Beth K. Vogt's Blog, page 16

In Others’ Words: Coming to Grips with Age

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. Sixty years old.

Can I just say I’ve wrestled with admitting my age to you all out loud on this blog for months???

I put away my Barbies a long time ago, along with any attempts to measure up to her. Pun intended.

That said, I do blame Jamie Lee Curtis for this post – specifically her October 2018 “Secrets to Confidence” article in Good Housekeeping magazine. In the article, she talked openly about turning 60 and her life philosophy: If not now, when?

Could I stare down my coming birthday with as much confidence as Jamie Lee Curtis  … and not blink?

I don’t talk about my age because, well, I don’t want other people defining me by my age. Maybe it’s because I watched my mother struggle with the whole “I don’t want to get older” dilemma. Most women do, but my mother’s attempts to stay young tripped me up a bit.  And even though I’ve already told my kiddos that I’m going to age – let Barbie do the plastic to fend off the passing of time, not me –  I still struggle with the fact that I am, in fact, getting older.

I’ve always said I would never lie about my age. And I don’t. I do, however, just not talk about how old I am. If people want to assume I’m younger than the age on my Colorado driver’s license, that’s fine with me.

But the reality is I am going to be 60 in five months.

There. I said it again.

It was slightly less painful that time.

Whenever I consider my age – confront it and the wrinkles in the mirror – I always ask myself what year would I give up to be younger? The year I met my husband? A particular year in our marriage? The year one of our children was born? The year I survived a life-threatening illness? The two years we lived in Turkey? The eight years in Florida? Any of our years in Colorado?

No. I wouldn’t give up any of those years. Each one of those experiences, those times, are part of me.  My victories. My failures. My lessons learned.

My memories.

I’ve also thought about how I want to handle this whole turning 60 thing. I’ve already told my husband no surprise birthday party – although that’s exactly what I did for him. But, as a friend pointed out, turning 60 for a man is not the same as turning 60 for a woman.

I could run full tilt into this birthday, with a false bravado I’m just not feeling.

Or I could be honest.

And if you know me at all, you know I value honesty.

So this is me, saying I’m going to be 60 in a few months – and also saying I’m not all that comfortable with that idea.

The truth is, I’ve never been all that comfortable in my own skin. I’ve always felt like other people do themselves better than I do me.

So maybe, maybe, the next few months will be about getting comfortable with where I am … and who I am … and celebrating life along the way.

In Your Words: What are you staring down in the coming year that makes you uncomfortable … makes you wonder if you’re up to the challenge?  

You may have noticed a few changes to this blog. Like it published on Wednesday, not Tuesday or Thursday. And the post is a little longer than previous posts. All deliberate changes. With the new year, I’ll be blogging once a week on Wednesdays, and going deeper with my posts. I’m looking forward to our conversations. 

Jamie Lee Curtis, Barbie ... and Me http://bit.ly/2R3C4iH #getting older #perspective
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'Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.' #quote by Mark Twain http://bit.ly/2R3C4iH #gettingolder
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In Others’ Words: Jamie Lee Curtis, Barbie … and Me

 

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. Sixty years old.

Can I just say I’ve wrestled with admitting my age to you all out loud on this blog for months???

I put away my Barbies a long time ago, along with any attempts to measure up to her. Pun intended.

That said, I do blame Jamie Lee Curtis for this post – specifically her October 2018 “Secrets to Confidence” article in Good Housekeeping magazine. In the article, she talked openly about turning 60 and her life philosophy: If not now, when?

Could I stare down my coming birthday with as much confidence as Jamie Lee Curtis  … and not blink?

I don’t talk about my age because, well, I don’t want other people defining me by my age. Maybe it’s because I watched my mother struggle with the whole “I don’t want to get older” dilemma. Most women do, but my mother’s attempts to stay young tripped me up a bit.  And even though I’ve already told my kiddos that I’m going to age – let Barbie do the plastic to fend off the passing of time, not me –  I still struggle with the fact that I am, in fact, getting older.

