Category Archives: Blessings

Judged for failing to enjoy

Posted on August 12, 2018 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s an old Jewish saying that we’ll be judged for all the good things God has given that we failed to appreciate. It reminds me of the traveller who met an old priest high in the mountains, who told him … Continue reading →

Posted in Blessings, enjoyment, Gift of God, Gratitude, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Happiness is not the same as fun

Posted on August 12, 2018 by vincentsmithauthor

Dr Vera Ranki, writing in the Sydney Morning Herald, said that the first lesson towards achieving happiness is to realize that happiness is not the same as fun. In our desperate pursuit of happiness we often forget that when we … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundant life, Blessedness, Blessings, Happiness, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

There’s something about being a volunteer

Posted on February 10, 2018 by vincentsmithauthor

When I was a volunteer firefighter our bushfire brigade would respond enthusiastically to fire calls at all times of the day or night. I remember one chilly winter night being called to a house fire to assist the professional fire … Continue reading →

Posted in Blessings, Faith, Volunteers | Leave a comment

In every obstacle there’s an opportunity

Posted on June 22, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s an old legend of a king who had a boulder placed on a highway and left there to see if anyone would remove it. A number of important people came by and squeezed past, complaining about the way the … Continue reading →

Posted in Blessings, Opportunities | Leave a comment

‘Bless those who curse you’

Posted on November 12, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

As a teenager Lizzie Velasquez, horrified, watched a YouTube video titled ‘World’s Ugliest Woman,’ including comments that said: ‘What a monster’ and ‘Why didn’t her parents just abort her.’ The video was about her. Lizzie was born with a condition … Continue reading →

Posted in Blessings, Forgiveness, Grace, Mercy | Leave a comment

‘When one’s expectations are reduced to zero’

Posted on September 29, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Stephen Hawking, considered by many to be the most intelligent man on earth, suffers from Lou Gehrig’s disease and, for years unable to speak, has been confined to a wheelchair, where he can do little more than sit and think. … Continue reading →

Posted in Appreciation, Awareness, Blessings, Expectations, Positive Thoughts | Tagged | Leave a comment

‘Beautiful music is the art of the prophets.’

Posted on September 29, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Those of us who live with teenagers know that music can cause intense suffering. But despite this, music is one of our most accessible sources of blessing. Martin Luther said: ‘Beautiful music is the art of the prophets.’ And speaking … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to God, Blessings, Music, Music of life, Spiritual blessing | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Wealth is in the mind

Posted on September 22, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

According to the LA Times you need a net worth of ten million dollars to be able to call yourself rich; that’s how much you’d need today to match the lifestyle of the average nineteen twenty five millionaire. Paradoxically, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Blessings, Contentment, Riches, Taking stock, thankfulness, wealth | Leave a comment

Prayers that become a curse

Posted on June 25, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

The ancient Greeks had a story about Aurora the goddess of the dawn, who fell in love with Tithonus, a mortal youth. So Zeus the king of the gods, offered her any gift she might choose for her lover; and … Continue reading →

Posted in Blessings, Curses, God, Prayer | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Eyes that do not see, ears that do not hear

Posted on May 27, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

A few years ago the Washington Post arranged for Joshua Bell, a world renowned musician, but dressed in jeans, T shirt and a baseball cap, to play a Stradivarius violin worth more than three million dollars outside the subway. Hundreds … Continue reading →

Posted in Awareness, Beauty, Blessings, God, Indifference | Tagged , | Leave a comment