Take a close look at the graphic for today’s blog. Do you see what I see … the shape etched in that insignificant stone? When I saw it during my early morning walk a few days ago, I stopped and stared and yes, took a photo. There’s a heart shape outlined in that stone. It’s not perfect, but it’s there. …
In Others’ Words: The Illusion of Communication
Have you ever experienced this odd form of communication where someone has a conversation with you — but forgot to include you in the exchange? You know what I mean: It’s the kind of dialogue between you and someone else, but it takes place entirely in the other person’s head. Things are said — some of them supposedly by …
In Others’ Words: Listen Carefully
Do you prefer to talk or to listen? I admit it: I love participating in a good conversation. A conversation between friends or family, sometimes interlaced with laughter or perhaps tears, can be refreshing. Healing. But more and more over the years, I’ve learned to talk less and listen more. I had to be intentional about being quiet and listening. …
In Others’ Words: Someone to Inspire You
To be honest, I tripped over the first few words of this quote by Emerson before I embraced the rest of the truth. While I agree with him that we all want to be inspired to be who we can be, I’m not so certain that’s our “chief want.” I want a lot of things. I need a lot of …
In Others’ Words: Believing Good When Times are Bad
I’ve always been intrigued by this quote by Anne Frank. Astounded, really. A young girl whose life was destroyed by the Nazi Holocaust states that despite everything — despite losing her home, despite having to hide from people who want to kill her and her family, despite the fear of being caught and taken to a concentration camp (which …
In Others’ Words: What to Do After Going Halfway
For a long time, I thought 50-50 relationships were the way to go. I do my part to meet the other person halfway and the other person does their part. Equal investments into a relationship should make it work, right? Not necessarily. And then I believed the 100% “go all in” attitude about relationships. It’s not 50-50. It’s 100% plus …
In Others’ Words: The Power of Kind Words
These days, my thoughts turn more and more to the need for kindness. Kind actions. Kind words. It is all too easy these days to judge another person harshly — to judge an entire group of people harshly. (And no, this is not a political post. Not going there.) I blogged a month ago about how I don’t want …
In Others’ Words: Who are You?
Honest relationships are the best … and honest relationships are hard to come by. I have to choose to completely trust someone before I open up to them and show them who I am — the good, bad, and the broken. And when I do that, I hope the other person respects what I’ve shared by believing me. I don’t want to …
In Others’ Words: Can You See Me Now?
One of my favorite parts to write in every book I publish is the Acknowledgments section. Yes, it’s always at the end of the book, but it’s so important to me that I often start thinking about it before I’m finished with my first draft. The Acknowledgments section is where I’m able to thank everyone who has helped me take …
In Others’ Words: Closing the Distance
Last night I went browsing for a quote for today’s blog post. Searched my quote books. Searched my files. Searched online. Searched my Evernote Quote notebook. I skimmed all sorts of quotes. It wasn’t that I didn’t have a lot of quotes to choose from, it was just none of them were “pinging.” And then I found these words by Victor …