I’ve always said I would never lie about my age. And I don’t. I do, however, just not talk about how old I am. If people want to assume I’m younger than the age on my Colorado driver’s license, that’s fine with me.

But the reality is I am going to be 60 in five months.

There. I said it again.

It was slightly less painful that time.

Whenever I consider my age – confront it and the wrinkles down in the mirror – I always ask myself what year would I give up to be younger? The year I met my husband? A particular year in our marriage? The year one of our children was born? The year I survived a life-threatening illness? The two years we lived in Turkey? The eight years in Florida? Any of our years in Colorado?

No. I wouldn’t give up any of those years. Each one of those experiences, those times, are part of me.  My victories. My failures. My lessons learned.

My memories.

I’ve also thought about how I want to handle this whole turning 60 thing. I’ve already told my husband no surprise birthday party – although that’s exactly what I did for him. But, as a friend pointed out, turning 60 for a man is not the same as turning 60 for a woman.

I could run full tilt into this birthday, with a false bravado I’m just not feeling.

Or I could be honest.

And if you know me at all, you know I value honesty.

So this is me, saying I’m going to be 60 in a few months – and also saying I’m not all that comfortable with that idea.

The truth is, I’ve never been all that comfortable in my own skin. I’ve always felt like other people do themselves better than I do me.

So maybe, maybe, the next few months will be about getting comfortable with where I am … and who I am … and celebrating life along the way.

In Your Words: What are you staring down in the coming year that makes you uncomfortable … makes you wonder if you’re up to the challenge?  

You may have noticed a few changes to this blog. Like it published on Wednesday, not Tuesday or Thursday. And the post is a little longer than previous posts. All deliberate changes. With the new year, I’ll be blogging once a week on Wednesdays, and going deeper with my posts. I’m looking forward to our conversations. 

Jamie Lee Curtis, Barbie ... and Me http://bit.ly/2R3C4iH #getting older #perspective
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'Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.' #quote by Mark Twain http://bit.ly/2R3C4iH #gettingolder
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My Favorite Christmassy Things Giveaway

 

One of the fun holiday traditions I’ve enjoyed in recent years is taking part in giveaways with author-friends.

And so … welcome to the My Favorite Christmassy Things Giveaway, which was organized by my dear friend and fellow author Cathy West, who lives in Bermuda. My husband and I visited her family several years ago and it was one of our most special vacations ever!

Today, I’m interrupting my blogging vacation to share about my favorite Christmas decoration. But first, to set up the story …

When my son Josh was 17, he went on a high school mission trip to Israel and my husband and I went along as chaperones. One of my goals was to purchase an olive wood Nativity set for me and Rob. I also wanted to buy one for each of our three children so they could have a Nativity made in Bethlehem when they established their own homes.

Well, six weeks before we left for Israel, I found out I was pregnant with our fourth child! Our caboose kiddo, Christa, was quite a surprise from God, arriving when our other children were 17, 13 1/2 and 12 1/2. Her birthdate? Christmas Eve — but of course I didn’t know that when I was struggling with morning sickness.

I’ve always been thankful we found out about our unexpected blessing before our planned trip to Israel in 2000 because I came back with not four Nativity sets, but five: one for me and Rob, and one for each of our four children.

Do you have a favorite Christmas decoration? Share in a comment below for a chance to win an extra prize from me: the olive wood Christmas ornament pictured below. 

