“Forgiveness is giving up the possibility of a better past.” ~Unknown I keep a gift beside my bed. It’s wrapped in shiny blue paper and adorned with a white bow. And, yes, I know what’s in the box. And, no, the gift isn’t for me. I gave the gift to someone more than a decade ago. Inside the box is …
In Others’ Words: Joy
“Joy is the best makeup.” ~Anne Lamott, novelist & nonfiction writer Sometimes I don’t want to look in the mirror. Well, really, sometimes I look too closely in the mirror and I get all uptight about this wrinkle and that wrinkle and that one there! and there! and there! Sheesh. I’m surprised I don’t go running through the house with …
In Others’ Words: Beauty
“Beauty …. is the shadow of God on the universe.” ~ Gabriela Mistral, Chilean Poet, Desolacion (a poem) One of the advantages of living in Colorado is that I get to savor the most a-ma-zing sunrises and sunsets. We’ve lived here 13 1/2 years now, and I haven’t seen the same sunset twice. The colors are stunning: vivid oranges, startling …
In Others’ Words: Whatcha’ Thinking?
“We become what we think about all day long.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist & poet I was a pretty fearful kid growing up. Sad to say, I dragged some of my fears right into adulthood. What made me change? My first child was born. I remember being at home with my baby boy and the lights went out. It …
In Others’ Words: Books
“Reading is a means of thinking with another person’s mind; it forces you to stretch your own.” ~Charles Scribner, Jr., American publisher More than once I’ve confronted the question “What’s the best book you’ve ever read?” — or some derivative of that question. Usually, my response is something like, “How do you expect me to pick only one book?!” Last week, when …
In Others’ Words: Focus
“It is wise to direct your anger towards problems — not people; to focus your energies on answers — not excuses.” ~ William Ward, English missionary & author There came a time in my life when I had to face a harsh reality: I was an angry mommy. I had a lot of aspirations for myself as a mom — …
In Others’ Words: Color
“I cannot pretend to feel impartial about colors. I rejoice with the brilliant ones and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns.” ~Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman Green is my all-time favorite color. Not any-old green — a vivid, forest green. My living room and dining room are both painted a lush green … and I have no plans to …
In Others’ Words: Conversations
“Most conversations are simply monologues delivered in the presence of a witness.” ~ Margaret Millar, American-Canadian mystery-suspense writer Do I ever come across like that out-of-proportion-mostly-a-mouth woman pictured above? Oh, how I hope not. Do I participate in conversations with friends and family? Or do I act like some sort of running off at the mouth comedian positioned front and …
In Others’ Words: Seeds
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson, Scottish novelist You ever have one of those days when you crawl into bed and think, “I didn’t accomplish anything today?” That’s because you’re thinking “harvest,” not “seed.” When you’re all about the harvest, you’re thinking way-too-far down the …
In Others’ Words: Memories
“Memories without dreams are anchors.” ~Dan Rockwell, aka “Leadership Freak” Memories are precious. My life is all the richer for the memories I’ve tucked away. But if all I have is memories — images of days gone by — those very things I treasure will weigh me down, dragging all my forward motion to a stop. I also need dreams-yet-to-come-true …