Tag Archives: peace with one’s self

No ‘Ifs’ about it.

Posted on March 26, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

The great pianist Artur Rubinstein said: “As long as we have what we have inside, the capacity to love, to work, to hear music, to see a flower… nothing can stop us from being happy…but we must get rid of … Continue reading →

Posted in angry with God, Artur Rubinstein, Attitude, Contentment, Discernment, If, Life's journey, Living Life, Making the most of what you've got, Regret, Seeing the possibilities, Spiritual Insight, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A little silver changes everything

Posted on March 6, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s an old Jewish story about a rich man who went to see a rabbi because he couldn’t understand why he always felt so unhappy even though he was wealthy. The rabbi took him to a window and asked him … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Compassion, Discernment, emptiness, Life's journey, Living Life, Money, Riches, Self Deception, Spiritual blindness, Spiritual discernment, Spiritual Insight, Unselfishness, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Eyes that do not see

Posted on March 2, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

Russell H Conwell, in his famous lecture entitled ‘Acres of Diamonds’, used to tell the story of a Pennsylvania farmer, whose cousin was in the oil business and refused to give him a job until he’d studied hard enough to … Continue reading →

Posted in Awareness, Blindness, Contentment, Discernment, Life's journey, Making the most of what you've got, Possessions, Riches, Seeing the possibilities, Spiritual blindness, Spiritual Insight, thankfulness | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Discovering our wings

Posted on February 27, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

The famous Danish theologian and philosopher, Kierkegarde, once remarked that the first miracle Jesus performed was to turn water into wine. He went on to say, “The Church, however, has performed an even greater miracle; it has turned the wine … Continue reading →

Posted in asceticism, Awareness, Faith, God, Hope, Inspiration, Living Life, Personal Growth, Religion, Spiritual Insight, Transformation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Happiness is like a genial, exotic aunt

Posted on February 21, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

A reporter reminded Elvis Presley, just before he died, that he’d once said he wanted to be rich, famous and happy. “Well,” Elvis replied. “I’m lonely as hell”. Thomas Szasz, defined happiness as, “An imaginary condition, formerly attributed by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Happiness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fear of Death

Posted on February 17, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

The most universal fear is the fear of death, and it comes because we focus on this world instead of the next. The reality is that nothing in this world is as solid and real as it appears. Everything is … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Death, Faith, Futility, God, Heaven, Hope, inner peace, Life's journey, Peaceful Sleep, Spiritual Insight | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Quietness and Confidence

Posted on February 17, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

Most of us will do anything to avoid being alone and confronting our own inner turmoil, which is why Pascal, the French philosopher, said “All men’s miseries come from their inability to sit quietly and alone.” The Danish philosopher Kierkegaard … Continue reading →

Posted in Awareness, Contentment, Futility, God, inner peace, Inspirational, Knowing God, Living Life, quietness, Seeing Jesus, Spiritual Insight, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I believe in the Sun even when it’s not shining

Posted on February 17, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

It seems hard to believe that someone like Mother Teresa in later life should have written to her spiritual confidants revealing that inwardly her sense of the presence of God, that she had previously found quite overwhelming, seemed absent. However, … Continue reading →

Posted in Awareness, Faith, God, Hope, hope and love, inner peace, Inspirational, Knowing God, Life's journey, Moods, pilgrimage, Spiritual Darkness, Spiritual Insight, Trials and testings, Trust in God | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Don’t worry about things that are unlikely to happen

Posted on February 14, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

Just before the start of a major concert, a member of the orchestra approached the great Toscanini with a panicked look on his face. ‘Maestro,’ he said, ‘my instrument is not working properly. I cannot reach the note of E-flat. … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Awareness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Ivory Rose of Peace

Posted on February 2, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

One of the last planes to leave Paris before the Nazi invasion carried Francis Meilland’s most precious rose cutting. All he could do was hope it would survive. Four years passed before he learned what had happened to it. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Encouragement, Healing, Hope, inner peace, Inspirational, Life's journey, Living Life, Promise, Roses, Trials and testings | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment