In Others’ Words: Just Do It

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, perseverance, quote about life 8 Comments

Maybe  The thing you think you cannot do. If I were to ask you what is the thing you think you cannot do, your “thing” might be summed up in the words, “I can’t get through the next hour.” Or maybe you’d say, “I can’t survive this job.” Or “I can’t deal with this person anymore.” Maybe you’re tired of …

In Others’ Words: The Benefit of Disappointments

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, perspective, Quotes 5 Comments

  Disappointments are unavoidable in life. The question is, what will we get out of our disappointments? How, as Thoreau puts it, shall we be compensated by the discouragements that come our way? Sometimes we don’t stick around after a setback long enough to receive any compensation. We hurry past the disappointment, eager to find a better moment, a happier experience. …

In Others’ Words: The Best of Friends

Beth VogtFriendship, In Others' Words, Quotes 3 Comments

There are so many benefits to good friendships — and by “good” I mean strong, safe, stood-the-test-of-time friendships. Mutual understanding Shared laughter “What? You, too?” moments Inexhaustible forgiveness  Unfettered acceptance I’m certain you could add to my list of benefits. But when you find a friend who encourages your dreams, treasure that friend. Our dreams are fragile things — easily crushed by …

In Others’ Words: Courageous Boundaries

Beth Vogtcourage, In Others' Words, Quotes 13 Comments

Your perspective of a boundary is determined by which side you’re on: the inside or the outside. And it goes without saying — but I’m saying it anyway — that your view of a boundary is also determined by whether you built the boundary (inside) or someone else did (outside). Oftentimes we think boundaries are constructed out of fear. We build …

In Others’ Words: Failure is Never a Certainty

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, perseverance, Quotes 7 Comments

The older I get, the more I value perseverance.  I wasn’t much of an athlete growing up. The first sport I got involved in? Tang Soo Do, a form of martial arts, when I was 18 years old. Yes, I was intrigued by the discipline, but I also thought the instructor was cute. *Blush* While I took exams to advance …

In Others’ Words: Looking Past the Plan

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Life, Quotes 13 Comments

So, I’d like y’all to do something for me today, please. Raise your hand if your life has gone according to plan.  Um … okay, we all know I can’t see your raised hands, but I’m also willing to bet that not a single one of you raised your hands. Am I right? Of course I am. Life rarely lines up with our …

In Others’ Words: Blind “I”

Beth VogtIdentity, In Others' Words, Quotes 10 Comments

  We so often talk about centering ourselves. Finding our inner strength. Searching for, and finding, the person we were meant to be. Well, bravo that. But what about getting out of our own way? How often do we consider that as a path to success, to fulfillment?  Not often enough. As a writer, I often plumb my own life …

In Others’ Words: Doing What is Necessary

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Quotes, success 6 Comments

I agree and disagree with the most-esteemed Mr. Churchill’s statement: “There is no use saying, ‘We are doing our best.’ You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.” There are times when it’s absolutely fine to both say, “I’m doing my best” and to do your best — to give your all to a task, to a challenge, …

In Others’ Words: Honoring Christmas

Beth VogtChristmas, In Others' Words, Quotes, Uncategorized 11 Comments

A common theme among Christmas quotes is the idea that the spirit of Christmas shouldn’t be confined to a single day. Of course, different people mean different things when they talk about the spirit of Christmas. Love. Joy. Goodwill. Kindness. Giving … and receiving.  Truly, all of these attitudes are part of Christmas. And yes, it would be wonderful if we …

In Others’ Words: Expecting a Miracle

Beth VogtChristmas, In Others' Words, Quotes 8 Comments

This time of year overflows with expectancy. Yes, we’re all counting down the days until Christmas morning, when we’re with friends and family. When we can finally dig into our stockings and tear into the brightly wrapped presents. Sit back and savor the sound of laughter and the presence of our loved ones. But if we push past the expectancy …