In Others’ Words: What to Do After Going Halfway

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Quotes, Relationships, Uncategorized 10 Comments

For a long time, I thought 50-50 relationships were the way to go. I do my part to meet the other person halfway and the other person does their part. Equal investments into a relationship should make it work, right? Not necessarily. And then I believed the 100% “go all in” attitude about relationships. It’s not 50-50. It’s 100% plus …

In Others’ Words: Looking for the Good Stuff

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, perspective, Quotes 7 Comments

What are you looking for today? Me? I’m looking for the good stuff. The good people. The good actions. The good interactions. Kindness. Patience. Smiles. Acts of grace. Laughter.   That kind of good stuff. And then I’m going to praise that goodness. I’m going to say “thank you” out loud. I’m going to smile back. I’m going to hug …

In Others’ Words: Being Thankful for Octobers

Beth Vogtgratitude, In Others' Words, Quotes 12 Comments

I know people who say that autumn is their favorite time of year. That’s not the case for me, but I do enjoy autumn and watching the trees change colors. And I especially enjoy the month of October. It’s right in between September and November — the month when we can catch our breath after running full tilt from summer …

In Others’ Words: Personal Investment

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Life, Quotes 6 Comments

Warren Buffett’s net worth is $75.6 billion — he’s #2 on Forbes’ list of “The 12 Notable New Billionaires of 2017.” Bill Gates is #1, if you’re curious.  And yet, here’s a billionaire recommending investing in yourself rather then investing in stocks or bonds — even saying this investment is the best kind. This past Sunday, my husband and I …

In Others’ Words: Whatcha’ Gonna Be?

Beth VogtIdentity, In Others' Words, Quotes 10 Comments

Be silly. Be honest. Be kind. Which one of those “Be’s” jumped out at you today?  There are so many things we want to be — smart, pretty, successful, well-liked, athletic — that sometimes we get lost along the way to being. We have so many “be’s” to choose from, we lose track of the important ones. Or someone tells …

In Others’ Words: Active Patience

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, perspective, Quotes 6 Comments

hey I spent part of Sunday evening at the Olympic Training Center watching the awards ceremony for the NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship, where the U.S.A. Men’s Volleyball took the gold medal. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the upper part of the gymnasium wall decorated with quotes. QUOTES. While we waited for the ceremony to start, I alternated between taking …

In Others’ Words: The Power of Kind Words

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Quotes, Relationships 6 Comments

  These days, my thoughts turn more and more to the need for kindness. Kind actions. Kind words.  It is all too easy these days to judge another person harshly — to judge an entire group of people harshly. (And no, this is not a political post. Not going there.) I blogged a month ago about how I don’t want …

In Others’ Words: The Serious Business of Joy

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, perspective, Quotes 13 Comments

I often expect to find joy here. Now.  And then I’m reminded that joy is other-worldly. Oh, sure, we can catch glimpses of joy in our lives here on earth. As we love and are loved by others. And I always, always hear echoes of joy in the laughter of children. But the love and grace and forgiveness of God …

In Others’ Words: Go Ahead, Astound Yourself!

Beth Vogtconfidence, In Others' Words, Quotes 4 Comments

Right before school started for my daughter CJ, we spent the weekend in Breckenridge. It just so happened our time there coincided with the inaugural Colorado Classic bike race. My husband, daughter, and I stood with hundreds of other spectators lining the streets and watched cyclists speed downhill through the town. I was astounded by the display of professional cycling. …

In Others’ Words: The Everything of Family

Beth Vogtfamily, In Others' Words, Quotes 4 Comments

There’s nothing quite like family rallying together in a crisis. Yesterday, my family rallied round my almost 99-year-old mother-in-law after she fell in her bathroom and ended up being taken to the emergency room via ambulance — she said the trip wasn’t bad — and then spent the day getting x-rayed and scanned. But they also rallied around one another …