Category Archives: accountability

The Devil made me do it

Posted on February 10, 2018 by vincentsmithauthor

In another twist on the old ‘the Devil made me do it’ excuse, a little girl who had been sent to her room for misbehaving, was heard saying her prayers and blaming God for what had happened, because she’d prayed … Continue reading →

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Looking for a loophole

Posted on January 11, 2018 by vincentsmithauthor

W. C. Fields was one of Hollywood’s original comedians. For most of his life he described himself as an agnostic who didn’t know if there was a God or not and didn’t particularly care. But even he was not entirely … Continue reading →

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It’s only true wealth if it enriches your soul

Posted on July 26, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

John D. Rockerfeller at the age of fifty became the world’s first billionaire. But three years later he had what appears to be a nervous breakdown. His entire body became racked with pain, he lost all the hair on his … Continue reading →

Posted in accountability, Achievement, Judgement, Treasure, Treasure in Heaven, wealth | Leave a comment

Plucking weeds and planting flowers

Posted on April 18, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

Abraham Lincoln once said: ‘Die when I may, I want it said of me that I plucked a weed and planted a flower wherever I thought a flower would grow.’ Someone said that the whole process of evolution in this … Continue reading →

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What we will find in the next world

Posted on February 13, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

George Ritchie is an American psychiatrist who wrote a book titled ‘Return from Tomorrow.’ It is an account of his own near death experience, and in it he describes many of those elements that we hear from others who have … Continue reading →

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‘Everyone needs to write their own obituary’

Posted on September 3, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Most of us live our lives in the tension between our desire to live the good life and our desire to be good people. Nowhere is this tension more obvious than in newspapers – in the advertisements and the obituaries. … Continue reading →

Posted in Accomplishments, accountability, Achievement, Death, Life, Life's journey, Life's lessons, Obituaries, re-evaluating life, Reflecting, Reputation | Tagged | Leave a comment

Knowledge and privilege always bring responsibility

Posted on August 29, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

One aspect of human courts of law that often seems unjust is that ignorance of a law is not deemed to be an excuse for having broken that law. So, for example, someone wrote to a motoring organisation complaining they … Continue reading →

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Prepare to meet thy God

Posted on August 28, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

I remember once having nearly been run off the road by a van belonging to a religious organisation, which suddenly cut in front of me. The first thing I noticed, as I nearly smashed into it, were the dramatic words … Continue reading →

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Legacies

Posted on June 29, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Best known for its elegant and expensive watches, Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe has also become well-known for its clever advertising slogan which says: ‘You never actually own a Patek Philippe; you merely take care of it for the next generation.’ … Continue reading →

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Being famous doesn’t always mean being admired

Posted on June 6, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

In the closing years of the nineteenth century the Cherry Sisters performed to packed theatres throughout the American Midwest. Their fame came from them being unbelievably bad actors that people came to throw vegetables at. Amazingly, the girls were then … Continue reading →

Posted in accountability, fame, Judgement, Laughter, Life, Life's journey, Living Life, Making the most of what you've got, Self Deception | Tagged | Leave a comment