@bethvogt As I considered possible topics for today’s blog post, I decided to indulge my love of quotes and create graphics for you to enjoy. You’ll find quotes from some of my favorite authors, including two of my writing mentors — waving at you, Rachel Hauck and Susan May Warren. What are some of your favorite quotes about life, …
Merry Christmas and I’ll See You in the New Year
With only 9 days until Christmas — and 8 days until my youngest daughter’s birthday — it’s time for to step back from social media until the New Year. My first blog of 2021 will be on Wednesday, January 6. The holidays have been disrupted by COVID, but I’m intentionally focusing on my family and friends — and even …
Viewing Christmas Through Others’ Words
@bethvogt “My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others.” Bob Hope (1903-2003), British-American comedian and actor My love of quotes prompted today’s post. I decided to step aside this week and let others step front and center stage. I spent last night gathering some of my favorite Christmas quotes for you to enjoy. Let …
Choosing to Balance Our Expectations with Reality During the Holidays
@bethvogt Like it or not, the holidays are coming in the midst of a pandemic. I don’t know anyone who likes it. I also acknowledge each of us honor different holiday traditions: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa. Some of us may have even broken away from our original family customs. And in the midst of all of this, there may be other …
What Do We Do When Thanksgiving and Grief Collide?
@bethvogt Our Thanksgiving holiday is complicated this year. I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised. It is 2020, after all. A world-wide pandemic doesn’t take a day off so we can observe our annual holiday traditions. Some of us have already decked our halls with fa-la-la-la-la because we just need a little Christmas right now – not later. Then in …
Choosing to Believe Love Conquers COVID-19
My 102-year-old mother-in-law was diagnosed with COVID-19 in October. Our family kept the news off social media, told some close friends, and prayed a lot. We also predicted that, in her typical determined fashion, she’d beat the virus. I’ve always said that if my mother-in-law was run over by a Mack truck, she’d stand up, brush herself off, and proclaim, …
Forget New Year’s Resolutions and Choose One Word to Focus on in 2021
I abandoned the tradition of New Year’s resolutions 15 years ago. Instead, I select One Word to focus on. I always look forward to sharing my annual One Word with family and friends, as well as finding out what One Words others select for the coming year. For only the second time in all these years, I’m repeating a One …
Choosing to Make Less Stress a Priority
@bethvogt I snapped a photo of a Good Housekeeping magazine article’s title – “15 No-Fail Stress Busters to Deal with This Year’s Chaos” – and texted it to my 3 daughters and one daughter-in-love. “I think I need every one on this list.” Ha Ha. They each responded with laughing emojis, but I’m certain they all felt the same way …
Keeping the Conversation Going about Suicide
@bethvogt This isn’t the blog post I’d originally written for today. Seven weeks have passed since my friend’s death by suicide. My sadness is sometimes a dull ache; at other times my heart breaks all over again. Last night I realized September is National Suicide Awareness Month, also known as Suicide Prevention Month. I couldn’t ignore the God-prompt to set …
Choosing to Ignore Others’ Negativity About You
Have you ever been treated like someone’s personal fly paper? Not sure what I’m talking about? I can explain. Last week, my daughter, Christa, who is back at college, texted and said one of her friends wanted to “chat.” Anybody else see an instant red flag when a friend says, “Can we chat?” but gives no hint as to what …