“Gratitude is an antidote to negative emotions, a neutralizer of envy, hostility, worry, and irritation. It is savoring; it is not taking things for granted; it is present-oriented.” I hope today’s quote encourages you and that you’re able to lean into gratitude. I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving. The holiday season doesn’t mean we can push pause on …
Choosing Not To Let Stress Run Our Lives
@bethvogt I’ve been in an ongoing tug-of-war with stress … and right now stress is winning. I stared at that sentence and considered deleting it, one letter at a time. Choosing another topic for today’s blog. But I’ll go with the reality that, despite my best efforts to “Go placidly amid the noise and haste” … well, I’m not. I’m …
Making Room for Each Other This Holiday Season
@bethvogt The holiday season is fast-approaching. Thanksgiving? A mere 22 days away. Christmas? Only 48 days. New Year’s Eve? Counting down 54 days. We all have our do’s and don’ts when it comes to celebrating the holidays – or not celebrating the holidays because, let’s be honest, some people aren’t thankful for all the fa-la-la-la-la. I’ve never hated the …
The Problem of Letting “What If?” Lead Us into Our Future
@bethvogt Most mornings I wake up and wander into the bathroom down the hall, step on to the small electronic scale, and start the morning off with a quick check of my weight. Some mornings it’s an “all good” kind of day. And some mornings it’s an “uh-oh” kind of day. My reaction is directly related to my actions …
Do You Operate in Crisis Mode?
Learning to Balance Our Emotions by @bethvogt “This is a deadline, not a crisis.” I woke up in the middle of the night with that phrase running through my head. I’d gone to bed a couple of hours earlier frustrated yet again. Staring down a looming writing deadline and an insufficient word count. I’d been chasing that deadline for …
Identifying Unclaimed Emotional Baggage
Being Brave Enough to Deal with Our Stuff by @bethvogt Last weekend one of my closest friends texted me this question: When does all the baggage stop bubbling to the surface? Her question is a bit of a mixed metaphor, yes, but still it brought to mind a vivid image: a murky lake filled with suitcases bobbing to the the …
In Others’ Words: Choose Your Weapon
Our thoughts are powerful forces for good or evil. And no, I’m not overstating this truth. Think about a time when you were juggling some important tasks or facing a major deadline, but still having a good day. And then, for some unknown reason, you found yourself discouraged. Frustrated. Overwhelmed by all you had to do. You’re not sure how …
In Others’ Words: Words of Regret
A few weeks ago, I blew it with a family member. I got upset about something and then I let my anger fuel my words. And yes, I regret what I said to that person. But even more, I regret how I spoke to that person. All this year, I’ve said over and over again that I don’t want to …
In Others’ Words: Life Happens
There are certain things I wish I’d learned sooner in life. This is one of them: “What happens is not as important as how you react to what happens.” Circumstances, both bad and good, come and go. But how I respond in a given situation? That can have a lasting effect on me and on others that lingers for years …
In Others’ Words: A Peace of My Mind
I don’t want to do anger anymore. I understand that there are going to be times when I get irritated about something or maybe even lose my temper. Life happens, right? But I don’t want to stay angry. I don’t want to be an angry person. I also don’t want to hang around angry people because, well, I can too …
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