I tossed several topics around for this blog post. Things like the Super Bowl halftime show or the president’s State of the Union address or how about the craziness of the Iowa caucus? Nah. I’m not about wading into controversy and ruffling feathers today. Instead, I came across these words by poet Maya Angelou: “Every day I awaken grateful. …
Choosing to Realize Being “Good and Mad” is All Wrong
@bethvogt I almost got into an argument with a good friend yesterday – one of my best friends, as a matter of fact. But I hit a huge roadblock on my way to getting “good and mad.” I was lining up all my reasons for being angry and staying that way, and then I got up to walk around my …
Choosing Not to Brood About Turning 60
Let’s Choose to Live Well @bethvogt I turned 60 a few days ago. After blogging about this birthday back in January, I haven’t been brooding about it since then. It turns out being on deadline doesn’t leave you much time to brood. And then my youngest daughter had prom the day before my birthday – she’s a senior in …
What Do We Do When Our Stories Collide?
Choosing to be Kind and Gracious by @bethvogt Two stories collided the other day – and erupted in kindness and grace. The collision played out on national TV during a morning news show, and so I wonder if most people viewed it as merely news, overlooking the exchange of kindheartedness and graciousness. Allow me to recount the story for you: …
Uprooting Racism from Our Family Tree
Choosing to Love Someone for Who They Are by @bethvogt Last October, my son Josh remarried. His wife is a beautiful young woman named Meagan. I remember months earlier when my husband and I talked with Josh about his relationship with Meagan – about how we knew he was falling in love with her and yes, her three children. We …
In Others’ Words: Sunshine in the House
I keep trying to record my GRANDgirls’ laughter. Their giggles are infectious in the best kind of way, causing me to smile and laugh with them. I’d like to turn their lilting, expressive laughs into a ringtone for my phone. Can you imagine how that sweet sound would catch other people unaware? It would be fun to watch strangers’ faces …
In Others’ Words: Surrounded by Story
More and more, I have come to love story. My life story — and other people’s life stories, too. To be honest, there are times I see someone and, at first, I’m closed to their story. Maybe they seem a little too different from me … and I’m put off. But I’ve learned to say to myself, “This person is …
In Others’ Words: No guarantees
Sometimes in life, we want guarantees. If we invest in a friendship, we hope that friendship lasts. If we say to someone else, “Yes, I believe in you,” then we hope the other person will have our back, too — and stand by us, through thick and through thin. If we trust someone — with our hearts, with our dreams, …
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: The Better Friend
A few weeks ago I heard that September is National Friendship month. I liked the sound of that: a whole month celebrating, among other things, friendship. It’s also National Honey Month. And National Courtesy Month. And National Sewing Month. And National Blueberry Popsicle Month. On a more serious note, September is also National Suicide Prevention Month. And that leads me …