In Others’ Words: The Hidden Music in Obstacles

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Life, quote about life 6 Comments

My friend Dee said this is one of her favorite quotes — and that I was the one who shared it with her. I’ll take her word for it. The truth is, I’ll take Dee’s word on a lot of things. And whether I came across the quote first, or whether she did … I like it. One of my …

In Others’ Word: Life Has Two Rules

Beth VogtFaith, In Others' Words, Life 16 Comments

Can I be honest and I admit that I quit last week? I sat on the floor in my bedroom, tears running down my face, and told my husband, “I can’t do this” — “this” basically being the list of “have tos” I was staring at. Yeah … not a shining moment in my life. So I quit — for …

In Others’ Words: The Need for “This I Knows”

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Life, quote about life 12 Comments

So Monday’s blog post was about reframing impossibilities. Today’s post is about certainties. I have to admit I kept tripping up over the phrase “The thing about getting older is … “ because, well, while I am getting older, I like to ignore that reality. Overlook the wrinkles. Highlight and lowlight my way past the gray. Celebrate my birthdays, sure, but …

In Others’ Word: This-a-Way or That-a-Way

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Life, quote about choices 14 Comments

I so enjoy the eloquence of Yogi Berra. Granted, it’s a bit garbled, but the man speaks truth. When you come to a fork in the road, take it. Make a decision. Make a choice. Keep moving.  And yes, sometimes the decision we have to make is all about choosing between a right or wrong possibility. But sometimes it is about making …

In Others’ Words: Worries and Troubles That Never Happen

Beth VogtFaith, In Others' Words, Life 4 Comments

Sometimes life can scare me to death. On the days I let myself be ruled by the what ifs and the might bes … well, I’m a dead woman walking, overflowing with worries. Of course, I’ve had to sign on the dotted inummerable parental permission slips detailing how my kiddos could have been injured, maimed, and yes, killed while playing school sports. …

In Others’ Words: Losing and Winning

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Life 5 Comments

  When it comes to competition, I am not one of those “everyone’s a winner” kinds of people. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. That’s what competition is all about — winning and losing. It’s always more fun, more satisfying, when you win. But that’s not real life. Growing up, I tended to shy away from sports. Why? I was …

In Others’ Words: Start Here

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Life, quote about life 9 Comments

Oftentimes to embrace the future I’ve had to let go of something I’ve loved. For years I thought of myself as a writer. Occasionally I would say to a friend, “I want to write.” But I was busy being a mom — and I love my kiddos. I was busy teaching women’s Bible studies — and I loved spending time with …

In Others’ Words: when I was a child …

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Life, quote about choices 10 Comments

When I was I child … somedays all I wanted to be was grown up. And now, when older is, well, at least a bit wiser, I would go back and tell younger-me to slow down. Don’t be in such a hurry to lay claim to adulthood — because once you’re all grown up, there’s no going back. As a …

In Others’ Words: It Ain’t Over …

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Life, Quotes 11 Comments

My kiddos grew up hearing certain phrases, certain Vogtisms, if you will. One of them is: There’s always room for one more.  Translation: Go ahead and invite someone else over for (insert holiday here) dinner. We’ve got plenty of food and plenty of room. Another Vogtism is: Vogts don’t quit.  Translation: You join the swim team — you’re on the …

In Others’ Words: Living Life Unwrapped

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Life, quote about life 6 Comments

The Christmas season isn’t that far past — the time of giving and getting presents. Truth be told, I still have wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows waiting to be organized and put away until next year. There’s something almost too lovely to touch about a present wrapped just so with coordinating paper and ribbons. But I’ll admit a partiality to the …