Viewing Christmas Through Others’ Words

Beth VogtBeth K. Vogt, Christmas, Faith, family, gratitude, holidays, hope, In Others' Words, kindness, Life, Love, perspective, Quotes, Relationships 10 Comments

@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 Hear Each Other When We’re Hurting

Beth Vogtacceptance, Beth K. Vogt, brokenness, change, choices, crisis, Friendship, grace, hope, In Others' Words, perspective, Quotes, Relationships, suffering, validation 12 Comments

@bethvogt Get over it. Those three words just may be my least favorite words. Ever.  Quite honestly, I’ve heard the words more than once in my life. Way too many times. Sometimes they’re disguised in the phrase “Don’t be so sensitive.” Three different words – same intent: Get over it. A number of years ago, I shared a struggle with …

Making Room for Each Other This Holiday Season

Beth Vogtacceptance, Beth K. Vogt, challenges, change, choices, Christmas, expectations, family, grace, holidays, In Others' Words, kindness, Life, perspective, Quotes, Relationships, stress, Thanksgiving 9 Comments

@bethvogt   The holiday season is fast-approaching. Thanksgiving? A mere 22 days away. Christmas? Only 48 days. New Year’s Eve? Counting down 54 days. We all have our do’s and don’ts when it comes to celebrating the holidays – or not celebrating the holidays because, let’s be honest, some people aren’t thankful for all the fa-la-la-la-la. I’ve never hated the …

Choosing to Listen to Our Children

Beth VogtBeth K. Vogt, choices, family, goals, home, In Others' Words, Life, Love, perspective, Quotes, Relationships, Thoughts 10 Comments

@bethvogt   My husband and I spent the weekend in Minnesota visiting our youngest daughter at college. I took thousands of photos of Christa’s volleyball team during practice and the two matches the team played on Friday and Saturday. We took her off campus for “real food.” But my favorite part? The time at the Mall of America. Let me …

When Words are Powerful Enough to Change Our Perspective

Beth VogtBeth K. Vogt, change, expectations, Friendship, goals, In Others' Words, One Word, perspective, Quotes, words 21 Comments

  @bethvogt It’s that time of year again, friends. What time of year? The time when I ask, “Are you a resolution kind of person or a One Word kind of person?” I’m wrapping up my 14th year choosing One Word for the year and I haven’t missed New Year’s resolutions. At all.  Writing up a list? Don’t miss it. …

Remember to be Kind … And Forget to be Angry

Beth Vogtacceptance, Beth K. Vogt, change, choices, grace, In Others' Words, kindness, perspective, Quotes, Relationships 8 Comments

@bethvogt Did you hear about former president George W. Bush sitting next to talk show host Ellen DeGeneres at an NFL football game this past weekend between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers? There was quite a Twitter controversy about it. People were upset, wondering why a gay Hollywood liberal was sitting next to a conservative Republican president. …

When It’s Wise to Take Responsibility for Our Anxiety

Beth Vogtanxiety, Beth K. Vogt, challenges, change, choices, emotions, family, In Others' Words, perspective, Quotes, stress 13 Comments

@bethvogt I’m sharing one of my less-than-stellar mom moments today. That’s always fun. Okay, so sharing the time I went a little “cuckoo mama” on one of my kiddos isn’t fun – but it is honest. My youngest daughter Christa headed to college in Minnesota a few months ago. We dropped her off early for volleyball tryouts on August 16, …

Redefining Balance So We Stop Thinking We’re Doing Life Wrong

Beth VogtBeth K. Vogt, challenges, change, expectations, In Others' Words, Life, perseverance, perspective, Quotes, Reality, stress 12 Comments

  I have a certain morning routine. I typed that sentence and immediately – immediately – thought of the many ways my “certain” morning routine is interrupted on any given day. I walked away from this blog post and made myself a cup of tea. Came back, started typing again, all the while laughing out loud so that my husband …

Choosing to Realize Being “Good and Mad” is All Wrong

Beth VogtBeth K. Vogt, challenges, change, choices, emotions, Faith, forgiveness, Friendship, In Others' Words, Life, perspective, Quotes, Relationships, trust 10 Comments

@bethvogt I almost got into an argument with a good friend yesterday – one of my best friends, as a matter of fact. But I hit a huge roadblock on my way to getting “good and mad.” I was lining up all my reasons for being angry and staying that way, and then I got up to walk around my …

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 …