@bethvogt I was sitting in the waiting room at the doctor’s office yesterday. My youngest daughter had an appointment – not me. Once we get all of her “Oh, wait! We need to do this before you go to college” appointments checked off the list, I’ll worry about my stuff. Anyway, back to sitting in the waiting room. There …
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: …
Understanding Estrangement
A Few Truths I’ve Learned Living with Brokenness …
In Others’ Words: The Importance of Protecting Our Dreams
Confronting Our Doubts @BethVogt We all chase after dreams. During our childhood, the simplest of questions may spark a dream: What do you want to be when you grow up? Pause for a moment and let’s remember that oh-so-much-younger us. The one who didn’t hesitate to believe we could become a ballerina. Or an astronaut. Or a dolphin trainer. …
In Others’ Words: Thoughts on How to Keep Growing
Doing Better Than Your Best @bethvogt “I did the best I could.” I’ve never been a fan of those six words. Here’s how the conversation usually goes: I’m sitting across from someone who is recounting a struggle they faced where there was no resolution. No improvement. And then they sum up their efforts by saying, “I did the best I …
In Others’ Words: Choosing Which Moments Define Us
Of Milestones and Moments @bethvogt At some point in our lives, we’ve all been cautioned not to make a mountain out of a molehill. Some well-meaning person thinks we’re overreacting to a situation – or maybe thinks we’re overreacting to them – and wants us to calm down. Maybe they’re right . Maybe we need to step back and take …
In Others’ Words: Coming to Grips with Age
Jamie Lee Curtis, Barbie, and Me @bethvogt Did you know Jamie Lee Curtis, one of my favorite actresses, turned 60 last November 22? And Barbie – yes, that Barbie, whose real name is Barbara Millicent Roberts – turns 60 in a few short months on March 9. And then there’s me. On May 5, I’ll be 60 years old. …
In Others’ Words: The Basic Ingredients of Christmas
Here we are in the first week of December, with Christmas 3 weeks away. My youngest daughter turns 18 on Christmas Eve. 18 years old! And 2019 is 4 weeks away. I have to agree that time and love are the basic ingredients of a merry Christmas — the best parts of Christmas. And with that in mind, I’m signing …
In Others’ Words: My One Word for 2019
Let’s talk about choosing One Word for the coming year. 2019 is just over a month away, but if you’ve been reading this blog for awhile, then you know that I gave up New Year’s resolutions thirteen years ago. All my good intentions — the “I wills” and the “I won’ts” — faded so quickly, and I always misplaced …
Choosing to be Thankful Now
So many people are posting so many things about Thanksgiving today. So many things have already been said about Thanksgiving. About being grateful. And today is a day to be present … yes, present in our less-than-perfect circumstances and choose to be thankful for something. For someone. Gratitude, if nothing else, is a choice. You are in my prayers today …