the gates of heaven. Another simple statement, but complex in it’s message and meaning. Doing the right thing is not always easy or fun but it remains the right thing. Do not try to rationalize wrong into right. The immediate results may seem favorable, but there is an eternity to be concerned with.
 The notion that ” quality of life ” is the same as happiness is one of those rationalizations that should be avoided. Happiness is a different state of mind altogether. True happiness stems from belief. From faith comes love. True love has no expectations, only hope. It is in that understanding that a ” quality ” life begins and flourishes. That is the quality of life you should be seeking. You can’t purchase it. Faith, hope and love, these three and the greatest of these is love. Sound familiar ? Even the Beatles knew, money can’t buy me love.