The founder and director of the Greenbrier Academy for Girls, L. Jay Mitchell draws on more than three decades of experience in designing and developing therapeutic pathways for teenagers with emotional disorders. Also an author, L. Jay Mitchell’s book Decide Now: The Good Life or the Best Life examines the conventional practices of psychology and defines the purpose of life as best defined by developing and maintaining quality relationships.

As the author puts it, a “good life” is one in which we attain goals largely established by society and accept emotional satisfaction and good feelings as an end in and of themselves. This surface-level happiness can be a trap, as it reflects only one aspect of identity.

In order to attain “the best life,” one must consider not only his or her own well-being, but also that of others. With each human possessing inherent worth, the connections forged between each person who enters your life is deserving of equal consideration.

Building such deep, complex relationships does not have “feeling good” as a primary aim, but it involves treating others virtuously and with altruism, courage, and love. While emotional and physical well-being are important cornerstones of this, even more important is to attain quality relationships in which one gives and receives in equal measure. As Mr. Mitchell describes it, this often “requires giving up the good life for something better.”