 

Be sure to stop by my other friend’s blogs in the My Favorite Christmassy Things Giveaway:

Dec 10: Catherine West – Welcome to My Favorite Christmassy Things

Dec 10: Cynthia Ruchti – My Favorite Christmas Tree

Dec 11:  Tamara Leigh – My Favorite Christmas Carol

Dec 12: Lauren K. Denton – My Favorite Christmas Disaster

Dec 13: Ronie Kendig – My Favorite Christmas Movie

Dec 14: Jody Hedlund – My Favorite Christmas Food

Dec 15: Elizabeth Byler Younts – My Favorite Christmas Ornament

Dec 16: Beth K. Vogt – My Favorite Christmas Decoration

Dec 17: Rachel Linden – My Favorite Christmas Service

Dec 18: Courtney Walsh – My Favorite Christmas Memory

Dec 19: Rachel Hauck – My Favorite Christmas Book

Dec 20: Susan Meissner – My Favorite Christmas Vacation

Dec 21: Catherine J. West – My Favorite Christmas Gift

Enter by midnight on 12/21/18 USA Eastern time! Winners will be drawn on 12/22/18 and posted on Catherine West’s site. And please note that the giveaway is open to U.S. participants only.

Major Prizes:

1st: All 12 Print Novels

2nd: $50 Amazon gift card and $20 Starbucks Gift Card

3rd: $50 Amazon gift card

 

Join in MY FAVORITE CHRISTMASSY THINGS Giveaway! 12 Books. 12 Writers. 12 Favorite Things. Start at @cathwest's blog and join the fun with daily giveaways and entry to the Grand Prize!…
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MY FAVORITE CHRISTMASSY THINGS #GIVEAWAY: A planned trip to Israel, an unexpected pregnancy, and a favorite #Christmas decoration. https://buff.ly/2L84d1S
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In Others’ Words: The Basic Ingredients of Christmas

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 off from this blog until January. When I return, there will be a few changes, so stay tuned in the New Year!

And don’t forget to keep up with the Hope for the Holidays Giveaway for a chance to win books from me and 11 other authors, as well as an $150 Amazon gift card!

Merry Christmas, friends! See you in a few weeks!

 

'Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.' Quote by Peg Bracken #Christmas #gifts
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Find out about the HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS #Giveaway with authors @caraputman @AuthorDebRaney @robinleehatcher @colleencoble @tameraalexander @beckywadewriter @RachelHauck @DeniseAHunter @Katherine_Reay @HannahAlexander @julielessman @bethvogt…
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Hope for the Holidays with 12 Authors of Christmas

 

Listen along as some of your favorite authors — and some of my writer-friends — share special Christmas memories or holiday inspiration December 1-13! Plus have a chance to win the 12 books pictured above and a $150 Amazon card!

WIN A BOOK! You have 12 chances.

(US addresses only)

1. Watch author’s FB Live video on her FB page, live or replay. (Schedule and links below)

2. Leave a comment, per author’s instruction.

3. Commenters will be randomly chosen to win books on Dec 13!

Use Clues to win a $150 AMAZON CARD!

1. Watch all 12 videos, live or replayed, in order. (Schedule and links below)

2. Write down the one-word clue each author gives you. All 12 words will combine to make a sentence.

3. Go here to enter the winning sentence by Dec. 13: http://www.caraputman.com/giveaways/christmas-giveaway-3/ (This page will not be available until after the giveaway begins on Saturday, Dec. 1.)

FACEBOOK LIVE VIDEO SCHEDULE:

Saturday, Dec 1 Cara Putman — 2:00 PM EST

https://www.facebook.com/cara.putman

Sunday, Dec 2 Deborah Raney — 4:00 PM EST

https://www.facebook.com/deborah.raney

Monday, Dec 3 Robin Lee Hatcher — 2:00 PM EST

https://www.facebook.com/robinleehatcher/

Tuesday, Dec 4 Colleen Coble — 2:00 PM EST

https://www.facebook.com/colleencoblebooks/

Wednesday, Dec 5 Tamera Alexander — 8:00 PM EST

https://www.facebook.com/tamera.alexander

Thursday, Dec 6 Becky Wade — 9:00 PM EST

https://www.facebook.com/authorbeckywade/

Friday, Dec 7 Rachel Hauck — 2:00 PM EST

https://www.facebook.com/rachelhauck/

Saturday, Dec 8 Denise Hunter — 1:00 PM EST

https://www.facebook.com/authordenisehunter/

Sunday, Dec 9 Katherine Reay — 6:00 pm EST

https://www.facebook.com/katherinereaybooks/

Monday, Dec 10 Beth Vogt — 12:00 pm EST

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBethKVogt/

Tuesday, Dec 11 Hannah Alexander — 2:00 PM EST

https://www.facebook.com/author.HannahAlexander/

Wednesday, Dec 12 Julie Lessman — 2:00 PM EST

https://www.facebook.com/JulieLessmanAuthor/

 

