Bad But Good Life: A Contemplation on Unity and Self-Worth

This essay explores the paradox of “Bad But Good Life.” It reflects the truth that even when we are judged as “bad” by others, we can still be “good” for life itself. To live this way means to serve existence beyond personal opinions, to contribute to unity, and to recognize that life’s puzzles—though sometimes bitter like medicine—are hidden blessings. It is not approval that defines us, but our contribution to the flow of life.

Only such experiences of life, which seem like puzzles, can be called “medicine” or “vaccination”.

The medication or vaccination may be unpleasant or considered harmful by individuals due to potential side effects or discomfort. However, they are ultimately beneficial to life as they help prevent and treat diseases, save lives, and improve overall health, regardless of a person’s circumstances.

Beyond Personal Judgments

When I say, “I am bad or wrong for everyone,” it is not a confession of guilt but an acknowledgment of how others may perceive me. People measure life through their personal flows, their desires, their beliefs, and their expectations. From such a standpoint, anyone can appear “bad” or “wrong.”

Yet, this very recognition frees me. I do not live to satisfy individual flows of life, nor do I shape myself to be “right” for everyone. Instead, I live from my own experience, and from that experience, I focus on something larger—the unity of existence itself.

Goodness as a Universal Force

The second part of the statement, “I am just good for life,” reveals the essence of self-awareness. Goodness is not measured by approval but by contribution. To be good for life means to live in alignment with nature, to recognize that every being—no matter how flawed or misunderstood—adds to the nourishment of existence.

Just as rivers carve the land, storms cleanse the skies, and even decay enriches the soil, so too does every person hold a hidden value. To be “good for life” is to trust the deeper nature of one’s being, to know that beyond appearances, one sustains the greater flow.

The Puzzle of Life as Blessing

Life often arrives like a puzzle, appearing contradictory or confusing. What seems harmful or unpleasant may, in truth, be a hidden blessing.

Just as medicines may taste bitter or carry side effects but ultimately heal, so too do difficult experiences act as medicine for the soul. They prevent stagnation, awaken new strength, and save us from deeper illness. They may feel like burdens, but in reality, they are blessings in disguise, guiding us toward wholeness.

Closing Reflection

To live in this awareness is to accept both “bad” and “good” as inseparable. For even when judged by the world, one can remain faithful to life itself. And life, in return, reveals its true nature: a continuous flow where every being, every event, every puzzle, and every blessing belongs.

Thus, the true art of living is not to be good in the eyes of others, but to be suitable for life itself.

Quotes

“I may be bad or wrong for everyone but I will always be good for life.”

“Goodness is not measured by approval but by contribution.”

“If God is in all, how can I make a difference between one life and another?”

“What seems harmful or unpleasant may, in truth, be medicine for the soul.”

“The true art of living is not to be good in the eyes of others, but to be good for life itself.”

Reflection Questions

Question	Purpose of Reflection
What does it mean to be judged “bad” by others yet remain “good” for life?	To separate personal approval from universal value.
How can I live in a way that contributes to the unity of existence rather than just personal gain?	To shift focus from self-interest to collective well-being.
What experiences in my life felt “bad” at first but revealed themselves as blessings later?	To recognize the hidden gifts of life’s puzzles.
How does believing that “life itself is my companion” change the way I treat others?	To cultivate universal compassion and fairness.
Can challenges and difficulties truly act as medicine for the soul?	To reframe hardship as growth and healing.
Do I measure my goodness by others’ opinions or by my service to life?	To deepen honesty about where my values lie.