What does it truly mean to live a meaningful life? In this episode of the podcast, Archpriest Fr. Nareg Terterian reflects on a simple but powerful encounter with an elderly man that sparks a deeper meditation on aging, gratitude, and the passage of time. As he celebrates his birthday, Fr. Nareg invites listeners to rethink how we view growing older—not as decline, but as a sacred opportunity to grow in wisdom, purpose, and faith. Drawing inspiration from Arthur Brooks’ book From Strength to Strength, Fr. Nareg explores the shift that many people experience in life: moving from achievement and productivity toward wisdom, service, and deeper meaning. He explains the difference between fluid intelligence, the quick-thinking abilities often associated with youth, and crystallized intelligence, the wisdom that accumulates over time and can guide us toward a more fulfilling life. At the heart of this episode is a simple but transformative framework for living well: Use things. Love people. Worship the divine. Fr. Nareg reflects on how modern society often reverses this order—loving things, using people, and ignoring God—and how rediscovering the right priorities can transform our lives. He also shares why the church is more than tradition or ritual. It is a living encounter with God where community, sacraments, and worship renew our faith and give meaning to our days. From reflections on the cleansing of the temple to the sacred mystery of breaking bread, this episode reminds us that true fulfillment comes not from possessions or achievements, but from a life rooted in gratitude, relationships, and a living connection with God. If you feel caught in the busyness of life, questioning your direction, or searching for deeper meaning, this conversation offers a clear and hopeful path forward. Use what you have wisely. Love the people God places in your life. And keep your heart centered on the divine. Listen, reflect, and be awakened.