Remember: The giveaway kicks off this Saturday with Cara Putman at 2:00 PM EST! 

GET READY: Hope for the Holidays #Giveaway starts Saturday Dec 1! Win 12 different books and a $150 #Amazon gift card !http://bit.ly/2BCSVzw
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Find out about the HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS #Giveaway with authors @caraputman @AuthorDebRaney @robinleehatcher @colleencoble @tameraalexander @beckywadewriter @RachelHauck @DeniseAHunter @Katherine_Reay @HannahAlexander @julielessman…
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In Others’ Words: My One Word for 2019

 

Let’s talk about choosing One Word for the coming year. 

2019 is just over a month away, but if you’ve been reading this blog for awhile, then you know that I gave up New Year’s resolutions thirteen years ago. All my good intentions — the “I wills” and the “I won’ts” — faded so quickly, and I always misplaced my list of resolutions before January was over.

Instead, I choose One Word and focus on it for 365 days. Doing so changes my perspective. My heart. My actions.

Before I tell you the One Word I selected for 2019, here’s a quick recap of my One Words for the past 13 years.


2006: gratitude – I kept a gratitude journal and found my “glass-half-empty” attitude revolutionized.
2007: simplify – A severe illness turned this word into survival. I embraced simpler things in ways I never imagined.
2008: content – as in “be content with such things as you have” (Hebrews 13:5) I bought a lot less that year!
2009 & 2010: forgiveness – I had a lot to learn and unlearn about forgiveness.
2011: hope – I clung to this word when life hurt or when my heart ached for others who were hurting.
2012: trust – During a year of change, I faced doubting versus trusting — and chose to trust.
2013: confidence – I set my heart and mind on “not throwing away my confidence.” (Hebrews 10:35-36)
2014: think – I anchored my thinking to truth more and more, rather than letting my thoughts go wandering around in doubts and lies.
2015: collaborate – “to work jointly on an activity, especially to produce or create something.” I focused on collaborating with God in my writing life.
2016: prosper – to act wisely, as in “And David was acting wisely (prospering) in all his ways for the LORD was with him.” (1 Samuel 18:14) This word stayed with me as I confronted a lot of major (and minor) decisions.
2017: inheritance – Psalm 16:5-6 talks about having a “delightful inheritance.” To be honest, I wasn’t as intentional about my One Word as I’ve been in the past. Life was just one challenge after another. But God continued to show me the word again and again in small ways … and I was encouraged that there’s more to this life than the here and now.
2018: kind – Ephesians 4:32a encourages us to “Be kind to one another.” This past year, I started each week with a quote on kindness, sharing it on Instagram and Facebook, and looking for opportunities to be compassionate and kind.

 

My One Word for 2019 is anchor. “Anchor” harkens back to my 2014 word “think,” where I anchored my thoughts to the truth. This year, I struggled to settle on my One Word. Originally, I thought of “mind-full” — concentrating on what I filled my mind with. And then I remembered how I focused on my anchor verses earlier this year, and the word “anchor” rose to the surface. ((No pun intended.)

And when I saw the illustration I posted with this blog by my oh-so-creative friend, Amy Kirk, I knew I’d found my visual for the coming year. To see more of Amy’s creations, follow her on Instagram, and visit her Etsy shop, AhniArt.

  In Your Words: I’d love to know if you’ve selected One Word for 2019 — and what it is. Or if you prefer to do resolutions, tell me why!

