In my world history comes down to language and art. No one cares much about what battles were fought who won them and who lost them - unless there is a painting a play a song or a poem that speaks of the event.
Great art speaks a language which every intelligent person can understand. The people who call themselves modernists today speak a different language.
Every happening great and small is a parable whereby God speaks to us and the art of life is to get the message.
I should just put it bluntly because we're all sort of friends here now - it's exceedingly likely that my greatest success is behind me. Oh so Jesus what a thought! You know that's the kind of thought that could lead a person to start drinking gin at nine o'clock in the morning and I don't want to go there.