Do you believe in yourself? Or do you believe in what other say about you? Do you, as author L. M. Montgomery says, “live in other people’s opinions”? The thing about others’ opinions? You can get caught in a vortex of competing judgements, conflicting assessments, erroneous presumptions. And then who gets to decide which point of view about you is …
In Others’ Words: The Sacredness of Tears
There was a time in my life when I would not allow myself to cry. Month after month, I refused to cry, swallowing the tears burning the back of my throat. The truth is, I had a lot to cry about. Repeated loss. Ongoing loneliness. And times of dark, dark doubt. My faith wavered. I ached to the very core …
In Others’ Words: What’s Your Main Thing?
I’ve attended hundreds of volleyball games since my youngest daughter started playing back in fifth grade. And I’ve also taken thousands of photographs.Yes, of my daughter, but of her teammates, too. The setters. The outside hitters. The liberos. The defensive specialists. The middle blockers. The right sides. One of my favorite photos? When the team huddles up. The girls do …
In Others’ Words: Looking for the Good Stuff
What are you looking for today? Me? I’m looking for the good stuff. The good people. The good actions. The good interactions. Kindness. Patience. Smiles. Acts of grace. Laughter. That kind of good stuff. And then I’m going to praise that goodness. I’m going to say “thank you” out loud. I’m going to smile back. I’m going to hug …
In Others’ Words: Active Patience
hey I spent part of Sunday evening at the Olympic Training Center watching the awards ceremony for the NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship, where the U.S.A. Men’s Volleyball took the gold medal. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the upper part of the gymnasium wall decorated with quotes. QUOTES. While we waited for the ceremony to start, I alternated between taking …
In Others’ Words: The Serious Business of Joy
I often expect to find joy here. Now. And then I’m reminded that joy is other-worldly. Oh, sure, we can catch glimpses of joy in our lives here on earth. As we love and are loved by others. And I always, always hear echoes of joy in the laughter of children. But the love and grace and forgiveness of God …
In Others’ Words: Small Joys
Just for today, let’s set aside the word “goal,” shall we? Just for today, let’s also set aside the word “happiness.” (Although I had an interesting discussion about happiness while I was in Breckenridge this past weekend. Another blog post.) Small joys. I want to talk with you all about small joys. So often I laser in on the goal — whatever …
In Others’ Words: Redefining Failure
Failure used to scare me — the thought that I would attempt something and not succeed. And because I was afraid of failing, I said no to a lot of things. Why try something if I couldn’t guarantee success? If there’s one thing my writing journey has taught me, it’s that I’m going to experience times of success … and I’m also …
In Others’ Words: The Beauty of a Broken Heart
When I was younger, I thought there was only one way my heart could be broken. I blame my limited thinking on all the Harlequin romances I read as a teenager — and back then, Harlequins were quite innocent. Years later, I know a person’s heart can be broken for many different reasons: the end of a relationship — think of …
In Others’ Words: Milestones and Moments
Life is both moments and milestones. Yesterday, my daughter CJ just accomplished a major milestone in a teenager’s life: She got her driver’s license. An hour later, she drove off in my car, heading to a volleyball workout. Did we celebrate that milestone? Oh, yes, yes, we did! Photos were taken and posted on Facebook and Instagram and there was …