Category Archives: Contentment

The key to contentment

Posted on November 29, 2018 by vincentsmithauthor

John D Rockefeller, once the richest man in the world, had three simple rules for anyone who wanted to become rich: go to work early; stay at work late; and find oil. He was also the man who, when asked … Continue reading →

Posted in Contentment, Riches | Leave a comment

Rampant consumerism – our year-round affliction

Posted on February 22, 2018 by vincentsmithauthor

Many of us would agree with psychologist Patricia Dalton, who says that rampant consumerism, once confined to the holidays, has become a year-round affliction. She observes unhappy people trying to fill the emptiness of their lives by irresponsible spending and … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundant life, consumerism, Contentment, emptiness, Materialism, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

If you’ve got this, you’ve got everything.

Posted on January 16, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

Some years ago a man named Danny Simpson was arrested in Canada for robbing a bank of six thousand dollars. He was sent to prison, but the gun he used was sent to a museum. He’d used a pistol which … Continue reading →

Posted in Contentment, Faith, God's faithfulness, God's love, satisfaction | Leave a comment

Knowing how much is enough

Posted on September 29, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle used to teach that virtue was the mid-point between two extremes. So, for example, there is recklessness on one extreme and cowardice on the other; but courage is the mid-point. It’s neither being fearless, like … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Balance life, Contentment, Poverty, Riches | Leave a comment

What we dream of may already be around us

Posted on September 29, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s a story told about a little girl who lived in a very humble home and used to gaze wonderingly at a house on a far-away hill, whose windows, every morning, would shine with a golden light. Years later, when … Continue reading →

Posted in Contentment, Disatisfaction, Dreams | Leave a comment

Sometimes the cure is worse than the complaint

Posted on September 29, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

While living in a remote part of Australia’s Northern territory I learned that bushmen will only ever eat flying fox in the direst circumstances, because its vile smell permeates the body of the person who eats it. The one good … Continue reading →

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‘How much do you need to be happy?’

Posted on February 21, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

A survey of New Year’s resolutions discovered that of people with above average incomes: thirty three percent want to retire before age sixty five: twenty two percent want to get out of credit card debt: fifteen percent want to make … Continue reading →

Posted in Contentment, Happiness, Money, wealth | Tagged | Leave a comment

When more produces less

Posted on November 16, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Aristotle used to teach that virtue was the mid point between two extremes. So, for example, whereas recklessness is one extreme and cowardice the other, courage is the mid point where virtue sits. The important thing is to keep things … Continue reading →

Posted in Contentment, Poverty, Riches, Virtue, wealth | Tagged | Leave a comment

Missing the things we want most, even when we already have them

Posted on October 20, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Russell H Conwell, in his famous lecture entitled Acres of Diamonds, tells the story of a Pennsylvania farmer who became obsessed with oil exploration, then sold his farm and went off to Canada to prospect for it. However, the man … Continue reading →

Posted in Blindness, Contentment, Disatisfaction, Life, Living Life, Seeing the possibilities, Seeking and Finding, Sight | Tagged , | Leave a 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