What Is an Individualist? A man who lives in the city and commutes to the suburbs. –Michael Meaney Different Drum Why should we be in such desperate haste to succeed, and in such desperate enterprises? If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let…
Author: Alan Holden
Incarnation
The Communion of Life with Life “The best way to send an idea,” said scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer, “is to wrap it up in a person.” The theological word for that is incarnation, meaning “in the flesh.” Jesus was the incarnation of God. Jesus was the way that God sent His idea to humanity; there…
Identity
Authenticity—the Real Me A woman got on an elevator in a tall office building. There was just one other person in the elevator, a handsome man. She pushed the button for her floor and then casually looked over at the man and suddenly had one of those moments of recognition shock. Could it be? The…
Humility
Real Humility A college girl visited the home of Beethoven. She slipped under the rope and began playing Beethoven’s piano. She said to the one in charge, “I suppose every musician who comes here wants to play this piano.” He explained to her that recently the great Pederewski was visiting there and someone asked him…
Hospitality
Hospitality Tips Someone once asked Perle Mesta, the great Washington hostess, the secret of her success in getting so many rich and famous people to attend her parties. She said it was all in the greetings and the good-byes. As each guest arrived, she met him or her with “At last you’re here!” And as…
Hope
Start with A Brownie A number of years ago, in a mental institution outside Boston, a young girl known as “Little Annie” was locked in the dungeon. The dungeon was the only place, said the doctors, for those who were hopelessly insane. In Little Annie’s case, they saw no hope for her, so she was…
Honesty
Bending the Truth A young mother encountered her son on the street when he should have been in school. When the boy finished explaining why he was not where he was supposed to be, the mother replied, “I’m not accusing you of telling a life. I’m just saying that I have never before heard of…
Happiness and Joy
In the Long Run If you wish to be happy for one hour, get intoxicated. If you wish to be happy for three days, get married. If you wish to be happy for eight days, kill your pig and eat it. If you wish to be happy forever, learn to fish. –Chinese proverb Limits A…
Handicaps
Handicap’s Triumph John Bartel was a healthy, athletic, twenty-year-old young man who was gradually taking full charge of the family dairy farm with all its multiple duties. It was a beautiful spring day in the lusciously green Fraser Valley, British Columbia. The grass was just right for filling the huge silos for winter feed. John…
Habit
Rush, Rush I heard recently about a man who prided himself on being exceedingly punctual. He followed a very precise routine every morning. His alarm went off at 6:30. He rose briskly, shaved, showered, ate his breakfast, brushed his teeth, picked up his briefcase, got into his car, drove to the nearby ferry landing, parked…