Choosing to Embrace Plan B

Beth Vogtacceptance, Authors, Beth K. Vogt, challenges, choices, creativity, dreams, expectations, failure, goals, hope, Life, perseverance, perspective, Quotes, Reality, success, Writing 18 Comments

@bethvogt Sometimes our well-thought-out plans don’t work. Frustrating, isn’t it? Last year wasn’t a great writing year for me. Too many disruptions meant very little creative writing. I spent some time evaluating what I needed to ensure I had a more productive year in 2021. Solid blocks of time. Dedicated space. No interruptions. Then I made my plan. It wasn’t …

Choosing to Offer Ourselves Grace

Beth VogtBeth K. Vogt, brokenness, challenges, change, choices, expectations, Faith, grace, hope, kindness, Life, perspective, Quotes, stress 12 Comments

@bethvogt     Some days are going to be harder than others. Just typing that simple sentence made me feel a whole lot better. I’ve been slogging uphill against my expectations and emotions this past week. Looking back, I see reasons why the past seven days have been challenging – everything from anxiety before, during, and after some dental work, …

Choosing to Do the Work to Reap the Benefits of Marriage

Beth VogtBeth K. Vogt, challenges, change, choices, expectations, failure, family, forgiveness, grace, hope, Life, Love, perfectionism, perseverance, perspective, Quotes, Reality, Relationships, trust 10 Comments

I blew it with my husband, Rob, the other day. To be more specific — I blew up at Rob over the most trivial thing. Rather than dealing with the unexpected interruption to my day – I did say it was minor, right? – I called Rob and made sure he knew I was upset. That I didn’t appreciate what …

7 Quotes to Challenge Your Perspective on Life, Love, and Relationships (and a Giveaway)

Beth VogtAuthors, Beth K. Vogt, emotions, expectations, Faith, family, forgiveness, Friendship, hope, kindness, Life, Love, perspective, Quotes, Relationships, Romance, trust 8 Comments

@bethvogt   As I considered possible topics for today’s blog post, I decided to indulge my love of quotes and create graphics for you to enjoy. You’ll find quotes from some of my favorite authors, including two of my writing mentors — waving at you, Rachel Hauck and Susan May Warren. What are some of your favorite quotes about life, …

Choosing to Wait for Hope When Grief Wrecks Our Hearts

Beth VogtBeth K. Vogt, brokenness, challenges, choices, COVID-19, expectations, Faith, grief, hope, Life, perseverance, perspective, prayer, Quotes, suffering 18 Comments

For all our hopes this new year would be better than the previous 12 months, the first 27 days of 2021 are disappointing. Such an understatement, right? I texted with a good friend several days ago. Normal “how’s it going” stuff. And then a little while later these words appeared on my phone screen: got some really bad news. A …

Recognizing We’re Afraid … and Choosing to Do What Needs to be Done Anyway

Beth Vogtanxiety, Beth K. Vogt, challenges, change, choices, courage, grief, Life, perseverance, perspective, Quotes, Relationships, trust 16 Comments

@bethvogt I had a dental appointment yesterday. I dreaded it so much I’d put it off for five months. But yesterday, I “adulted” and went to the dentist. A lot of people are afraid of the dentist – maybe you’re one of them. If you are, I empathize with you. You’re welcome to share your story in the comments. I …

Choosing to Keep the Lights Turned On

Beth VogtBeth K. Vogt, challenges, Christmas, COVID-19, Faith, holidays, hope, Life, New Year, perseverance, perspective, Quotes 16 Comments

@bethvogt My family always packs away our Christmas decorations right after the new year. Only this year, we didn’t. My husband Rob suggested we keep our outside lights up until we no longer have to wear masks because of COVID-19. His recommendation includes the white lights on the evergreen tree in our front yard. It’s grown taller than we ever …

Viewing Christmas Through Others’ Words

Beth VogtBeth K. Vogt, Christmas, Faith, family, gratitude, holidays, hope, In Others' Words, kindness, Life, Love, perspective, Quotes, Relationships 10 Comments

@bethvogt “My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others.” Bob Hope (1903-2003), British-American comedian and actor   My love of quotes prompted today’s post. I decided to step aside this week and let others step front and center stage. I spent last night gathering some of my favorite Christmas quotes for you to enjoy. Let …

Choosing to Balance Our Expectations with Reality During the Holidays

Beth Vogtacceptance, Beth K. Vogt, challenges, choices, Christmas, COVID-19, expectations, family, holidays, hope, Life, perseverance, perspective, Quotes, Reality 8 Comments

@bethvogt Like it or not, the holidays are coming in the midst of a pandemic. I don’t know anyone who likes it. I also acknowledge each of us honor different holiday traditions: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa. Some of us may have even broken away from our original family customs. And in the midst of all of this, there may be other …

What Do We Do When Thanksgiving and Grief Collide?

Beth VogtBeth K. Vogt, brokenness, challenges, choices, COVID-19, crisis, family, grace, grief, holidays, hope, Life, mental health, perseverance, perspective, Quotes, Reality, suffering 14 Comments

@bethvogt   Our Thanksgiving holiday is complicated this year. I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised. It is 2020, after all. A world-wide pandemic doesn’t take a day off so we can observe our annual holiday traditions. Some of us have already decked our halls with fa-la-la-la-la because we just need a little Christmas right now – not later. Then in …