That’s Life

STORY SUMMARIES

A Friend – A friend in need is a friend indeed’ so the saying goes. But do we have that friend?  This story encourages us to develop that special relationship. Read more…

A Wake – What lies in the wake of our individual journeys through life? This story takes us aboard a ship and allows us to question the purpose of our trip. Read more…

Adolescence – Adolescence, the period of pimples and pain; of growth and change. This story looks at the important role of parents during their children’s development as young adults. Read more…

Adopt a loner – Whatever your age or status in life, here’s a way to make someone else’s life a lot happier. Read more

Aging – Do you refer to older people as being ‘over the hill’? This story suggests that ageing is a continuous life process of growth and development from birth to death. Read more…

All you need is love – Maintaining a loving relationship can be tough at times! This story encourages us to keep working together on our relationship. Read more…

Anniversaries – It’s always a good feeling to receive a phone call or text message on our birthday.   This story examines the importance of remembering anniversary dates………. Read more…

Artists – Because we can’t paint or fashion a piece of sculpture, does that mean we are a failure as an artist? This story encourages us to do our best and accept ourselves as we are. Read more…

Aspirations – Not everyone can be the leader, many of us must be followers. This story applauds our genuine aspirations to achieve greatness, but emphasises the importance of supporting and encouraging others. Read more…

Authority – Why do so many kids have a low regard for authority in their lives? This story suggests parents’ attitude to authority could be seriously influencing their children’s behaviour. Read more…

Beauty – How do we determine what is beautiful? This story invites us to consider the real beauty that lies deep within each one of us. Read more…

Being Famous – Are the rewards of being famous all they’re cracked up to be? This story suggests a way to fame that will reap eternal rewards. Read more…

Birth – The birth of a baby.  Is it as much a miracle event for a dad as it is for a mum? This story encourages dads to take a more active role at the birth of their children.  Read more…

Blank Faces – How easy it is for us to get lost in our own little world! This story offers us a way of breaking through the barriers of blank faces we often have to confront. Read more…

Boring – Have you ever felt things were in a rut and you were bored with life? This story offers us some positive ways of overcoming boredom. Read more…

Break – A weekend away together as a family – It’s not as impossible as it sounds! This story considers the local natural beauty and suggests how it can be enjoyed as a family. Read more…

Breaking Down the Barriers – We are one, but we are many.  So the song goes. But many of us still find it hard to accept our neighbours from other countries! This story considers what we need to do if we are to break down some of our personal barriers. Read more…

Camping – Camping gives us the opportunity to get away from our normal surroundings.  Is it possible to experience life at a different location and at a different pace? This story  considers camping as an answer. Read more…

Capturing the Morning – Do you prefer to spend as long a time in bed as you can in the mornings? This story looks at an alternative to staying in bed. Read more…

Celebrating Christmas – Do you get caught up in the mad scramble preparing for Christmas? This story looks at Christmas and what it can mean for us.  Read more…

Cheating – It appears some cheats really do prosper, or so it seems. This story suggests we should consider the long-term effects of cheating rather than the short-term advantages.  Read more…

Christmas in Australia – :  If you live in Australia, a white Christmas is not a reality. This story examines how we celebrate Christmas differently in the ‘lucky country’.  Read more…

Clouds – It seems that clouds can bring more to our lives than just rain. This story starts in the clouds but brings us down to earth and reality. Clouds can bring more to our life than rain! Read more…

Clowns – Although they don’t speak, they have much to tell us! This story sees the problems of the world through the eyes of some permanent residents in sideshow alley. Read more…

Colour – Do we ever question in ourselves how important colours are to us? This story  helps us appreciate how we see and daub colour on the canvas of our lives. Read more…

Complacency – I think we all agree that life can be so much easier if we don’t make waves!  This story challenges us not to be complacent when faced with attacks on our basic moral principles. Read more…

Consequences – So often we do and say things on the spur of the moment that we regret later. This story helps us question the consequences of the actions we take. Read more…

Contrast – There is considerable contrast between Aboriginal and white man’s culture!  This story shows us there is much to learn from the early occupants of this country. Read more…

Control – It is easy to be an impulse buyer of items we can’t really afford!  This story gives  us some positive advantages of saying NO more often.   Read more…

Corruption – There is perhaps a different way of looking at the stories of corruption constantly being uncovered by the media! This story warns us of the dangers of being judgemental of others. Read more…

Country Style – What’s so special about living in the country during these tough times? This story offers us a comparison between different life styles.  Read more…

