Category Archives: Success

What is success?

Posted on July 25, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

Malcolm Muggeridge was one of the most successful journalists of the twentieth century. For much of his life he was an agnostic, but an experience he had while making a documentary on the life of Jesus turned him into a … Continue reading →

Posted in Achievement, emptiness, Eternal life, Futility, Jesus, Success, Superficial judgements | Leave a comment

There’s nothing there!

Posted on June 12, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

The writer Bernard Shaw summed up the hopelessness of his own barren life and philosophy when he said: ‘There are two tragedies in life. One is not to get your heart’s desire. The other is to get it.’ He was … Continue reading →

Posted in Meaning in life, Meaninglessness, Purpose in life, Success | Leave a comment

Is money really life’s report card?

Posted on April 29, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s a saying that goes: ‘money is life’s report card,’ meaning success in life is in proportion to how much we earn, accrue and spend. Yet the universal experience is what John D Rockerfeller said when asked how much you … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundant life, Life, Life's journey, Life's lessons, Living Life, Materialism, Money, Success, wealth | 3 Comments

There’s nothing there!

Posted on November 15, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

The problem of sudden success was highlighted a few years ago in a New York Times report on the aftermath of the Boston Red Sox having finally won The World Series Baseball after eighty six years of trying. It said: … Continue reading →

Posted in Accomplishments, Achievement, Ambition, Futility, Meaning in life, Meaninglessness, Success | Tagged | Leave a comment

Success is what you are

Posted on September 22, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s never been a time in history when so called ‘successful’ people have been so idolised and admired. For most of us success is judged by the accumulation of wealth, prestige and power. But when judged by their level of … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, fame, Success | 1 Comment

Succeeding at something that doesn’t really matter

Posted on June 24, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

A few years ago a woman in North Carolina attempted to set a world record while playing a convenience store video game. After standing in front of the game for fourteen hours and scoring an unprecedented seven and a half … Continue reading →

Posted in Failure, Futility, Life, Meaninglessness, Purpose in life, Success | Leave a comment

First things first

Posted on June 5, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

A seminar leader once placed a large jar next to a pile of rocks and asked how many rocks would fit in the jar. Then he piled as many in as he could and asked if the jar was full. … Continue reading →

Posted in Putting first things first, Spiritual growth, Spiritual Insight, Success | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Dead souls

Posted on May 27, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Albert Einstein, who lived his life in the pursuit of scientific discovery, used to say: ‘He who can no longer pause to wonder, is as good as dead.’ Madeleine L’Engle, referring to this, said: ‘I share Einstein’s affirmation that anyone … Continue reading →

Posted in God, Selflessness, Spiritual discernment, Success, Wonder | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The sure way to failure

Posted on April 27, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s a fable about an elderly man travelling with a young boy and a donkey. As they passed through one village the people told him he was a fool for not riding the donkey; so he climbed up on its … Continue reading →

Posted in Expectations, Failure, Life, Life's journey, Success | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Freedoms that destroy freedom

Posted on April 10, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Some years ago Enron filed the largest bankruptcy in US history. The following year Fast Company magazine reported the story of Phyllis Anzalone who had been with Enron for five years selling energy supply contracts. Her earnings quickly went to … Continue reading →

Posted in Facing the future, Failure, Freedom, Greed, Personal Growth, Riches, Success | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment