“Laugh at yourself, but don’t ever aim your doubt at yourself. Be bold. When you embark for strange places, don’t leave any of yourself safely on shore. Have the nerve to go into unexplored territory.” -Alan Alda, actor I like bold people. Those friends who run ahead of me, then stop, look back and ask, “What are you waiting for? …
In Others’ Words: Ninety-three
“May you live all the days of your life.” ~Jonathan Swift, Anglo-Irish satirist My mother-in-law celebrates her 93rd birthday today. That’s her in the photo, getting ready to blow out the candles of her cake. And yes, she got ’em all blown out in one try! As she reminisced last night, she recounted how she was born several days before …
In Others’ Words: Snow
“I used to stare up at the sky trying to see where the snowflakes were born. I could do it for hours. Well, minutes. But it was always the waiting that was the most fun.” ~Author unknown, from a package of Starbucks coffee, 2010 The longer I’ve lived in Colorado, the more I’ve come to love snow. I love …
In Others’ Words: Surpised
“Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn’t know you left open.” ~ John Barrymore, American actor It’s delightful when happiness tiptoes up behind you, taps you on the shoulder, and then — when you turn around — yells “Surprise!” Yesterday that happened when … my daughter’s laughter mingled with her boyfriend’s my 10-year-old crawled into bed wearing …
In Others’ Word: Hero
“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” ~Joseph Campbell, American writer & lecturer My friend’s son was killed in Afghanistan on October 22. As I write this, she is meeting the plane that brought his body back to the States. Her son laid down his life for others for others. For …
In Others’ Words: Home
“A good home must be made, not bought.” ~Joyce Maynard, American author Home. To acquire a home, there’s usually a transaction — a sale — of some sort. But wait a minute. Do you live in a home? Or have you merely purchased a house? Foundation, roof, walls, rooms … all these things make up a house. What transforms …
In Others’ Words: Kindness
“Kind words are the music of the world.” ~F.W. Faber, British hymn writer To think of my words as music … that gives me pause. When I speak, what am I adding to the melody others hear? Are my words kind–adding a gentle beauty to the world? Or do harsh words create a discordant ugliness? Scripture warns words can …
In Others’ Words: Small Things
“Be faithful in the small things, because it is in them that your strength lies.” ~Mother Teresa, founder of Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta Such a simple quote. All of fifteen words. And then, the question: What are the small things? If you’re going to be faithful, if these things are your strength … what are these oh-so-vital small things? …
In Others’ Words: Humility
“Life is a long lesson in humility.” ~James M. Barrie, Scottish author There’s a choice to be made as I grow up–and yes, grow older. Am I going to be all about me, me, me? Am I going to push myself to the front of the line, to the center of the stage–doing whatever it takes to ensure the focus, …
In Others’ Words: Questions
“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” ~Dr. Suess, American writer I call my friend Doug “Wise Guy.” He offers me counsel that often cuts through my “why can’t I figure this out” questions with profoundly simple answers. I clutter the truth with too many “what ifs.” He sifts through my many questions–sometimes I think he ignores …