Coupleness – How can two people unknowingly influence someone they don’t even know?  This story looks at affection and the influence it can have on others. Read more…

Courage – It is not always easy maintaining friendly relationships with some friends and even some members of our families! This story considers how we might need these friendships when the going gets rough. Read more…

Criticism – We don’t have to be reminded of our indiscretions to learn from them! This story suggests we might learn more from encouragement than ridicule. Read more…

Dads – Dads are very special people. Well most of their kids think so anyway! This story  focuses on the importance of Dads role in the scheme of things. Read more…

Decisions – Sometimes we have to ‘hang in there’ as the saying goes. This story is about decisions – When to and when not to make them. Read more…

Dignity – It has been said that we are all disabled to some degree – some more than others!  This story highlights the value attached to employing the handicapped. Read more…

Discrimination – Do we find we discriminate against some in our community for no apparent reason other than that’s what we believe most people think? This story will examine how easy it is to discriminate against others. Read more…

Elections – How do we feel about elections? Can you trust our politicians to fulfill their election promises?  While we might winge about our politicians, what are we doing about it? This story looks at democracy and the alternative. Read more…

Enjoying Valentine’s Day with love – If we believe that love is a decision, not just a feeling, then how will we honor the one we love this Valentine’s Day? Read more…

Entertainment – Are we paying too high a price for the entertainment of our choice? This story looks at the industry and the alternatives. Read more…

Epitaph – What will be said of me after I’m gone? This story considers how others might see us in years to come.  Read more…

Experience – Most would agree that life is full of learning experiences! This story helps us examine the way we handle our day. Read more…

Family – Is enough being done in Australia to promote families? This story looks at our country’s future and the role to be played by the family unit.  Read more…

Fashion – Just because it’s fashionable does it have to mean it is acceptable? This story takes us onto the catwalk to examine current trends.  Read more…

Father’s Day – The value of a gift is the thought behind it, not the cost! This story is about a dad, a boy and the special love between them. Read more…

Fear – Why do we become fearful of something that might never happen? This story might help us overcome some of our deepest fears.  Read more…

Field of dreams – Do we really understand the important role the teachers of our children have today. This story examines today’s education system and what is expected from our terachers.  Read more…

Flowers – Why is it we don’t usually send fellas flowers? This story discusses floral tributes for females and blooms for blokes. Read more…

Flying in to vote – Oh, to be a fly on the wall’, is a phrase we use when we would like to be somewhere without being seen!  This story flies in to watch what happens at a polling booth on election day. Read more…

Forward thinking – What are our plans for the future? This story helps us understand our past and allows us to look forward to what lies ahead. Read more…

Freedom – The best things in life are free – if indeed you give yourself the freedom to enjoy them! In this story we consider what you can get for free here in Australia. Read more…

Friends –Let us not confuse our acquaintances with our friends! This story suggests with friendly persuasion, the advantages of getting and keeping friends. Read more…

Frustrations – It’s certainly easy to get frustrated on our roads! This story suggests it’s better being patient while driving than being a patient in a hospital.  Read more…

Gone – There are times when saying nothing is the strongest form of communication! This story reminds us of the importance of just ‘being there’ for our friends. Read more…

Grandparents – Dreams of a relaxing retirement might be ideal for some people!  This story focuses on today’s changing role of grandparents and how their retirement ideas can change.  Read more…

History – Our Anzac tradition must live on! This story focuses on the need we have to maintain the importance of this legend, lest we forget.  Read more…

Homegrown – Are we really serious about buying Australian made products? This story will get us in tune with the support we give to Aussie recording artists. Read more…

Hurts – Applying antiseptic won’t always heal all our hurts!. This story encourages us to support those who hurt in different ways.  Read more…

Immigrants –For many of us born here it is difficult to imagine being a refugee! This story will help us appreciate our freedom here in Australia. Read more…

It must have been Love – How do we understand love? This story helps us in our search for a definition. Read more…

Kid’s Personalities – Should we expect our kids to do things the way we do them?  This story examines the unique differences in our personalities. Read more…

Learning – Is the fact that we would rather not change from doing things our own preferred way hampering our outlook?  This story considers the advantages of accepting change.  Read more…

Lets talk texting – Do you talk with your thumbs or do you still use the telephone to communicate? This story considers both the good and bad aspects of today’s communication technology.  Read more…

Listening – Are we effective listeners or compulsive talkers? This story considers the differences between hearing and listening. Read more…

Living – It seems we all learn about life differently! This story compares the differences between life and living. Read more…

Love – What is this thing called love? This story sees love not just as a feeling but as a decision. Read more…

Making music – The hills might be alive with the sound of music but are we listening to it? This story sounds out ways music affects our everyday actions. Read more...

