This quote has languished in one of my quote files — yes, I have more than one — for months. I read it over and over. I liked it every time I read it. Truth is, I like a lot of Mark Twain quotes. He’s one of my go-to quote guys. But when I read it yesterday, it “pinged” and …
In Others’ Words: Taking Two with Erma Bombeck
Today would have been Erma Bombeck’s 90th birthday. I’ve always enjoyed her humorous — and truthful — view of life. So, I’m celebrating this wonderful writer today by posting not one, but two of her quotes. I’m keeping today’s post brief, after spending the past four days in Phoenix, cheering my youngest daughter’s volleyball team on while they competed at …
In Others’ Words: Just Do It
Maybe The thing you think you cannot do. If I were to ask you what is the thing you think you cannot do, your “thing” might be summed up in the words, “I can’t get through the next hour.” Or maybe you’d say, “I can’t survive this job.” Or “I can’t deal with this person anymore.” Maybe you’re tired of …
In Others’ Words: Love Without Words
Happy Valentine’s Day! I know people who love Valentine’s Day, and I know people who don’t like this holiday at all. No matter where you stand on the debate — love it, hate it — I hope that you experience a moment of feeling loved today. Either a moment where someone expresses their love for you out loud with three …
In Others’ Words: Three Kinds of Trouble
There are good quotes and there are meaningful quotes … and then there are quotes that hit you right in the solar plexus, forcing you to pay attention. Today’s quote by H.G. Wells hit me hard: “Some people bear three kinds of trouble — the ones they’ve had, the ones they have, and the ones they expect to have.” Wells …
In Others’ Words: The Benefit of Disappointments
Disappointments are unavoidable in life. The question is, what will we get out of our disappointments? How, as Thoreau puts it, shall we be compensated by the discouragements that come our way? Sometimes we don’t stick around after a setback long enough to receive any compensation. We hurry past the disappointment, eager to find a better moment, a happier experience. …
In Others’ Words: The Best of Friends
There are so many benefits to good friendships — and by “good” I mean strong, safe, stood-the-test-of-time friendships. Mutual understanding Shared laughter “What? You, too?” moments Inexhaustible forgiveness Unfettered acceptance I’m certain you could add to my list of benefits. But when you find a friend who encourages your dreams, treasure that friend. Our dreams are fragile things — easily crushed by …
In Others’ Words: Courageous Boundaries
Your perspective of a boundary is determined by which side you’re on: the inside or the outside. And it goes without saying — but I’m saying it anyway — that your view of a boundary is also determined by whether you built the boundary (inside) or someone else did (outside). Oftentimes we think boundaries are constructed out of fear. We build …
In Others’ Words: Failure is Never a Certainty
The older I get, the more I value perseverance. I wasn’t much of an athlete growing up. The first sport I got involved in? Tang Soo Do, a form of martial arts, when I was 18 years old. Yes, I was intrigued by the discipline, but I also thought the instructor was cute. *Blush* While I took exams to advance …
In Others’ Words: Looking Past the Plan
So, I’d like y’all to do something for me today, please. Raise your hand if your life has gone according to plan. Um … okay, we all know I can’t see your raised hands, but I’m also willing to bet that not a single one of you raised your hands. Am I right? Of course I am. Life rarely lines up with our …