In Others’ Words: A Different Perspective on Suffering

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, lifequotes, perspective 11 Comments

Dr. Kelly Flanagan writes the blog UnTangled. Today’s quote was in his post titled “This Could Be the Difference Between a Life of Suffering or Joy.” I’ve seen various definitions of suffering, but his statement — Suffering is the resistance to what is — stopped me short. Suffering? Resistance to what is? And then I continued reading: Suffering is opposition to the present moment …

In Others’ Words: The “More” of the Serenity Prayer

Beth VogtFaith, In Others' Words, lifequotes 9 Comments

You have Facebook to thank for today’s blog post. Specifically, you have my friend Kim Henson to thank. She posted the complete version of the Serenity Prayer on her Facebook page last week, saying she hadn’t known there was more to the prayer except what we so often hear — or say to ourselves. Like Kim, I’d never heard the second segment of …

In Others’ Words: When You Lighten the Burdens of Others

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, quote about life, Relationships 8 Comments

There are times I get to the end of the day and I think, “What did I accomplish today?” Actually, I usually think, “I didn’t get anything accomplished today.” Somewhere along the way I lost my To Do list. Or circumstances ran over my plans for the day. I want to find a red pen and mark the day with …

In Others’ Words: The Demands of Insecurity

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, lifequotes, quote about identity 8 Comments

I’ve certainly sat on the ledge and attempted to reason with insecurity … and lost. I’ve tried to calm my self-doubts with both truths and the Truth and found myself staring down, down, down, realizing that insecurity is stone-deaf to that kind of wisdom and good sense.  I also agree with my writing friend Jill Buteyn that insecurity is an all-too-willing assassin, one …

In Others’ Words: Finding the Right Place and Standing Firm

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, lifequotes, quote about choices 16 Comments

  I remember the first time someone called me “narrow-minded.”  Now, when I say “the first time,” please don’t get the idea that this happens often. It doesn’t. As a matter of fact, I can’t remember the last time someone called me “narrow-minded,” but I do recall the first time. I was shocked. Me? Narrow-minded? I called my good friend …

In Others’ Words: Patience and the Willingness to Stay

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, lifequotes, quote about choices 8 Comments

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: Once Upon a Childhood

Beth Vogtchildhood, In Others' Words, lifequotes 9 Comments

There are books everywhere in my house.  When e-readers came on the scene, my husband encouraged me to get one. His hope? That the multiple To Be Read (TBR) piles would disappear into virtual oblivion. Um, no. That did not happen. My Kindle is loaded and ready to go on trips with me … and the TBR piles continue to …

In Others’ Words: Choosing Something Other Than Difficulties

Beth Vogtchallenges, In Others' Words, lifequotes 6 Comments

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

Beth Vogtchallenges, In Others' Words, quote about choices 9 Comments

  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 Teamwork Triad

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, lifequotes, success 11 Comments

My youngest daughter’s club volleyball team is heading out for a weekend tournament. Three days of nonstop competition. Three days to see teamwork in action — win or lose –and oh, how we hope for wins! But I’ve learned watching CJ’s team that a day is successful if the team plays well no matter what the score is at the …