Marks – Some marks cannot be removed by even the best detergents! This story looks at the marks we are leaving for posterity. Read more…

Memories – Will the pictures taken now allow us to have proud memories in the future? This story helps us get the right perspective into our photos. Read more…

Men and their sheds – Women often wonder what is so special about men’s sheds! This story uncovers ‘secret men’s business’ and the need for sheds. Read more…

Milestones – It is good to celebrate those special milestone birthdays when they occur!  This story views one particular milestone as more than just a birthday. Read more… 

Minding Leroy – Grandparents get asked to help their family in so many ways! This story offers an example of one helpful opportunity that gave considerable pleasure. Read more…

Mistakes – It can be embarrassing at times when we have to admit we have made a mistake! This story might help us face up to the error of our ways.  Read more…

Misty Morning – Have you ever chosen to go for a walk in the very early morning? This story quietly watches night turn into day.   Read more…

Moderation – It would be handy if we could purchase self-control on special at the supermarket! This product doesn’t seem available, so this story offers us a recipe for a balanced life prepared in a moderate environment. Read more…

Mondays – If some days are diamonds then many Mondays are stones! This story helps us learn to accept those things in life we cannot change. Read more…

Mornings – In the mornings, are you a bright spark or a grump? This story is all about our own differences, especially in the mornings. Read more…

Nature –  It’s certainly not on the list of drugs available from pharmaceutical companies for doctors to prescribe!  This story considers how nature can be a great stress reliever. Read more…

Neighbors – How well do we get along with our neighbors? This story encourages us to at least say G’day to each other. Read more…

New Year – It has often been said the best form of defence is attack! This story challenges us to approach a new year with Aussie determination.  Read more….

Noses – How successful are we at keeping our noses out of other people’s business? This story leaves nose-stone unturned in blowing the bugle on noses. Read more…

Now – Do we tend to see the morning as a continuation of yesterday’s worries? This story helps us focus on the importance of the present moment. Read more…

Opposites – What type of world are we leaving behind for our kids and our grandchildren? This story compares the difference between our ideals and our actions. Read more…

Organising – Disciplining ourselves to accept change can be a real pain! This story is about ‘the best laid plans of mice and men’. Read more…

Our Lives – What is this life of ours all about? This story focuses on the need we have to help each other survive. Read more

Parenting – Do your kids give you sleepless nights and grey hairs when they are growing up? This story offers some long-term advantages of being a parent. Read more…

Parents – Is today’s society denigrating the value of family life? This story helps us look at and judge ourselves as parents. Read more…

Partners – Like a tree that grows and blossoms, so too will our children. This story  compares the difficulties of youth and growth with the wonder of maturity. Read more…

Pay Packet – Have we become slaves to our pay packet? This story is directed at the more positive aspects of our work.  Read more…

Persistence – Persistence in maintaining life-long commitments is not easy! This story will help us survive the contrasts within our existence. Read more…

Pets – How we care for our pets is often an indication of how we relate to each other! This story focuses on the pets in our families. Read more…

Polling day – Working at a polling booth on an election day can be interesting, to say the least.  In this story place names and dates have been changed to protect the guilty.  Read more…

Prepare – Do we heed the Scout motto to ‘always be prepared’? This story questions our degree of preparedness for a special event we often tend to disregard. Read more…

Presents – Why can’t we be realistic about the money we spend on Christmas presents! This story offers us a way to save and yet still enjoy the fun of giving and receiving. Read more…

Projects – Can we really keep up with the pace of today’s activities? This story offers some solutions to our every-day problems.  Read more…

Remembrance Day – It might only require a minute of our time, but it is important we remember what has been done for us in the past. This story focuses on Remembrance Day. Read more…

Respect – Are the breakdowns in many relationships really through a lack of communication?  This story delves a bit deeper into our loving relationships. Read more…

Responsibility – Can we accept the responsibility of helping those less fortunate than ourselves? This story focuses on those in our community doing it tough.  Read more…

Riches – What would it be like to win lotto? I was there the night our numbers came up. Read more…

Rust – Hate can smoulder within us and seriously affect our health! This story offers a solution to a rusty problem. Read more…

