In Others’ Words: Possible Impossibilities

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Quotes 9 Comments

It’s Monday. I think I shall start the week believing the impossible. There’s so much more breathing space … so much more room for dreaming and doing … when I stress the possible in the word impossible. Rather than thinking of all I won’t get done today or tomorrow or the day after … rather than thinking won’t and shouldn’t …

In Others’ Word: This-a-Way or That-a-Way

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Life, quote about choices 14 Comments

I so enjoy the eloquence of Yogi Berra. Granted, it’s a bit garbled, but the man speaks truth. When you come to a fork in the road, take it. Make a decision. Make a choice. Keep moving.  And yes, sometimes the decision we have to make is all about choosing between a right or wrong possibility. But sometimes it is about making …

In Others’ Words: Change of Direction

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, quote about choices 5 Comments

Got any plans for the upcoming week? Got any plans for changing those plans? I like to start my week of with my “Here’s what’s going to happen” list. A rundown of my appointments, my commitments, my deadlines, and my “got-to-get-them-dones.” And then things change. I’m learning that adjusting my plans isn’t a bad thing — and sometimes doing so is the …

In Others’ Words: God, You, and a Yoke (Guest Post)

Beth VogtFaith, In Others' Words 10 Comments

Really? Jesus’ yoke is easy and his burden is light? Saving all of creation by dying for us is easy? When I look at who Jesus was trusting in to do the work – God the Father – and that Jesus knew his Father was trustworthy, ultimately powerful and infinitely gracious … then I see why Jesus thought his burden …

In Others’ Words: Losing and Winning

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Life 5 Comments

  When it comes to competition, I am not one of those “everyone’s a winner” kinds of people. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. That’s what competition is all about — winning and losing. It’s always more fun, more satisfying, when you win. But that’s not real life. Growing up, I tended to shy away from sports. Why? I was …

In Others’ Words: Share a Quote

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Quotes 19 Comments

I’m not blogging about honesty today — I’m just being honest with you all. The truth is, I’m exhausted. The kind of tired that deposits grit in your eyes and weighs down your steps and makes you stumble over your words, to the amusement of friends and family. Earlier today I was searching for a particular word and the only …

In Others’ Words: The Value of Nothing

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Life, Quotes 13 Comments

It’s been a year of deadlines for me … going from one deadline to the next to the next … and repeat, repeat, repeat. Add in the non-writing parts of life and there’s not been a lot of “doing nothing” in 2014. I often find those quiet moments of “nothing” in the middle of the night when I’m awake and everyone …

In Others’ Words: Riches or Poverty

Beth VogtUncategorized 7 Comments

I can calculate my wealth by pennies, nickles, dimes, quarters, pesos, liras, euros, shekels . . . you get the idea. And sometimes I’ve done just that: looked at the balance in my checking account or my savings account — perhaps both — and decided whether I had enough to be grateful for. I can assure you, there were many …

In Others’ Words: Be the Ringmaster

Beth VogtUncategorized 9 Comments

I’ve had a circus theme this week: circus monkeys on Monday, parade elephants on Wednesday. Wrapping up the week, I realized there’s no circus without a ringmaster.  And today’s quote speaks a simple truth straight up: Be the ringmaster. It’s your life. I googled “What does a ringmaster do?” and got some lengthy explanations, but here’s what I zeroed in …

In Others’ Words: Take Flight

Beth VogtUncategorized 11 Comments

There’s something to be said about trying. And there’s something to be said about those times when whatever it is we’re trying to accomplish just happens. Ponder this with me for a moment: that little baby bird standing at the edge of it’s oh-so-safe nest. And the next thing he (or she) knows, Momma bird shoves him over the edge because …