In Others’ Words: What Each New Day Brings

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, perspective, Quotes 5 Comments

I’m writing this blog post in a hotel room in Minnesota. A rerun of Iron Chef is on the TV. My husband and daughter are discussing our plans for tomorrow — a college visit and then flying home to Colorado. When I’m done with this blog post, I need to pack. And I’m tired. Of course, I have good reasons …

In Others’ Words: The Power of Sister Relationships (and GIVEAWAY)

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Quotes, sisters 53 Comments

  There’s so much I could say … so much I want to say in today’s blog post. And yet I weigh my words. Mindful of my word count. Mindful of so much more. My debut women’s fiction novel, Things I Never Told You, releases today. It’s a Little Women gone wrong story about the Thatcher sisters: Johanna, Jillian, and …

In Others’ Words: Eliminate Hurry

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, perspective, Quotes 6 Comments

I almost … almost made this a one word blog post. The one word would have been “How?” How do we “Ruthlessly eliminate hurry”? Dallas Willard’s statement is grand — Stop hurrying — and show no mercy toward anything that stands in your way of slowing down! — but let’s be honest with one another. Eliminating hurry from our lives …

In Others’ Words: Imagination Will Take You Everywhere

Beth Vogtcreativity, In Others' Words, Quotes 45 Comments

There was a time when I tried desperately to come up with a new story idea. As the saying goes, I had nothing. I played the writer’s “what if?” mind game while I drove around town. While I moved laundry from the washer to the dryer to the laundry basket. While I grocery shopped. While I loaded the dishwasher. While …

In Others’ Words: Repeating Good

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, perspective, Quotes 8 Comments

  Have you ever gotten an irritating song stuck in your head? You hear it over and over again … Yeah, that kind of repeat is not a good thing. But there are times when a certain song uplifts my mood or touches my heart or even inspires me as I write. And I pull the song up on Spotify …

In Others’ Words: It’s Not About Luck

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, opportunities, Quotes 5 Comments

  I’ll skip over luck, thank you very much, and go for opportunities every time. Even those “lucky breaks” people talk about? Those were just opportunities in disguise.  Think about it: That time you met someone who knew someone … and that other someone helped you along the path to your dream. Or that part-time, temporary job that somehow helped …

In Others’ Words: Hold Your Ground

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, perspective, Quotes 5 Comments

  I wonder how many battles have been won because someone held their ground? Yes, I understand that winning is often seen as advancing — taking something from your opponent. But there’s a very real sense when winning is all about not giving way … not letting your opponent take something from you. At that point, when your adversary is …

In Others’ Words: The Certainty of Happiness

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, perspective, Quotes 12 Comments

What determines your happiness: your circumstances or your attitude? I would have to say there were times … are times … I allow my circumstances to determine whether I’m happy or not. Things go right — the way I want them to go — and I’m happy. All good. Things go wrong? I’m fighting against the drag of my emotions. …

In Others’ Words: Preparing for Tomorrow

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, perspective, Quotes 7 Comments

  Even as I prep this post, I’m mulling over the quote: “The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” I agree with H. Jackson Brown Jr.  . . . and then, part of me trips over the words “doing your best.” “Doing your best” doesn’t mean today went exactly as you planned. “Doing your best” doesn’t mean …

In Others’ Words: Taking a Closer Look at Failure

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, perseverance, Quotes 12 Comments

  I wish I’d had a better understanding of failure when I was younger. I wished I’d known things like: Failure happens — to everybody. Everybody. Not. Just. Me. Failure may feel awful … like the end of the world … but most of the times, you wake up the next day and get a second chance at things.  Failure …