Sometimes the situations we are in don’t change. We look and we look, and there’s no door marked EXIT. Okay, yes, I’ll make this blog post personal. I’m dealing with several ongoing situations that, by definition — ongoing, right? — haven’t changed. Circumstances haven’t budged for months. Chronic health issues? Still here. Strained relationships? Still here. Some things I can’t fix. …
In Others’ Words: Choosing Something Other Than Difficulties
Didn’t I just post about difficulties last week? Yes, yes, I did. The return to the theme of difficulties was unpremeditated today. I was flipping through a new book of quotes — a combo coloring book and quote book, no less — and discovered this one by Stephen Hawking. I like the quote for it’s brevity. I like it for the hope …
In Others’ Words: Choosing the Goal or the Obstacle
I apologize for missing Tuesday’s post. I was traveling back from Washington, DC. after spending several days there while my daughter’s volleyball club competed in a tournament. On the way back, I finished reading From a Distance, a historical romance by best-selling author Tamera Alexander, and the source of today’s quote. It’s always fun to read a good book …
In Others’ Words: The Pace of Nature
Pace yourself. Have you ever said those two words to yourself? Pace yourself. I have — and it’s usually a crazy mix of trying to slow myself down while also trying to make a lot of forward progress. So yes, I’m attempting to be patient with myself. I’m trying to take my time. But at the same time, I’m hearing …
In Others’ Words: The Danger of Precautions
I wish I hadn’t always been so cautious in years past. I was a bit of a “tell me the rules and I’ll follow them” kind of person. Let me put it this way: I was a safety patrol girl in school — the one wearing the neon orange belt and helping other kids cross the street. Do they even have …
In Others’ Words: Yogi Berra and making “wrong mistakes”
In Yogi Berra’s world, there were mistakes … and there were “wrong mistakes.” The Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, who died on Tuesday, September 22, was known for his Yogi-sms. I scrolled through a list of 30 of his most memorable quotes, and settled on “We made too many wrong mistakes.” There’s something to what he said. There are mistakes …
In Others’ Words: One Step Forward …
I believe that being courageous happens at the same time you are fear-filled. You don’t wait for the fear to vanish, gather courage in your fists, and advance. No, true bravery manifests when someone whispers, “I’m scared” and then doesn’t back down from whatever enemy stands before them. I also know that winning the day doesn’t always mean total victory. …
In Others’ Words: Choosing Between Love and Understanding
Loved or understood? Do we have to choose between the two? I don’t think so. When we take the time to understand someone else, isn’t that a form of loving that person? Understanding someone demands concentrated effort. Sometimes we must set aside prejudices and preconceived ideas about a person. Understanding happens when we listen. When we consider someone else more …
In Others’ Words: Declaring the Truth on Purpose
This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. It has become habit to start my day off saying this verse out loud. Not just to myself — no. Just before my daughter heads out the door to school, my husband and I hug her and all three of us declare, “This …
In Others’ Words: Trading If Only for Next Time
It’s amazing the difference two words can make. If only … two words that hold you back, trip you up with regret, refuse to let you begin again because you’re still caught up in something that’s over and done with. Next time … two words that say “go ahead, try again!” and promise there’s more to life than your mistakes …