People have been asking this question for a long time.  The Greek, Chinese and Roman "thinkers" whose names are now almost common wrote about this matter and suggested various means to experience the "good life."  Most people today may not study philosophy or world religions to find answers to their questions about the good life but everyone is looking for such a condition.  Commercials are designed to convince us that our lives will be better with a certain car, trip or adult beverage.  We are led to believe that the well off ones have the perfect circumstances because they have health, wealth and time.  However, Jesus (who we believe is brilliant) had something to say about the good life.  He taught us that the well off are those who are living in the Kingdom of God.  Their circumstances may not be perfect and other people may not think highly of them but having the blessing of the King of kings ought to make us stand up and shout!  Our study this week in Matthew 5 is going to make some of those who have been in church a long time scratch their heads.  The Beatitudes have often been viewed as a "means to blessing" rather than a state of blessedness.  It all depends if you are taking the grace road or the guilt road.  We'll be walking the grace road and hopefully begin to see how blessed we really are...if we are Kingdom people.