I was chatting with my friend Gianna on the phone yesterday when she said, “I feel like it’s the day after Disneyland.” And then she laughed. “You know what I mean?” Yes. Yes, I knew exactly what Gianna meant. You probably do too. Disneyland. “The happiest place on earth” right? Most of us plan for weeks, if not months, to …
When It’s Not a Happy New Year
We’re eight days into the new year and may I just say I’d like a do-over? Of course, I know that’s not how life works. There’s no rewind button in life. No pause button, either. We do life in forward motion – sometimes fast-forward. Circumstances? Well, they are often beyond our control. The first week of this brand-new year has …
Choose One Word to Change You in the New Year
As 2019 wound down and the new year – and the new decade – approached, I gathered words. One Words, to be exact. Let me back up. Many of you might be concentrating on a list of resolutions for 2020, but I abandoned that practice 14 years ago. Instead, I choose One Word for the year and center my heart …
Choosing to Define Christmas
How would you define Christmas? People have a lot to say about Christmas. Just google “quotes about Christmas” and you’ll discover all sorts of things that people think about Christmas. I happen to like what Dale Evans had to say: “Christmas, my child, is love in action.” One brief sentence. Seven simple words. But if you look closer, there’s a …
Honesty and Hope for the Holidays
@bethvogt I was still in elementary school when I learned that tragedy – sorrow, grief – doesn’t take time off for the holidays. All the houses in our neighborhood were decorated with lights, festive wreaths on the front doors, a few lawns decorated with statues of snowmen or reindeer or candles. All the houses, save one. One of the …
Choosing to Hear Each Other When We’re Hurting
@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
@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
@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
@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. …
The Problem of Letting “What If?” Lead Us into Our Future
@bethvogt Most mornings I wake up and wander into the bathroom down the hall, step on to the small electronic scale, and start the morning off with a quick check of my weight. Some mornings it’s an “all good” kind of day. And some mornings it’s an “uh-oh” kind of day. My reaction is directly related to my actions …