“I cannot pretend to feel impartial about colors. I rejoice with the brilliant ones and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns.” ~Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman Green is my all-time favorite color. Not any-old green — a vivid, forest green. My living room and dining room are both painted a lush green … and I have no plans to …
In Others’ Words: Pleasure
“It isn’t the great big pleasures that count the most; it’s making a great deal out of the little ones.” ~ Jean Webster, pseudonym for Alice Jane Chandler Webster, American author My 11-year-old daughter often reminds me to enjoy simpler things like: snow angels snuggles on the couch spending time with family — because her favorite thing in the world …
In Others’ Words: Success
“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” ~Maya Angelou, poet & novelist I’m certain we could debate the “proper” definition of success. But let’s not. I like Maya Angelou’s definition. I remember the specific day when I realized that, yes, I liked myself. It was a hard-fought battle, I assure you, coming to …
In Others’ Words: Criticism
“Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.” ~ Frank A. Clark, “The Country Parson,” journalist, editor & writer It’s the beginning of a new week. Odds are, I”l run into some criticism as I journey from here to the weekend. As a novelist, there’s always a good chance I’ll get …
In Others’ Words: Books
‘A book worth reading is a book worth buying.’ John Ruskin, English art critic (1819-1900) The Wedding Dress, by award-winning author Rachel Hauck, comes out in April. I pre-ordered it months ago. I’ve been waiting to read this novel since Rachel first shared the story behind that beautiful book cover as we walked along the streets of Indianapolis during …
In Others’ Words: Change
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” ~James Baldwin, African-American writer Let’s take a can change/can’t change look at this quote. Can Change: It’s Wednesday. How’s your week going? Look at that To Do list you scribbled on Monday — or formatted on an Excel spreadsheet, for you uber-organized …
In Others’ Words: Criticism
“Don’t mind criticism. If it is untrue, disregard it; if unfair, keep from irritation; if it is ignorant, smile; if it is justified it is not criticism, learn from it.” ~Unknown Criticism. In the past, I paid entirely too much attention to critics. Sure, there were some people ready to let me know where I’d been less-than, not enough, or …
In Others’ Words: Stop
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop to look around once in a while you could miss it.” ~Matthew Broderick as Ferris Bueller in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off So, how did your week go? Hard to believe it’s Friday, right? Confession: I’m working on this post on Sunday night. 🙂 Even so, I’m fastening my seat belt because I …
In Others’ Words: Friendship
“Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.” Helen Keller, first deaf-blind woman to earn a bachelor’s degree, who went on to become an internationally-known speaker & author I am blessed with wonderful friends. If I took the time to share their names and stories … well, my blog post from here to …
In Others’ Words: Regrets
“You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one.” ~Unknown When you think about it, that quote makes a lot of sense. Focus on the past? There’s no way you’ll achieve forward motion into the future. Keep looking back over your shoulder? You’ll miss the opportunities waiting for you here and now. You …