Life is all about having a good time.

Miley Cyrus, with the voice of youth and fire, declared: “Life is all about having a good time.” To some, these words may sound like playfulness, but beneath them lies a current as old as humanity itself. For what is the purpose of our days if not to taste joy, to dance with freedom, to savor the fleeting beauty of existence? The ancients, too, spoke in many ways of this truth—that life, though short, is radiant, and to waste it in sorrow or fear is to betray the gift we have been given.

The Greeks celebrated this wisdom through the festival of Dionysus, where song, dance, and laughter filled the air. They knew that a good time was not mere frivolity, but a release of the soul, a reminder that we are not made only for labor and suffering, but also for delight. Even the stern Stoics, who spoke often of discipline, did not deny that joy is part of the natural order. They taught that one should live in harmony with nature, and in that harmony is gladness, even celebration. Thus, Miley’s words, though modern, echo an eternal call: rejoice in the fleeting flame of life.

Consider the story of Zorba the Greek, who lived with wild abandon, dancing upon the sands even when faced with loss. To him, joy was not denial of sorrow but defiance against it. He understood that life would bring hardship, but he chose to meet it with laughter, wine, and song. In this way, he revealed a deeper wisdom: that to have a good time is not to avoid suffering, but to refuse to let suffering steal the light of our spirit. Miley’s words ring with the same defiant joy—an anthem to live fully despite the storms.

Yet hear also the balance, O listener. To say that life is all about having a good time is not to preach thoughtless indulgence. For pleasure without meaning soon turns to emptiness, like a feast without nourishment. The ancients warned that he who seeks only excess will find only ruin. But when joy is tempered by gratitude, when delight is shared with others, then it becomes not hollow, but holy. The true “good time” is not found in reckless escape, but in laughter with friends, in love shared openly, in moments that remind us of the sacredness of being alive.

And is not history filled with those who proved this truth? Think of Louis Armstrong, born into poverty in New Orleans, who rose to become a voice of joy through music. His trumpet sang not of despair but of wonder: “What a wonderful world.” His life was a testimony that one may suffer and struggle, yet still proclaim beauty, still embody joy. Here we see the essence of Miley’s words: life’s meaning is magnified when we choose joy, when we carve out good times even in the midst of hardship.

The lesson is clear: seek joy not later, but now. Do not postpone happiness until wealth is gained, or success is secured, or burdens are lifted. For the river of life flows swiftly, and tomorrow is never promised. To laugh today, to dance today, to share kindness today—these are the treasures that remain when all else passes away. A good time is not a distraction from life; it is life itself, in its purest form.

Practical wisdom flows from this: each day, make space for joy. Sing, even if your voice is rough. Dance, even if your steps are clumsy. Share a meal, a smile, a story. Let your life not be measured only by toil, but by the moments of light that break through the darkness. For these are the sparks that carry us, that bind us to one another, that make existence not just bearable, but beautiful.

So remember, O children of tomorrow: life is all about having a good time. Do not let fear, anger, or despair consume your days. Instead, embrace joy as your companion, laughter as your shield, love as your song. For though the years may be short and the trials many, those who live with joy live fully, and those who share their joy light the path for generations yet to come.