“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” ~Dr. Suess, American writer I call my friend Doug “Wise Guy.” He offers me counsel that often cuts through my “why can’t I figure this out” questions with profoundly simple answers. I clutter the truth with too many “what ifs.” He sifts through my many questions–sometimes I think he ignores …
In Others’ Words: Improvement or Enjoyment?
“I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.” ~E. B. White, American writer And there you have it: Life choice distilled down into one 20-word sentence. Is your life other-focused or you-focused? Or is it a constant arrival at the …
In Others’ Words: Time
“The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of 60 minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.” ~C.S. Lewis, author Stop for just a moment and think about the last 60 minutes. An hour ago, those minutes were your future. Now? They are your past. What did you accomplish in that span of time? And before …
In Others’ Words: Compliments
“I can live for two months on a good compliment.” ~Mark Twain, American author & humorist Ah, compliments! For someone to take the time to say something encouraging. Something positive about you. To 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 …
In Others’ Words: Fun
“Fun is about as good a habit as there is.” ~Jimmy Buffet, singer & songwriter I know someone who once made this New Year’s resolution: He was going to have more fun. Loved it! I loved it so much I made the same resolution the next year. One of the fun things I did that year: When my kiddos decided …
In Others’ Words: Friendship
“True friendship is a plant of slow growth.” ~ George Washington, first U.S. president The “who” of this quote surprised me. George Washington talking about friendship? Really–a guy pondering relationships? I expected this quote to be a pearl of wisdom from some other woman who, like me, knows how we women need our girlfriends. Because we do. One thing …
In Others’ Words: Home
Photo by John Skiba Photography “My home is not a place, it is people.” ~ Lois McMaster Bujold, American author I had a definitive definition of home for many years–and it was most definitely a place. Then I married my husband, who was in the Air Force. My idea of home had to change. Uncle Sam determined where home was …
In Others’ Words: Words
“I like good strong words that mean something.” ~Louisa May Alcott, author Well said, Louisa. That’s a goal worth striving for: As a writer, I want to produce good strong words that mean something. As a woman, I want to speak good strong words that mean something. Little Women, written by Louisa May Alcott, was the first book I remember …
In Others’ Words: Discovery
“One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his greatest surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn’t do.” ~Henry Ford, American industrialist Fear ruled my life for too many years. Yes, there were reasons for the fear, but still … I look back and think what I lost. Freedom. Emotional and spiritual …
In Others’ Words: Music
“Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons. You will find it is to the soul what a water bath is to the body.” ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court I savor listening to music just about any time of the day. If you could hear what I’m singing along …