In Others’ Words: Choosing Which Moments Define Us

Beth Vogtchoices, In Others' Words, perspective 15 Comments

Of Milestones and Moments @bethvogt At some point in our lives, we’ve all been cautioned not to make a mountain out of a molehill. Some well-meaning person thinks we’re overreacting to a situation – or maybe thinks we’re overreacting to them – and wants us to calm down. Maybe they’re right . Maybe we need to step back and take …

In Others’ Words: Coming to Grips with Age

Beth Vogtage, In Others' Words, Quotes 41 Comments

Jamie Lee Curtis, Barbie, and Me @bethvogt   Did you know Jamie Lee Curtis, one of my favorite actresses, turned 60 last November 22? And Barbie – yes, that Barbie, whose real name is Barbara Millicent Roberts – turns 60 in a few short months on March 9. And then there’s me. On May 5, I’ll be 60 years old. …

In Others’ Words: The Basic Ingredients of Christmas

Beth VogtChristmas, In Others' Words, Quotes 8 Comments

Here we are in the first week of December, with Christmas 3 weeks away. My youngest daughter turns 18 on Christmas Eve. 18 years old! And 2019 is 4 weeks away. I have to agree that time and love are the basic ingredients of a merry Christmas — the best parts of Christmas. And with that in mind, I’m signing …

Choosing to be Thankful Now

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Quotes, Thanksgiving 5 Comments

So many people are posting so many things about Thanksgiving today. So many things have already been said about Thanksgiving. About being grateful. And today is a day to be present … yes, present in our less-than-perfect circumstances and choose to be thankful for something. For someone.  Gratitude, if nothing else, is a choice. You are in my prayers today …

In Others’ Words: The “More” of Getting to Know You

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Quotes, validation 12 Comments

Everyone has value. The trick is to take the time to discover it. Perhaps you recall the musical “The King and I.” One of my favorite songs from that Rodgers and Hammerstein musical is “Getting to Know You,” with lyrics about “getting to know you, getting to know all about you …” Sometimes we forget the fine art of getting …

In Others’ Words: Two Ways to Be Happy

Beth Vogtexpectations, In Others' Words, Quotes 7 Comments

I shared with a friend this week how my emotional margin is depleted and how, at the same time, I’m pushing to meet some self-imposed goals. She listened. This friend always listens. And then she spoke some much-needed truth to me. About how my circumstances probably weren’t going to change right now. And that maybe, instead of pushing against the …

In Others’ Words: When We Give What We Have

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, perspective, Quotes 6 Comments

I love to give gifts to family members and friends. The funny thing is, in the past, I often gave a gift and accompanied it with an apology. “If you don’t like it, you can exchange it.”  “If that’s not exactly what you wanted, there’s a gift receipt in there …” Oftentimes, the person hadn’t even seen what I’d given …

In Others’ Words: A Simple Hope

Beth Vogthope, In Others' Words, Quotes 4 Comments

 I know many of us are counting the days down to Christmas — that gift-giving day that out-gives all other days in the year. And if you’re wondering, there are 47 days until Christmas. 4-7.  And yet,  not all of us celebrate Christmas. But gift-giving? It’s a year-round activity, what with birthdays and anniversaries and even “for no special reason” …

In Others’ Words: The Importance of Dreams

Beth Vogtdreams, In Others' Words, perspective, Uncategorized 4 Comments

Someone came up to me the other day and said, “I didn’t know you were an author!” I smiled and said, “Yes, I am.” Whenever someone says something like this to me, I pause and  remember I’m living my dream. This crazy, challenging, some-days-I’m-not-sure-I can-do-it career? It’s my childhood dream come true. And sometimes, I forget  it all started because …

In Others’ Words: An Opportune Time

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, opportunities, Quotes 6 Comments

  So often we look at the time we have and think of what we’re not accomplishing.  And we stress out. Maybe we could change how we think about the time we have. Be more positive about our days — the hours and minutes we are blessed with.  Today is an opportune time to: be kind.  laugh with family and …