First, you decide if you are going to let your years or your abilities limit you. Life is a balancing act between constraining limitations and endless possibilities. There are some precocious babies, bright and winsome but they won’t be talking to their parents at six months. …

The loss of a friendship is often underestimated but can have far-reaching effects — The phone rang at 8a.m on a Sunday morning. Still, in bed, I sleepily reached out to answer it. Instead of your cheery greeting, I said a tentative “Hello.” My pastor’s voice replied, “Veann, this is Tom. I want to tell you before I announce it in church. …

By caring for others, he extends their world In the 21st century, the legacy of some statesmen and saints has been tarnished by new trends and beliefs. The current scandals in the Church, entertainment industry, and politics have disillusioned us. …

Accept your rituals if they add value to your life — The British celebration of the platinum jubilee of the reigning Queen Elizabeth has given the world a demonstration of pomp, pageantry and ritual. The Balcony scene with her son and his wife, her grandson, his wife, and their children were part of that ritual. …

We can live joyously through tough times — The fragility of life is difficult to ignore when three of your friends are in hospital and one is at home recovering from several broken ribs. In that same ravaged community, two are battling cancer as well. …