“Everyone is gifted — but some people never open their package.” ~Unknown In my family, I’m known for one particular gift-giving tradition: Each Christmas I misplace at least one gift. When I realize that, yet again, a gift has gone a-missing, I promise to give it to the ever-patient recipient when I finally come across it–usually months later. I’m still …
In Others’ Words: Books
“TV. If kids are entertained by two letters, imagine the fun they’ll have with twenty-six. Open your child’s imagination. Open a book.” ~Author uknown I have always loved to read books. Always. One of my favorite childhood memories? Entering the library carrying nothing but my library card — and leaving a short while later carrying a leaning tower of books. …
In Others’ Words: Hope
“I always entertain great hopes.” ~Robert Frost, poet Are you entertaining hope? Indulge me for a minute while I play with that word “entertain.” Have you invited “great hopes” (plural) into your life? Anticipated the arrival of great hopes? Thrown the door wide open and embraced great hopes telling them, “I’m so glad you’re here! I’ve been waiting for you!” …
In Others’ Words: Decisions, Decisions
“I make a decision, and if it’s wrong, I make another one.” ~ Dave Ramsey, American financial author, radio host, motivational speaker Every time I read that quote by Dave Ramsey, I have to take a deep breath. I mentally step back and think, “Dave, you are one gutsy guy.” The guy makes a wrong decision and just … …
In Others’ Words: Alive
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ~Howard Thurman, theologian My friend, Lindsay Harrel, shared this quote with me. Now when I say Lindsay is my friend, I must confess we haven’t met. Yet. We’ve connected via …
In Others’ Words: Life
“The way to know life is to love many things.” ~Vincent van Gogh, Dutch impressionist painter Loving many things = knowing life. Hhhhm. There’s a Greek word for “know”: epiginosko, which means to become thoroughly acquainted with, to know well, to percieve, by sight, by hearing … to understand. Expanding that initial equation a bit (which is a reduction of van …
In Others’ Words: Forward Motion
“I am not discouraged because every wrong attempt discarded is a step forward.” ~ Thomas Edison, American inventor Things didn’t go as planned yesterday. (Well, actually today. But when you read this post, it will be yesterday. Sorry. Digressing.) I put a lot of time and effort — and also utilized someone else’s time and effort — into something. And …
In Others’ Words: Worry … or Not
“Worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere.” ~Erma Bombeck, American writer & humorist So … I worried some this past weekend. To be honest, I went several rounds with worry. And while I wouldn’t say worry won, there were times that worry backed me into a corner. I kept reminding …
In Others’ Words: Challenges
“When people keep telling you that you can’t do a thing, you kind of like to try it.” ~Margaret Chase Smith, former Republican senator for Maine I admire people who take the word “can’t” and turn it into a great big “Oh yes, I can!” Like Helen Keller. Or Erik Weihenmayer. You probably recognize Helen Keller’s name and know she’s …
In Others’ Words: Goal or Obstacle
“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal.” ~Henry Ford, American industrialist I could make my point today talking about football. But I won’t. Even though I found a great photo of the goal line, I won’t talk about my favorite team (the Denver Broncos). I won’t talk about Tim Tebow … or …