I wouldn’t say I never listen. But there have been times when I haven’t listened. Sometimes it was a case of tuning someone out — yes, deliberately — because I didn’t want to hear what was being said. Sometimes it was exhaustion, pure and simple. And sometimes I didn’t realize my attention had wandered until something — a question maybe, …
In Others’ Words: Everything … or Nothing (& Contest Winner!)
I’m all for going for the win. For not giving up. For try, try, trying again. But I’ve learned a hard lesson — a life lesson that’s shaped me even as it broke me — that all the “try” in the universe doesn’t always get you what you want. Or who you want. And sometimes, along the way, you lose …
In Others’ Words: Compassion
Let’s end the week with a bit of hope, shall we? And there is an abundance of hope in Lisa Harper’s statement. Compassion encompassing mistakes … even more, Christ’s miraculous compassion obliterating my worst mistake. So much hope. How can I grasp it? Sometimes I forget this unfathomable truth. I forget the amazing should-bring-me-to-my-knees reality that I am forgiven. That …
In Others’ Words: Shortcuts
We all are looking for success of one type or another. Maybe you’re focused on personal success, becoming a better version of yourself in some way. Run faster. Think smarter. Live kinder. Or maybe now is all about professional success. Achieving your dream job. Or a promotion. Or recognition of some sort that says “You’ve done it” — whatever laudatory …
In Others’ Words: Sometimes
You ever have a week that felt like seven Mondays in a row? Or are you staring down a lo-o-o-ng Monday? Was last week filled to the brim with frustration … or discouragement … or sadness? And now it’s the beginning of a new week and, oh look! you’re still frustrated or discouraged or sad. Sometimes that’s just how the …
In Others’ Words: Attitude
I wonder what kinds of attitudes I’ve left strewn around this past week? Little bits of me, of remembrances … for better, for worse. (Of course, I’m prepping this blog post early, with all sorts of good intentions … but I’ll reread it at the end of the week, with perspective and conviction.) But I digress. (And let’s admit it: …
In Others’ Words: Progress
Sometimes progress is hard. It’s tears. And throwing myself on the floor in a virtual old-fashioned wail of a temper tantrum. And sitting in silence because there … are … no … words. And venting the emotion that won’t be exhausted no matter how much I hash it out. Again and again and again. But sometimes, oh hallelujah! Laughter is …
In Others’ Words: Error
This quote by author George Saunders came from a college commencement speech he delivered at Syracuse University this past May. When I read Saunder’s speech, posted in the New York Times, I stumbled into this quote — Err in the direction of kindness — and knew I’d be posting it on this blog. Erring in the direction of kindness. A …
In Others’ Words: Remain
Circumstances are powerful. For all their changeability, circumstances have one steadfast quality: They can change me. I can start the day off feeling settled, self-assured, at peace with myself and others. And then circumstances do an about-face … or maybe they do a complete end-over-end. And suddenly that oh-so-confident me has left the building. The whole “Who am I?” question …
In Others’ Words: Spine Poetry
It’s getting late on Thursday night. I’m not feeling particularly productive or creative … and there’s a blog post to write. So I’m taking advantage of others’ creativity and sharing some of the Spine Poetry fun that’s been happening on my Author Facebook page. I’ve run into some incredibly imaginative people this past week — and they’ve all created some …