So, I asked my husband Rob to suggest a topic for today’s quote and he said, “Integrity.” To be honest, at first he said, “Weather,” but I asked for a second suggestion and then he said, “Integrity,” and I went with that. And then I read this quote by W. Clement Stone and I wondered: Are there more than 3 …
In Others’ Words: Finding Rest
I’ve been wrestling with a decision … and wrestling … and wrestling … and wrestling … and I just can’t pin the whole “what should I do?” dilemma down and make it say “Uncle!” You know what I mean? I’ll think I’ve got the situation under control — the issue settled — and then something changes and there are new questions to …
In Others’ Words: It’s a Mess
One of the great truths that I’ve embraced is that life is messy. Really, really messy. And I’m okay with that. When I say I’m okay with life being messy, I don’t mean I like the messiness of life. Not at all. What I mean is I’ve stopped pretending life isn’t messy … that life doesn’t hurt … that things …
In Others Words: The Art of Learning
Most everyone would agree that Michelangelo was a creative genius, the artisan who sculpted the Pietà and David before he was 30, and who also painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. But I never realized Michelangelo considered himself a learner. When you consider someone as talented … no, as gifted as Michelangelo, you assume the man knows what he’s doing, right? He must have …
In Others’ Words: Pay Attention!
Pay Attention! We hear those words a lot, don’t we? Maybe someone says them to us … or maybe we’re the ones trying to get someone else to listen up, to focus … to pay attention to what we’re saying or what we’re doing. We give our attention to what — and to who — is important. And so I think José Ortega …
In Others’ Words: Are You Interested?
You know how you get to the end of a day and you don’t remember what you did? Or is that only me that happens to? Sometimes I’m busy, busy, busy … and yes, I’m doing things. But sometimes what I’m really doing is not paying attention. I’m juggling several things at one time, which in a way is saying …
In Your Words: Fear is a Liar
Look at the picture above. That’s me. My name is Christa, and I’m Beth K. Vogt’s daughter! I hope you guys don’t mind me writing this post today. As a 15-year-old girl going through high school, fear is not an uncommon thing. Fear of messing up on a test. Fear of not having that cute boy like me back. …
In Others’ Words: Of Puddles and Progress
It’s raining here in Colorado. I’m not one of those people who love rainy days. A couple of my kiddos do, but not me. Rain interferes with things I want to do, like walking in the morning with my friend Mary. And it steals away those sunny days Colorado is known for. I’m all for the sunshine. But there’s no getting …
In Others’ Words: A Different Perspective on Suffering
Dr. Kelly Flanagan writes the blog UnTangled. Today’s quote was in his post titled “This Could Be the Difference Between a Life of Suffering or Joy.” I’ve seen various definitions of suffering, but his statement — Suffering is the resistance to what is — stopped me short. Suffering? Resistance to what is? And then I continued reading: Suffering is opposition to the present moment …
In Others’ Words: Finding the Right Place and Standing Firm
I remember the first time someone called me “narrow-minded.” Now, when I say “the first time,” please don’t get the idea that this happens often. It doesn’t. As a matter of fact, I can’t remember the last time someone called me “narrow-minded,” but I do recall the first time. I was shocked. Me? Narrow-minded? I called my good friend …