Sometimes a person’s legacy is left behind in the lives of those they influenced. And sometimes a person’s legacy is heard in the echoes of words they said. Maybe that’s why I am such a quote aficionado. Today is set aside to remember Martin Luther King, Jr, a man most famously known for the words, “I have a dream … “ …
In Others’ Words: No Waiting Necessary
I read The Diary of Anne Frank in middle school. I thought Anne was so brave, even as I wrestled with comprehending that she was only one of the children killed during the Jewish Holocaust. What kind of madness destroys the lives of over one million innocent children? Anne Frank penned those words about not waiting to improve the world as …
In Others’ Words: Beyond Happiness
There were years I waited and watched for happiness. Hoped for happiness. And then … well, I wanted more. Happiness doesn’t stick around very long. It’s a minute by minute occurrence. Circumstantial. And I can’t control my circumstances. But oh, I’ve discovered I’ve changed through years of great happiness and great unhappiness — both fleeting. And I’ve discovered I can …
In Others’ Words: Choice
Was anyone else surprised that Groucho Marx said something this insightful? No disrespect meant towards Groucho — but I think of him as the wisecracking guy with the ginormous eyebrows and the cigar. I admire Groucho’s focus on each new day as it came — his realization that he couldn’t change yesterday or control tomorrow. And I like that he …
In Others’ Words: Truthful
Discouragement has stalked my heels of late. And even as I write those words, I want to back up, hit the “delete” key until that sentence disappears. Start again. But I am determined to be honest . . . not to garner sympathy, although you all — yes, you, if you are reading this blog — are amazing encouragers. I …
In Others’ Words: Key
The power of a key. A lost key means things that are locked are left unopened. Puzzles are left unanswered. Things that should start — like a car or a music box — don’t. Keys mean the difference between success and failure. Maybe even power and impotence. Now reread today’s quote: Monday is the key to the week. Is that …
In Others’ Words: Influence
Ah, compliments! Someone takes the time to say something encouraging. Something positive about you. They start a sentence with the words, “I like you because _____________” and then they fill in the blank with a reason. And you hug those words to yourself. In the process of organizing my office recently, I gathered together various notes I’d received — from …
In Others’ Words: Discover
Getting past fear? It’s an amazing feeling. Pushing past the “I can’t, I can’t, I can’t” — stuffing a sock in all that mental mouthing-off — helps me see myself in a whole new, glorious way. Yes, glorious. Suddenly I’m not living under the crushing threat of impossible. Instead, I’m inhaling and exhaling all of the possibles. So what was …
In Others’ Words: In Between
So, how’d the week go for you? Did you accomplish all your goals? Some of them? Did one or two elude you? But what about the “in between”? How did you do with living and enjoying life this week? I admit it: I sometimes get so caught up in the goals — the I wants and the I shoulds and …
In Others’ Words: Miracle
Miracles. They cause us to stop and wonder: What just happened? Water into wine? (John 2:1-11) Blindness into sight? (Mark 8:22-25) Death into life? (John 11) More than what … miracles cause us to stop and wonder: How did that happen? And we stumble into awestruck silence when we realize there is no answer, no explanation … but God. My …