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It’s often said that advancements in communication and transportation have made our world smaller. We can see other countries with a click of a button, travel quicker and easier than ever, and communicate with almost anyone in the world. But as we do, we are also reminded of just how big the world is, and we can feel smaller and smaller in the grand scheme of things.
To overcome such feelings, many of us hope to do big things in life, to make a big difference. But what has happened to the little moments in our search for big ones? Are we dashing through life trying to check off items on our bucket list, only to learn that most of those pursuits are largely self-centered? When we let ourselves become consumed with our work, do we miss life’s real purpose?
The world thrives on light. Just about every living thing seems to do a little better when the sun is shining. The natural world comes alive at dawn, as the light of a new day chases away darkness, and earth awakens with hope. And when spring brings longer stretches of light, it seems as if all of creation, surging with new life, rejoices in the victory over winter’s darkness.
It seems pretty much impossible to go through life without ever being insulted, mistreated, disrespected, or snubbed. We are surrounded by imperfect people who do imperfect things—people who are sometimes unkind, occasionally bad-mannered, and frequently rude. So what can we do about it?
One of the great myths of life is that if you can just find the one thing you’re passionate about and spend your time doing that, you will have a rich and fulfilling life. But it doesn’t quite work that way, does it? Such an approach can cause us to be hesitant to try new things. We’re not sure we’ve found our “one true passion” yet, so we wait to start living.
Life, it could be said, is a series of choices. While it’s true that we are surrounded by people and problems, they do not determine our course. Yes, we are influenced by things that are beyond our control, but what really makes us who we are is the way we choose to respond to these influences. Our happiness, our outlook on life, and ultimately our destiny are shaped by the choices we make, not solely by our surroundings.
Why is it that the most successful people are not always the most gifted or talented? So often, exceptional students, accomplished writers, and championship athletes acknowledge that it isn’t natural ability that sets them apart from their peers—it’s their grit. And what is grit?
Many years ago, a young boy visited his uncle who worked in the lumber business. They were looking at the trees in the lumber camp when the boy noticed a very tall tree standing alone on the hilltop. Full of excitement, the boy showed his uncle the towering tree. “Look at that big tree!” he exclaimed. “It will make a lot of good lumber, won’t it?”
The day was October 1, 1925. The place was a remote mountainside in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Hundreds of local citizens tramped up a crudely cut road to a mountain peak called Mount Rushmore. For weeks, they had worked at cutting a three-mile route through the forest using picks, shovels, and their most sophisticated equipment, horse-drawn scrapers. Tables laden with baked goods and 30-foot flags flying above heralded the announcement of a plan to build a massive monument to four great American Presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt.
My life, like yours and like everyone’s, comes with a history. Every family tree is full of people and stories—some we remember and cherish, some we know very little about, and some we might just as soon forget. And just as the highest branches of a tree draw nourishment from the deepest roots, we each are a product—to some extent—of those who went before us. But the great thing is that no matter our past, we can build a bright future with hard work and optimism. That’s one of the lessons from my family’s story.
It takes a special kind of person to find joy in another person’s good fortune. Sadly, it’s far more common to be resentful, bitter, or even offended when something good happens to someone—anyone—other than ourselves. We call this attitude envy, and as an old Danish proverb suggests, “If envy were a fever, all the world would be ill.”1
Every now and then, a simple act of love reminds us all what it really means to love someone. This happened recently at a care center for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. A nurse who worked at the center noticed an elderly gentleman who faithfully visited his wife every day. Her disease had taken from her mind all memory of her husband. Still he came.
One day the nurse said, “Why do you keep coming? She doesn’t even know who you are.”
One of life’s universal and unavoidable experiences is to lose someone we love. All who have lived and loved will lose cherished family and friends to death. Whether early or late, suddenly or gradually, dramatically or peacefully, death comes for everyone. And when it comes for a loved one, our whole world can change in an instant, and we may wonder how we can ever go on.
Every society is only as good as its people. It follows, then, that to build a better society we need a foundation of brave men and women who do the right thing. Often, that foundation is tested by struggle and conflict, but it may be that those very challenges are what bring out the greatness within people and nations.
It has become popular of late for organizations—and even families and individuals—to create a mission statement to guide their actions and clarify their values. Such a statement can serve to remind us who we are and what we’re about. When life gets hectic and choices get complicated, a statement of purpose and vision can keep us focused on those things that we value most.
Although we can do it anytime, the beginning of a new year feels like a natural time to reflect upon the past, even as we look forward to the future. It’s a chance to leave behind yesterday’s regrets, build on yesterday’s successes, and look forward to a tomorrow full of potential. There’s no reason to doubt that this year can be the best ever. Indeed, when a positive spirit ignites realistic goals, the resulting flame can fuel our efforts to accomplish great things.
That doesn’t mean we expect the next year to be perfect, of course. None of us knows exactly what is coming, but it’s safe to assume that this year, like other years, will have its ups and downs. There will be moments of happiness and joy, along with moments of heartache and worry. Where can we find the courage and perspective to carry on throughout it all?
On that holy night so long ago, angels ushered in the world’s first Christmas celebration with a declaration of “good tidings of great joy.”1 And ever since, good tidings of great joy have filled the hearts of all who celebrate Christmas. It’s only natural that we imagine that host of angels as a choir and their proclamation as a song. What better way to express such exultant feelings than with glorious music! Whether we are performing, singing along, or just listening, the music of Christmas unites us in a celebration of good news.
It was a busy night at the inn, two thousand years ago in Bethlehem—so busy, in fact, that when Mary and Joseph arrived, there was “no room for them.”1 And so the couple was forced to seek refuge in a lowly stable. There the baby Jesus was born, attended by humble animals and simple shepherds. Surely the King of Kings should have had more comfortable surroundings. But He didn’t, and perhaps there is a lesson in that for all of us
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,
There’s something undeniably special about Christmastime. It’s a season of beloved songs and stories, of treasured memories and traditions. People of all faiths and cultures can sense that something changes for the better at this time of year. In the most personal and intimate ways, Christmas brings people together.
Much of the joy of life comes from anticipation. Who has not looked forward to a weekend, a reunion, a trip, or a holiday? The anticipation can be just as exciting as the event itself. It gives us a sense of hope for the future, a reason to keep going when life gets us down. In the cold, stark winter, we dream of the warmth and life of spring. On hot summer days, we look forward to the brisk, refreshing weather of fall. And when the harvest season ends, we await what is perhaps the most anticipated season of all—the advent of Christmas
Long before the New England colonists held their now-legendary autumn feast nearly 400 years ago, and well before Thanksgiving was ever a holiday, giving thanks has been essential to the human soul. And that’s true not only in times of plenty. On good days and bad, through abundance and scarcity, we make life sweeter when we count our blessings.
Parenting has been called the most difficult job in the world. Most will attest that it sometimes seems easier to succeed in the workplace, move up the corporate ladder, and enjoy the praise of work associates and friends than to feel that you’re doing a good job as a parent. And with parenting, unlike most professions, the work is never done. Indeed, good parents never retire.
On November 11, 1918, at 11:00 in the morning, warring nations agreed to an armistice—a truce—and World War I came to an end. Bombing and gunfire ceased, soldiers returned to their families, and the war-scarred land rested and began to heal. Years later, the 11th day of the 11th month became a national day of remembrance—Veterans Day, a day “dedicated to the cause of world peace.”1 Yet it wasn’t long before, once again, the sounds of war would be heard and soldiers would be called upon to serve their country in defense of freedom.
Maynard Dixon, a prolific artist from the previous century, is best known for his vibrant paintings of the American West. He spent much of his life roaming the western United States, which he loved so much, capturing on canvas images of the peoples and places he saw. But during the Great Depression in the 1930s, Dixon’s artistic focus changed: he painted a series of images depicting striking and displaced workers. One of those paintings, Forgotten Man, captured the poignant feelings of so many people during that time
When things get rushed and hectic, as they often do, it’s easy to view life as little more than a series of practical demands to be met. But then we hear a beautiful song, we see an exquisite painting, or we read a stunning poem, and we are reminded that life, at its heart, is beautiful and brilliant, elevating and enriching. Yes, the world has its practical, methodical side, but life is just as much an art as it is a science.
During the American Civil War, Lieutenant Colonel William McCullough, fighting for the Union, died heroically trying to rally his troops during an ambush. He was one of thousands who perished in that deadliest of American wars, but President Abraham Lincoln had a personal connection to this soldier. He had become acquainted with the McCullough family during his days as an attorney in Illinois, and the two men had served together during the Black Hawk War.
An old proverb says, “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”1 It’s true for improving a landscape, and it’s true for improving our lives. Whether you want to read a novel or write one, take a walk or climb a mountain, the sooner you begin, the sooner you can become the person you want to be.
In the Chartres Cathedral in France, four stained-glass windows depict the four Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It’s not unusual to find something like this in a medieval cathedral, but these particular images are unique because each of the Gospel writers is being carried on the shoulders of a revered Old Testament prophet: Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, or Daniel. In beautiful art glass, these images capture what Bernard, the 12th-century chancellor of the School of Chartres, told his students: we stand on the shoulders of the giants who preceded us.
Sometimes, in order to move faster, we need to slow down. In order to see better, we need to close our eyes for a while. And in order to progress, we need to take an occasional step back. It seems counterintuitive, but some of the most successful people know that success doesn’t come just from relentless pushing—we actually do better if we have regular moments of rest.
More than 50 years ago, three women from Pennsylvania, two sisters and a friend, attended a performance by the Pittsburgh Symphony for the first time. Now, a half century later, they have attended nearly 600 performances.