Tag Archives: Meaning in Life

The Seven Wonders of the World

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

Measuring wealth

When most of us think of misers we think of Ebenezer Scrooge. But whereas Scrooge was a fictitious character, John G. Wendel and his sisters were real, and probably the most miserly people of all time. They inherited a vast … Continue reading

Posted in Living Life, Making the most of what you've got, Misers, Riches, wealth | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Give me back my songs

The French have a story about a wealthy man who spent his days counting his gold. Next door was a poor cobbler who spent his days singing as he repaired shoes. The joyful singing irritated the rich man, so he … Continue reading

Posted in Joy, Life, Life's journey, Materialism, Misery, Money, Music of life, Possessions, Sleeplessness, wealth, Worry | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The joy of the Lord is my strength

Dr Trisha MacNair, in her book The Long Life Equation – one hundred factors that can add or subtract years from your life, says that the choices we make now often have enormous consequences in later life. Drawing on hundreds … Continue reading

Posted in Faith, God, Joy, Life, Life's journey, Strength | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What will they say about me?

Some years ago the Indiana Department of Social Services sent a letter to a former client which said: “Your food stamps will be stopped in March because we received notice that you passed away. May God bless you. You may … Continue reading

Posted in Affirmation, Aspiration, Eternity, Faithfulness, God's pleasure, Heaven, Hope of Glory, Judgement, Knowing God, pilgrimage, Regret | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Successfully hitting the wrong target

In what was described as ‘an extremely rare mistake in elite competition’, Champion Marksman Matt Emmons, who was one shot away from winning a gold medal at the Athens Olympics, ended up in eighth place. He didn’t even need a … Continue reading

Posted in Disappointed, Futility, Target, Winning | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Lost forever

When the American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar died, his mother opened his home in Dayton, Ohio, to the public, so that people from all walks of life could come experience his life, even though he was no longer alive. She … Continue reading

Posted in Death, Living Life, Memorials, Mourning, Shrines | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A message from moths

The poet Shelly referred to the way that moths are drawn irresistably to the light of a star as a powerful symbol of our own yearning for something beyond the limitations of this life. For some reason we don’t understand, … Continue reading

Posted in Alistair McGrath, God, inner yearning, Spiritual discernment, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

No pockets in a shroud

John D. Rockefeller used to be the world’s richest man. He was once asked how much a person needed to be happy; and with great insight into human nature, he replied: ‘Just a little bit more.’ After his death, a … Continue reading

Posted in Death, Futility, Heaven, Treasure, wealth | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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

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