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When we hear the word investment, most of us think of investing our money in hopes that it will grow and yield a large return. Some of us feel lucky to have enough money to meet our daily basic needs, let alone to invest any. But in one way, we are all equally rich: We […]
In today’s hectic world, we often feel pressure to accomplish our many tasks as quickly and efficiently as possible. But it’s good to remember that the direction we are headed is often more important than how soon we get there. If an airline pilot makes an error of only one or two degrees in a […]
Recent research suggests that persistence and resilience are good predictors of longevity.1 Perseverance in the face of difficulties puts us on the road to happiness and well-being, and what keeps us on that road is a positive attitude. A young man learned this important lesson as a high school tennis player. He had worked hard […]
Scattered across the world are burial sites of those who have served well and even given their lives in defense of liberty and country. Whether they are found in a small hometown cemetery or a large military memorial, these graves serve as a reminder of the courage and commitment to duty of those who served […]
Life can be hard. Ask anyone. Daily, it seems, the media brings wars, natural disasters, destruction, and gloom right to our front rooms—all of this piled on top of the personal challenges and disappointments we’re already facing. It’s enough to make it difficult for us to see the joy in the journey of life. But […]
To those who follow the news of the day, the whole world seems to be in turmoil. Some would say the world has always been in turmoil, and that may be true. But the difference is that today, with immediate and widespread news coverage, the world seems to be much smaller—and getting smaller each day. […]
No one should ever underestimate the profound power of a mother’s love. Not ever.” These are the words of Steve Mikita, who was born with a muscle disease that has confined him to a wheelchair for more than five decades. His earliest memory is not about being frustrated that he could not stand, walk, ride […]
More than 300 years ago, Sir Isaac Newton lived an extraordinary life of accomplishment. Among his many achievements, he invented the reflecting telescope and unlocked the study of calculus. He developed a new theory of light and color and defined the laws of motion and gravity. When a friend praised his abilities, he responded humbly […]
Thousands of years ago, the prophet Isaiah proclaimed the Lord’s great promise of a coming day: “Beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isaiah 61:3). To all who face the ugly realities of life, to any who mourn the loss of a loved one, […]
Every hour of every day affords us opportunities to think of others more than ourselves. In countless large and small ways, we decide whether to put our own needs and desires first or to place someone else’s needs and desires above our own. When we choose to be unselfish, we find true happiness. But sometimes […]
A wise man who spent many years traveling the world serving others said in his ninth decade of life: “Over the course of my years, I have met thousands of people. I have dined with the prosperous as well as the poverty-stricken. I have conversed with the mighty and with the meek. I have walked […]
We become our best and truest selves by helping others. Indeed, a good yardstick for measuring success is how our life influences other people for the better. Clayton Christensen, an author and Harvard business professor, has had remarkable professional successes, along with some serious health challenges. After all he has experienced, he has concluded: “The metric […]
Some problems are more obvious than others. When someone is clearly struggling, we are usually quite empathetic. We see them limp through life, and most of us readily help in any way we can. We may even make great personal sacrifices to ease their burdens. Other times, however, the afflictions people endure might be completely […]
Sitting at her window on a rather cold and dark winter day, a young woman began to feel very alone and discouraged. It seemed no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t keep up with the demands of life. The children always needed more of her attention, finances were tight, she felt like she […]
We live in difficult times. Trouble seems to visit every door. Some rally to the challenges placed before them; others struggle. These neighbors, friends, associates at work, family members, and acquaintances desperately need an outstretched arm, a kind word or gesture, a generous opportunity, or another chance. Are we willing to reach out to them, […]
Some people seem to have life firmly in their grasp, everything under control, and all things positive before them. But more often than not, it’s not the full story. Everyone struggles a bit at times, and we all know what it feels like to worry. But worrying is not all bad if it grows into […]
A young college student now living far from her family cherishes the memory of home. In good times and in bad, in times of gladness and in loneliness, the fire of a happy home burns in her heart. Now that she’s away, she can see more clearly and feel more deeply the love of home […]
Former British prime minister Tony Blair remembers very clearly the day his faith became personal. When he was 10 years old, his father suffered a severe stroke and was rushed to the hospital. Uncertain if his father would live, he went to school fearful of the future. His teacher, noticing his young student’s anxiety, suggested […]
Few things are more beautiful than a couple in love. Whether newly married or celebrating a golden anniversary, couples who keep love alive, who endure the ups and downs of life together, deserve our admiration. We may consider them lucky, but they will tell you that it’s not luck that keeps them in love. It’s […]
Have you ever noticed how innately curious children are? Just spend a little time with them, and they’ll ask you questions about anything and everything. How does electricity work? Why is the sky blue? How can airplanes fly? Why does it get dark at night? And a hundred other questions. Then, as we grow older, […]
As each new year begins, many of us think about exercising more and eating less, budgeting wisely and getting out of debt, or taking on a host of other challenges. But how many of our well-intended plans really become permanent changes in our lives? Because such change takes more than an impulse, more than mere […]
Great and talented people often struggle with disappointments and self-doubt. Though surprising, perhaps it’s no coincidence, for those very hardships help to inspire and shape their talent. This was the case for world-famous artist Carl Bloch. Considering his rich legacy and the acclaim that followed him throughout his career, one might think he was confident […]
Very often what we want most may not be what is best for us in the long run. In fact, sometimes our greatest growth and happiness come when we don’t get what we want. We’ve all experienced this. Because a young man did not achieve his dream of playing high school basketball, he turned to […]
Anytime is a good time to think about the purpose of our life, to assess where we are and where we’re going. But we definitely seem to do more of that at the beginning of a new year, as we make resolutions or set goals to do things differently. In the process, we might consider […]
Not long ago, a middle-aged woman walked the halls of her old high school. How different and small it seemed now. Memories happy and sad flooded back as she considered the brief moment that those high school years were. Along with some nostalgia, she felt a little regret. She imagined how she might do things […]
Christmas is a season like none other, and central to its celebrations is gathering. From near and far, down the street and around the world, we gather as family, friends, and neighbors to sing and to make memories, to share love and gifts, to warm ourselves in the sweet glow of the season. It’s as […]
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar 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 Judea, unto the city of […]
During this season we celebrate "peace on earth,” yet some of us find it the most busy and stressful time of the year. We worry about decorations and decking the halls, gifts and gatherings—and the many other things we feel we need to do. And, very often, amid all the hustle and bustle, we have a quiet sense that we want to make our celebrations a little different, a little more meaningful than they have been in the past.
At this festive time of year, we go to great lengths to assure that we have a happy holiday. Family traditions take on special meaning as we prepare favorite foods, light candles, hang ornaments on the Christmas tree, and sing the carols of the season. We do all this because we want to have a […]
As any child will tell you, the holidays are a time of eager expectation. Looking forward with hope has defined Christmas for many generations. Indeed, the anticipation of coming events is one of the season’s great joys. Who has not felt the thrill of opening a flap on an advent calendar, breaking a link in […]