Tag Archives: inspirational sayings

The end of the beginning

Posted on October 23, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

Victor Hugo, just before he died, wrote: ‘Within my soul I feel the evidence of my future life. I am like a forest that has been cut down more than once, yet the new growth has more life than ever. … Continue reading →

Posted in Assurance, Death, Faith, Hope, Hope of Glory, Life, Life's journey | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Do what comes naturally

Posted on October 18, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

Jean McMahon, writing in the Reader’s Digest, described a church service in Kentucky, where she watched an irate father carry a boisterous child out of the service, slung under his arm. No one so much as raised an eyebrow — … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer, Religion, Spiritual Insight, Spirituality | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Seven Wonders of the World

Posted on October 18, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

I love the story about the teacher who asked her students to list what they thought were the Seven Wonders of the World. Most of the votes were for things like: Egypt’s Great Pyramids, the Taj Mahal, the Grand Canyon, … Continue reading →

Posted in Appreciation, love, Seven Wonders of the World, Wonder | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Think yourself to happiness

Posted on September 17, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

“Most people,” said Abraham Lincoln, “Are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Well, that may be an oversimplification, but there is still great truth in it. A positive mental attitude does have a powerful effect … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, God, God with us, Happiness, Living Life, Peace, Personal Growth, Positive Thoughts, thankfulness | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Records in sand and stone

Posted on August 30, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s an old story about two friends travelling through the desert and having an argument. One of them got angry and slapped the other in the face. The second man said nothing, but wrote in the sand, ‘Today my best … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Forgiveness, Memorials, Records, Remembrance, Spiritual Insight | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

No-one feels a nobody when they are part of a great endeavour

Posted on August 19, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

When Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London was being built, somebody asked one of the stonemasons what he did. He replied blandly that he cut stone. He asked the same question of another mason, who said that he was building a … Continue reading →

Posted in Affirmation, Attitude, Encouragement, Great Endeavours, Inspirational, Life, Life's journey, Purpose in life, Self Image, Spiritual Insight | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Count your garden by the flowers

Posted on August 19, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

Four hundred years ago it was common for churches in England to inscibe on their walls the words ‘Think and Thank’. It was to remind worshipers that the greatest boost for faith is to make yourself count your blessings. There’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Blessings, Positive Thoughts, thankfulness, Transformation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Happiness is like a butterfly

Posted on August 19, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

The greatest conundrum of modern life is that we don’t become happy by pursuing happiness. Harold Kushner talks about this in his evocatively titled book ‘When All You’ve Ever Wanted Isn’t Enough.’ ”You become happy by living a life that … Continue reading →

Posted in Generous spirit, Happiness, Personal Growth, Spiritual blindness, Spiritual Insight | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Don’t hope; decide.

Posted on June 10, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

Michael Hargrove tells about watching a man at an airport dropping a bag to the ground to hug two small children. Then he turned to their mother and said, “I’ve saved the best for last!” and then gave her a … Continue reading →

Posted in Decisions, Family, hope and love, Life's journey, love, marriage | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

That’s what keeps me ticking!

Posted on June 5, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s an old story about a grandfather clock that had stood for generations in the same corner, faithfully ticking away. Then it got sold to a new owner who noticed the heavy weight hanging inside it, and removed it from … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Life's journey, Living Life, Trials and testings, tribulation and trouble, Troubles | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment