Choosing to Believe I’m not an Imposter

Beth Vogtacceptance, anxiety, Beth K. Vogt, challenges, change, choices, confidence, Faith, freedom, hope, Identity, Life, perspective, Quotes, success, Thoughts 14 Comments

@bethvogt This was my friend Jenny’s text to me yesterday morning at 6:12 a.m.: In life, and perhaps you overcame this, who did you believe you had to be accepted and/or approved by? By the way, good morning.  My reply: Oh my word! Do you want an alphabetical list? Jenny and I have conversations like this. All the time. Sometimes …

Choosing Not to be Afraid of the Dark

Beth Vogtanxiety, Beth K. Vogt, bravery, challenges, change, childhood, choices, courage, emotions, Faith, freedom, hope, Life, mental health, perseverance, perspective, Quotes 11 Comments

I was afraid of the dark when I was a child. Truth is, I was afraid of the dark when I was a 21-year-old newlywed. That was a bit of surprise to my husband. I had both real and imaginary reasons to be afraid of the dark.  Make believe monsters are scary enough. The real-life ones? Those are harder to …

Realizing Stories Connect Us: Where Were You on September 11, 2001?

Beth Vogtbravery, choices, courage, crisis, freedom, In Others' Words, perspective, Quotes, story 11 Comments

@bethvogt   There are days that change a generation. That change the world forever. Days that are marked as “never to be forgotten.” Today is one of those days. On September 11, 2001 – 18 years ago – four U.S.  commercial airplanes were hijacked in terrorist attacks on our country. A total of 2, 977 people were killed in New …

Uprooting Racism from Our Family Tree

Beth Vogtacceptance, Beth K. Vogt, challenges, change, choices, family, freedom, hope, Identity, In Others' Words, Life, Love, perspective, Quotes, Relationships, story 18 Comments

Choosing to Love Someone for Who They Are by @bethvogt Last October, my son Josh remarried. His wife is a beautiful young woman named Meagan. I remember months earlier when my husband and I talked with Josh about his relationship with Meagan – about how we knew he was falling in love with her and yes, her three children. We …

Who’s to Blame for Bullying?

Beth Vogtbullying, challenges, change, choices, family, forgiveness, freedom, hope, In Others' Words, Life, perspective, Quotes, Relationships, suffering 6 Comments

Reality, Forgiveness, and an Apology by @bethvogt Bullying is a hot topic these days. It gets talked about in schools and covered in the media. Experts discuss both cause and prevention – admitting that solutions to bullying are not simple.  About 1 in 3 U.S. students experience bullying. Yeah, that statistic bothers me … but I grieved when my daughter …

Identifying Unclaimed Emotional Baggage

Beth Vogtchange, choices, courage, freedom, Identity, Life, perspective 18 Comments

Being Brave Enough to Deal with Our Stuff by @bethvogt Last weekend one of my closest friends texted me this question: When does all the baggage stop bubbling to the surface? Her question is a bit of a mixed metaphor, yes, but still it brought to mind a vivid image: a murky lake filled with suitcases bobbing to the the …

In Others’ Words: Thinking about Freedom

Beth Vogtfreedom, In Others' Words, Quotes 6 Comments

As we celebrate the 4th of July today, I’m always thankful for the freedom we share as Americans. And I’m also thankful for those military men and women — past, present, and future — who defend our freedom.  [ctt template=”8″ link=”6tg74″ via=”yes” ]In Others\’ Words: Thinking about Freedom http://wp.me/p63waO-2mU #4thofjuly #quotes [/ctt]