A thoughtful and wide-ranging collection of prose extracts and poetry from contemporary and traditional literature on the theme of encountering life's changes and challenges and the opportunities this provides for thinking about things of ultimate value. The book is divided into six thematic sections: Identities, Viewpoints, Relationships, Journeyings, Transitions and Transformations. The incredible range of writers featured includes Nick Hornby, Ian McEwan, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Goethe, Penelope Lively, John Milton, Jacqueline Wilson, Eusebius, R.S. Thomas, Melvin Bragg, George Eliot and writers from the Bible. With its diversity of sources and viewpoints, this is a book to engage, stimulate and challenge.