In Others' Words: My One Word for 2019 http://bit.ly/2KE0FEo #OneWord #2019
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'I am secured by your grace as I sail across this stormy sea.' Quote from a prayer in The Valley of Vision http://bit.ly/2KE0FEo #anchor #security
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Choosing to be Thankful Now

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 — and you will be throughout the holiday season. I’m thankful for each opportunity I have to connect with you. Yes, sharing quotes with you is fun, but it’s even more about connecting about things we care about: life, relationships, values, faith, and yes, fun.

In Your Words: I know everyone’s busy today, but if you’d like to share who or what you’re thankful for, please do!

Choosing to be Thankful Now http://bit.ly/2KnPQWD #thanksgiving #gratitude
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'It's up to us to choose contentment and thankfulness now - and to stop imagining that we have to have everything perfect before we'll be happy.' Quote by @joannagaines http://bit.ly/2KnPQWD #thanksgiving #gratitude
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In Others’ Words: The “More” of Getting to Know You

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 to know others. Of valuing someone else enough to discover who they are. What they like. What they dislike. What they know that we don’t know … we miss the joy of discovering who someone else is and how it enriches our lives so much more than talking on and on and on about ourselves.

Let me stop talking here and share a video with you that reminded me in such an eloquent way how everyone has value.

Yes, we all know something that someone else doesn’t know … and we should take the time to value others.

But it’s also good to remember that everyone has value no matter what they do or do not know.

In Your Words: Tell me something fun that you know — I’d love to hear that today! And also, who in your life helps remind you that you are valuable?

The More of Getting to Know You http://bit.ly/2BhRfvc #quote #validation
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'Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't.' Quote by Bill Nye the Science Guy http://bit.ly/2BhRfvc #value #perspective
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In Others’ Words: Two Ways to Be Happy

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 circumstances, I should consider changing my expectations. (And yes, I’m paraphrasing here.) 

I forced myself — yes, forced myself — to sit and listen to her. I resisted my first reaction to insist, “No. I need to do this .. and this … and this.”

Doing all that would only deplete my emotional margin even more.

By waiting and listening, I heard my friend ask, “Maybe you can accept that God has something different for you during this time than what you had planned?”

And that was the best part of the truth.

With those words, life wasn’t tripped up by what I wasn’t getting accomplished. It became about what good thing I would miss out on — what God-thing I would miss out on — if I didn’t let go of my expectations, my demands, for today, and tomorrow, and the next day.

Changing my attitude, my approach to life, didn’t mean I lowered my expectations. But I did relax my grip on them. Refused to strangle the life and breath out of them with “shoulds” and “musts.”

And you know what? I’m happier for it.

In Others’ Words: What do you need to do today to be a bit happier: improve your reality or lower your expectations?

In Others' Words: Two Ways to be Happy http://bit.ly/2K3SqkH #quotes #expectations
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'There were two ways to be happy: improve your reality, or lower your expectations.' Quote by @jodipicoult http://bit.ly/2K3SqkH #reality #expectations
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In Others’ Words: When We Give What We Have

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 them and I was already assuming they wouldn’t like it. Wouldn’t want it.

Then there are times when I think about calling a friend who’s having a rough week. Or sending them a quick email to say hi and let them know I’m praying for them.

But I don’t because, you know, sending a pretty card would be better. Or showing up at their house with a bouquet of flowers would mean more.

And so I do nothing.

And doing nothing … well, what good is that? Giving something — even the smallest word of encouragement — may be just what my friend needed to hear.

Giving the little that we have — with no hesitation and no qualifiers — may be the difference between emotional darkness and light for someone in need.

Let’s think about that … no, let’s act on that truth.

In Your Words: When have you been prompted to give what you had to someone and found it better than you imagined? 

In Others' Words: When We Give What We Have http://bit.ly/2JXrm6t #quotes #giving
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'Give what you have to somebody, it may be better than you think.' Quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow http://bit.ly/2JXrm6t #giving #relationships
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