Wise Counsel from a Wise Man.

So What is Life all About?

I love the outdoors and the beauty of a sunset. It seems to bring calm and peace when I'm experiencing them. This picture on the left was taken when I was reverently strolling through a sacred grove in Upper State New York. I felt gratitude, love and humility for the event that took place there. Walking through this sacred grove takes me back to the foundation of my beliefs and always inspires me to be a better person.

This is another grove up Provo Canyon in Utah. It has a beauty and peace that somehow seems to calm the nerves.

As I witness the national and global disasters, wars and economic challenges we live with, it causes me grave concern sometimes. In my own personal life, trials and challenges seem to be the norm. I could allow all these outside influences to bring fear and depression-at times it is hard to avoid-or I can find my place of refuge from the storm, my personal sacred grove, where I can find peace, happiness and calm.

For me, I have several places I turn to for my escape from the challenges of life-

My personal time with my sweetheart. We spend every Friday night on as our date night.

Playing with my grandchildren. Their child-like innocence helps me to look at life as if it were a playground, where sometimes you fall down and scrape your knee, but there always seems to be someone there to kiss it better.

I have found pondering as a powerful exercise. In our hurried lives and fast-paced society, we lose opportunities to ponder. Taking time to ponder about what life is all about, will bring flashes of hope and understanding. My wife knows and understands how much I cherish my solitude. Not that I don't like being around her and other people, but I do value the personal time I can spend just thinking and wondering.

Reading and studying. When my mind is occupied with a lot of stuff, a good book helps to sweep me away into another realm. Believe it or not, I really enjoy reading and studying the encyclopedia. It is full of short and to the point bits of interesting information.

Prayer. I can always find a listening ear and an understanding heart from someone who knows me and will nudge me in the right direction.

So what is life all about? You'll have to answer that for yourself as you seek answers from your own sacred groves.

But to me, life is best put by this quote from Jenkins Lloyd Jones:

Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed.

Most putts don’t drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration.

Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise… Life is like an old-time rail journey — delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed.

The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.


So, as you journey through life's challenges, keep a smile on your face and enjoy the ride.