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Think for a moment of someone who made a difference in your life. Maybe it was a family member, a friend, a coach, a teacher, a neighbor. It may even have happened a long time ago, but you still remember and cherish that person’s influence upon you. A young teenage girl thinks of a basketball […]
A high school senior answered her phone, just hours before she was to address her graduating class as valedictorian. On the other end she heard a voice she recognized. It was Sandy. She and Sandy often vied for the same honors and positions. Sandy usually took second. But that day, Sandy was first in the […]
Every Tuesday for months, writer Mitch Albom met with his old professor Morrie Schwartz to talk about life. Morrie was dying, but he taught his former student profound lessons in living. Considering his physical condition, Morrie could have easily accepted pity, but he didn’t. “Why would I ever take like that?” he said. “Taking only […]
The weather began to change, and a man felt inclined to plant something outside in the cold earth. After a hard winter of dark skies and icy storms, the prospect of digging in the ground warmed his heart. So he did some homework, researched the best tree for his chosen spot, and went to see […]
We all have special aptitudes, skills, or gifts. Some people can sing or play an instrument; some are athletic; others can write or draw. Some are especially friendly; some are good listeners; others can solve problems. Whatever our gifts may be, they are best expressed when we use them to help other people. A Chinese […]
From perfect 10s and world records to stunning athletic accomplishments and heartbreaking defeats, we marvel at the drama of the Olympic games. Something stirs in our souls as we witness the pageantry, the inspiring sportsmanship, and the extraordinary achievements on a world stage. But it may be that the greatest story of the Olympics is […]
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.”1 Elizabeth Barrett wrote these now-famous words to her future husband, the esteemed poet Robert Browning, while they were courting. Her love sonnets have since touched the world, but Elizabeth did not show them to Robert during their courtship. He didn’t even know she was writing […]
An evening television news commentator, after delivering story after story of tragic and unhappy events, paused and with a smile on her face and a sound of relief in her voice said, “And now some good news.” She went on to tell of a notable act of service rendered to someone in need. Of course, […]
When acclaimed American artist John Singer Sargent was commissioned to paint the official portrait of Theodore Roosevelt, 26th president of the United States, he spent several days at the White House, hoping to catch the president in just the right setting. One morning as Roosevelt came down the staircase, Sargent approached and asked when the […]
Sooner or later, most of us begin to realize that time is short and so we better enjoy life a little more and spend time where it really counts. How often have we heard ambitious, hard-working people say, as they look back on their lives, that if they could do it all over again, they […]
The turbulent year of 1968 ended on an inspiring note with the spectacular space flight of Apollo 8. It was the first manned mission to orbit the moon, and as the astronauts looked out of their vessel into space, they suddenly caught sight of the earth rising over the moon’s horizon, “a blue and white […]
There is an old West African tale about a man who, more than anything else, wanted to be rich. He devoted his every thought to that endeavor and became quite successful in his quest to amass a great fortune. Nevertheless, his success came with a heavy price, for when at last he had reached his […]
It has been wisely noted that having one foot in yesterday and one foot in tomorrow is a rather unstable position. The best way to face the future, it seems, is to keep both feet in today. We can’t spend too much time looking back, because too much still lies ahead. And we can’t live […]
This is a season of wonder and awe. It’s a time when we remember a wonderful and awe-inspiring story of shepherds, Wise Men, and angels; of a little town named Bethlehem and a magnificent shining star; of a crowded inn and a lowly manger in a stable. Indeed, this is a special time of the […]
Part of what makes the holiday season so memorable is the way it delights our senses with wonderful sights, sounds, and smells. From twinkling lights to delicate snowflakes, from a cinnamon-scented kitchen to a cozy, crackling fire, every sensation of this time of year seems to set our hearts aglow with goodwill. But perhaps our […]
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 […]
The bright lights and joyful sounds, the festivities and parties all mark with excitement the Christmas season. But now and again this time of year is also filled with stress and worry, with frustration and exhaustion, made all the more poignant because of the celebrations that surround us. Sometimes we celebrate Christmas in ways that […]
As we look forward to Christmas this year, let’s look back to Christmases past and appreciate what makes a holiday memorable. Some memories may involve less-than-perfect circumstances—and that’s all right. Few real-life celebrations resemble the slick ads and scenes in holiday movies. In fact, sometimes the most cherished Christmases take place in conditions that are […]
With his car stalled at the side of a quiet country road, and already late for an important meeting, a man stood gazing under the hood wondering what might be wrong in the complicated maze of hoses and wires that lay before him. This was the realm of an auto mechanic, and he had no […]
A young man returned home from college for the holidays. First to greet him was the family dog, who bounded across the room and began nuzzling at his hand. The mother, with a twinkle in her eye, said, “I think he missed you even more than we did!” The scene is familiar in all those […]
Now, as in times past, turmoil and conflict rage across the earth. We long for peace, for harmony among nations and individuals, for serenity to still the commotion around us. As part of this earnest longing for peace, we pause to give thanks and remember a day that must not be forgotten. More than 70 […]
It was a busy workday as commuters rushed headlong toward their busy schedules. But on this day in Washington, D.C., something different happened: a 39-year-old man dressed in jeans, a T-shirt, and a baseball cap took out an old violin and began to play. Few people noticed. Most kept their eyes on the ground or […]
Not long ago, a funeral was held for a man who lived a long and productive life. The flowers and music were beautiful; the remarks about his good life were inspiring. But some who attended were struck by something unusual: there was no mention, either in his obituary or in tributes to his name, about […]
In November 1899, Wilbur Wright queried the United States Weather Bureau to find a rural area with high wind conditions so he and his brother Orville could test a glider. The answer came back, “Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.” History was in the making. For the next four years, Orville and Wilbur experimented with flight, as […]
The story is told of a young boy building a tree house with his father. For months they planned and prepared; they purchased supplies and mapped out details, and then with great anticipation and excitement they began building. Working side by side, they laid boards and hammered nails as the tree house slowly took shape. […]
Some 3,000 years ago, Samuel the prophet led ancient Israel to victory over a powerful enemy. Samuel placed a large stone at the place of their deliverance and dedicated it as a monument to God’s assistance. He called the stone “Eben-ezer,” which meant “stone of help.” The stone became a symbol of the Lord’s goodness […]
After giving a wonderful performance, a highly accomplished pianist was approached by one of his fans. “You played so well,” said the admirer. “I would give my life to play the piano as well as you.” The pianist responded, “I have, I have.” To develop such remarkable talent, this performer had literally given his life. […]
A dialogue in Lewis Carroll’s tale Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland illustrates one reason change can be so hard: “Who are you?” said the Caterpillar. . . . Alice replied, rather shyly, “I—I hardly know, Sir, just at present—at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must […]
Who are the people you most admire, and why? Some admire those who have acquired worldly success, wealth, athletic prowess, prestige, or celebrity. Others look up to those who made a difference in the world or in someone’s life, those who have inspired others to be their best or carry on despite hardship and disappointment. […]
The psalms are among the most beloved poetic works ever written. They have been set to music, recited, and cherished for generations. They speak of hope, of faith, and of a longing for peace. These ancient poems are evidence that people living hundreds of years ago needed reassurance and comfort just as we do today. […]