To think of my words as music … that gives me pause. When I speak, what am I adding to the melody others hear? Are my words kind? Do they add a gentle beauty to the world? Or do I speak harsh words that create a discordant ugliness? Scripture warns words can be as destructive as fire (James 3:6) …
In Others’ Words: Energizing the Blues
I love the quotes that set me back on my heels and make me go, “Huh.” That’s exactly how I reacted to what Duke Ellington said — only I smiled when I said, “Huh,” and then I told my husband he had to read the quote, too. Let’s just all admit we pout. The question isn’t really what do we do …
In Others’ Words: Entertaining Hope
Are you entertaining hope? Indulge me for a minute while I play with that word “entertain.” Have you invited “great hopes” (plural) into your life? Anticipated the arrival of great hopes? Thrown the door wide open and embraced great hopes telling them, “I’m so glad you’re here! I’ve been waiting for you!” Or have you told “great hopes” they’re not …
In Others’ Words: The Electricity of Enthusiasm
I don’t understand the allure of paddling a board out against cold, cold waves and then waiting and watching for just the right wave to (finally) appear so you can ride the wave into shore … so you can repeat the whole process again and again and again. But the the two surfers I watched from the Manhattan Beach pier …
In Others’ Words: Everybody Stay Calm!
If Los Angeles airport (LAX) was the ultimate pass-fail test of my ability to remain calm in a stressful environment … I failed. I’d love to be able to take an impromptu poll and ask, “Have you ever been to LAX?” And by “been to,” I mean, have you ever had to go through security at LAX to get to your …
In Others’ Words: Do You Hear the Laughter?
It’s springtime in the Rockies here in Colorado. That means we are enjoying flowers blooming … and we’re also still dealing with cold weather. Wind. Snow. Ice. That sort of thing. After living here for almost 18 years, I’ve gotten used to it. After all, my daughter, Amy, played girls spring soccer in both middle school and high school — and …
In Others’ Words: Bits of Yourself and Beauty Marks
It’s funny how a person (me) who used to aim for perfection (ha!) now finds beauty in less-than-perfect things. That photograph of the brick wall that I used for today’s quote? I took it while I was on a tour of the Seattle Underground last month. Interesting story, that. The tour consists of walking the main streets and first-floor storefronts of old downtown …
In Others’ Words: The Encouragement of Doubts and Mistakes
I like to encourage people. And I like it when other people encourage me. Someone else’s encouragement — a word, a hug, a smile — can make all the difference in a day, can’t it? And I like today’s quote because it’s brimming with encouragement: Take a step forward even if you’re doubting. Go ahead and do the risky thing. …
In Others’ Words: Becoming Someone of Worth
Goals. I’ve read articles about goal-setting. Sat in workshops about goal-setting. I know that goals should be S.M.A.R.T. : SPECIFIC MEASURABLE ACHIEVABLE REALISTIC TIME-BOUND All good tips for helping me (and you) break down goals so that we can reach them. But all too often we focus on the goal — where we want to go — and we …
In Others’ Words: What It All Comes Down To
I don’t have a whole lot to say today. Wednesday was a long day. A difficult day. A discouraging day. Have you ever fought for something … or rather fought against something that is wrong? I mean written down in black and white wrong? And you aren’t heard? The wrong-ness of it all continues? And it just doesn’t make sense. …