In Others’ Words: The Best Advice

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, perspective, Quotes 2 Comments

  I think the encouragement to keep reading is good advice for anyone, don’t you? I certainly never lack for books to read … and while sometimes I just read for pleasure, there are certain books that have influenced me greatly, changing my thoughts about life and about myself. There are any number of quotes about advice: “No one can give you …

In Others’ Words: New Day, New Choices

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, perspective, quote about life 6 Comments

Sometimes, simple is best. New day. New choices. It’s today. There’s nothing I can do to undo what happened yesterday — except, maybe, offer an apology if an apology is needed. But that doesn’t change the choices I made yesterday. It’s merely the choice I am making today. I can base today’s choices on the ones I made yesterday — and …

In Others’ Words: Can You See Me Now?

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Quotes, Relationships 6 Comments

One of my favorite parts to write in every book I publish is the Acknowledgments section. Yes, it’s always at the end of the book, but it’s so important to me that I often start thinking about it before I’m finished with my first draft. The Acknowledgments section is where I’m able to thank everyone who has helped me take …

In Others’ Words: Closing the Distance

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Quotes, Relationships 7 Comments

Last night I went browsing for a quote for today’s blog post. Searched my quote books. Searched my files. Searched online. Searched my Evernote Quote notebook. I skimmed all sorts of quotes. It wasn’t that I didn’t have a lot of quotes to choose from, it was just none of them were “pinging.” And then I found these words by Victor …

In Others’ Words: How Far are You Going?

Beth Vogtcourage, In Others' Words, Love, quote about life 7 Comments

Fear has motivated me to do things. Fear of losing someone I care about or of losing their approval — has caused me to do and say certain things. Sometimes I’ve even chosen to violate my personal values in the hopes of satisfying someone else’s expectations. That’s an ugly truth, but I strive to be honest with you all on this blog. …

In Others’ Words: Beneficial Opposition

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, perseverance, quote about life 10 Comments

  I’m not the best when it comes to flying kites.  The whole process of running and releasing a kite up into the air behind me? It’s just a bit beyond me. I want to look ahead of me and make certain I don’t run into something, or that I don’t trip and fall. At the same time, I want to look …

In Others’ Words: The Honest Truth

Beth VogtIdentity, In Others' Words, Quotes 10 Comments

Which would you choose: acceptance achieved by pretense or rejection caused by honesty? Living honestly? It’s risky business. Wear a mask and be well-liked. Conform to the expected behaviors and earn a pat on the back . . . a place at the table . . . a “welcome to the family” — whatever equals acceptance for you. Or replace …

In Others’ Words: Delightful Impossibilities

Beth VogtFaith, In Others' Words, Quotes 8 Comments

Sometimes my God is too small. Of course, it’s not Him. It’s me diminishing who He is. I forget that God is so much more than the possibilities I see before me . . . He is the God of all the impossibilities I never imagine. Forgetting who God is comes with looking down … becoming so grounded in here and now …

In Others’ Words: Getting What You Want

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, perspective, Quotes 9 Comments

This quote has languished in one of my quote files — yes, I have more than one — for months. I read it over and over. I liked it every time I read it. Truth is, I like a lot of Mark Twain quotes. He’s one of my go-to quote guys. But when I read it yesterday, it “pinged” and …

In Others’ Words: Taking Two with Erma Bombeck

Beth Vogtdreams, In Others' Words, Quotes 8 Comments

Today would have been Erma Bombeck’s 90th birthday. I’ve always enjoyed her humorous — and truthful — view of life. So, I’m celebrating this wonderful writer today by posting not one, but two of her quotes. I’m keeping today’s post brief, after spending the past four days in Phoenix, cheering my youngest daughter’s volleyball team on while they competed at …