Safety and Health – In our workplaces the safety and health of workers is a major concern! This story questions whether we have the same concerns in our work areas around our homes. Read more…

Sap – How responsible are we when it comes to protecting our environment? This story offers a means of progress without dooming future generations. Read more…

School Leavers – School leavers have the difficult task of trying to decide their future career path. This story examines the problem and offers some parental advice.  Read more…

Seasonal Killings – Is Christmas really a time of peace and good will in our homes? This story takes a look at our responsibilities during the Christmas holiday season. Read more…

Seeds – We expect seeds we plant in our gardens to produce abundantly! This story  considers the importance of nurturing seeds of many varieties. Read more…

Seeing Eyes – What you see is not always what you get! This story gives us an insight into the value of the visual. Read more…

Self – Are we really just an insignificant speck in the overall concept of life? Our look at life shows how important we are and how we can recognise this.  Read more…

Service – Service stations perhaps should be renamed as fuel outlets! Our look at life examines the service, if any, customers are being offered today. Read more…

Smiling – Smiling is a universal language we all understand! This story helps to emphasise the importance of us smiling more often. Read more…

Spectator parents – It is good that parents show an interest in their kids sporting activities. This story considers way we might choose to be encouraging spectators. Read more…

Stars – We don’t have to be hit on the head to see stars before our eyes! This story concerns the stars and the clouds in our lives. Read more…

Strength – Working out in the gym isn’t the only way to increase our strength!  This story has a strong look at the many definitions of strength. Read more…

Success – How do we measure success? This story considers how we might all aim to be successful in different ways. Read more…

Symbols – We see symbols constantly each day! This story gives a tick to our own personal symbol.  Read more…

Technology unveiled – Is life really like a box of chocolates or could it be more like a computer. This story bypasses the soft centres and concentrates on maintaining our personal operating system in good order. Read more…

Terrorism – It sometimes takes a catastrophic event to make us stop and look at our lives! This story focuses on terrorism and its effect on us. Read more…

The economy – Global financial movements seriously affect our economic situation here in Australia!  This story bypasses international currencies and spotlights specific individuals. Read more…

The Killing Fields – Our TV news coverage constantly shows us death and destruction from countries around the world!  This story sadly also looks at death but it also gives us hope.   Read more…

The Seven Wonders – .There are recognised wonders in the world but this story looks at the wonders in our lives a bit closer to home. Read more…

The transformation – It is always nice to feel wanted!  This story examines the transformation that can happen when it might seem all is lost. Read more…

Thinking – When things go wrong in our life, it’s easy to want to throw in the towel. This story considers how we can approach a seemingly impossible situation. Read more…

Timely Advice – Have you got the time to listen to what our look at life has to say today? This story offers us some advice that is timeless. Read more…

Today – Our lives today are certainly different from what they were in years gone by! This story takes a sneak peak backwards but prefers the reality of today.  Read more…

Touching – We can be quite touched when someone does something special for us! This story reaches out and touches someboby.  Read more…

Trapped – Have you ever been trapped in a confined space! This story might help us get free of some of those tight corners in our lives. Read more…

Travel – Travel agents can offer us amazing places to visit and enjoy! This story encourages us to enjoy the trip but to take care of ourselves. Read more…

Twilight – Photographing the sunset is something most photographers love doing!  This story shines its light on twilight.  Read more…

Unconditional Love – It would be great if everything we purchased came with an unconditional guarantee! This story defines the word ‘unconditional’ when it is paired up with parental love.  Read more…

Uniqueness – Police around the world rely on everyone having a different set of fingerprints! This story sees us all as being uniquely different but sometimes wanting to be the same. Read more…

Valentines Day – Will you be receiving flowers and chocolates this Valentine’s Day? This story suggests different ways of celebrating this special day. (See also story ‘Enjoying Valentines Day with Love’).   Read more…

Waiting – Having to wait in a queue at times can be such a pain! Hopefully, this story will help  us endure the queue and play the waiting game. Read more…

What the sign says – Do we ever question what those in authority tell us? This story  suggests our conscience should be our guide to decision making.  Read more….

Who am I – So often you hear of individuals questioning themselves as to who they really are?   This story considers how this question might receive an answer. Read more…

Youth regained – We should never think we are too old to be of some value to others. Our Look at Life is a story of a happy transformation. Read more…

Worry – For some people, worry seems to be a constant companion! This story tries to take the worry out of worrying. Read more…