Beth K. Vogt's Blog, page 27

In Others’ Words: What’s Your Main Thing?

I’ve attended hundreds of volleyball games since my youngest daughter started playing back in fifth grade. And I’ve also taken thousands of photographs.Yes, of my daughter, but of her teammates, too. The setters. The outside hitters. The liberos. The defensive specialists. The middle blockers. The right sides.

One of my favorite photos? When the team huddles up. The girls do this before, during, and after games. And no matter how many photographs I have of teams standing with their arms around each other, I find myself taking just one more … again and again and again.

I wonder what they’re saying to each other when they’re circled up, sometimes with the coach, sometimes without. Maybe they’re encouraging each other. Maybe they’re regrouping when the game isn’t going well. Maybe they’re savoring a win … or facing a loss. 

But one thing is certain: they’re always coming back to the main thing: that they are a team. And win or lose, they compete together. 

We can get distracted by circumstances — the wins and the losses in our lives. We can begin to believe the lie that we are alone — and nothing chips away at a person’s sense of worth like stark silence of loneliness. We forget the main thing: the truth of who we are and Whose we are.

It’s important to know our “main thing” and it’s also important to be surrounded by others who believe in and support our main thing so that when we forget, they can remind us and hold us steady.

In Your Words: I know my main thing is my faith and knowing who God says I am. What’s you’re main thing — the truth that you stand on that holds you steady? And who helps you remember that main thing? 

In Others\’ Words: What\’s Your Main Thing? http://wp.me/p63waO-2ro #quotes #perspective

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\”The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2ro #quote #StephenCovey

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In Others’ Words: Believing Good When Times are Bad

 

I’ve always been intrigued by this quote by Anne Frank. Astounded, really. 

A young girl whose life was destroyed by the Nazi Holocaust states that despite everything — despite losing her home, despite having to hide from people who want to kill her and her family, despite the fear of being caught and taken to a concentration camp (which was her ultimate fate) — she believes in the goodness of others.

For the record, I’m not debating the theological pros and cons of Anne Frank’s view. That is not the point of this blog post.

The point is Anne Frank choosing to see past the bad … the very, very bad that is happening all around her … and believe in the good. People are acting out hate in words and the most atrocious of deeds. And this young girl chooses to look for the good in people.

This, quite honestly, amazes me.

If we exchange the word “Holocaust” for the word “circumstances” — and I realize the idea sounds ludicrous — there is a lesson for each one of us in Anne Frank’s words. We all face circumstances in our lives where people wrong us. Where people hurt us. We can decide everyone will wrong us. That everyone will hurt us. Or we can choose, despite everything, to look for the good in people.

In Others’ Words: Who, through their words or actions, has shown you how people can be good to others? 

In Others\’ Words: Believing God When Times are Bad http://wp.me/p63waO-2rh #quotes #perspective

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\”Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2rh #quote #AnneFrank

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In Others’ Words: What Suffering Requires

Everyone suffers.

I don’t think anyone would argue with that statement.

We might argue with with how much someone suffers — whether someone’s suffering is worse than another person’s … or ours. We might argue with the wrongness or rightness of the suffering. But no one get’s a bye on suffering.

The question then becomes suffering plus what allows us to learn from that which hurts? That which takes our normal life and cause it to become something unrecognizable … something unwanted … and yet, something undeniably ours.

Author Anne Morrow Lindbergh states that for us to learn from our suffering we must add mourning and understanding and patience and love and openness and vulnerability. But isn’t vulnerability the catalyst that allows us to mourn? To understand? To be patient in the face of suffering? To love? To open ourselves up to others … and to the full range of our emotions as we walk an unexpected, unwanted bend in our life road?

Unless we’re brave enough to be vulnerable in the face of our challenges, our heartaches, how can we learn anything from them? Our suffering is wasted … nothing more than pain. But when we become someone who can mourn honestly … or someone who understands not just ourselves but others better … if we are more patient with others who struggle … if we risk loving out loud then, and only then, have we gleaned the wisdom from the suffering.

In Your Words: How has suffering made you wise? How have you allowed yourself to learn from suffering?

In Others\’ Words: What Suffering Requires http://wp.me/p63waO-2ra #quotes #suffering

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\”I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches ….\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2ra #quote #AnneMorrowLindbergh

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In Others’ Words: Never Walk Back

 

Progress is not about how fast you are going, but it is most definitely about forward motion.

We almost always equate progress with success — although sometimes that is debatable — and sometimes we also believe success has to happen quickly. Hence, the term “overnight success,” which is an oxymoron in itself. 

I’ve achieved some successes in my life and I’ll tell you this: most of them took quite a bit longer to occur than I’d expected. I certainly wasn’t an overnight success as an author. Some people would say I’m still not a huge success, although I’ve achieved some of my goals, even as I’m setting my sights on some new ones. I’m happily married, although “happily married” doesn’t mean “never had to work through issues”. Like the sign posted in our bedroom says: The first fifty years of marriage are the hardest. My husband and I have a few years to go until  our Golden Anniversary — but we’re focused on the years ahead instead of the ones behind us.

All this to say, I’m in agreement with Abraham Lincoln. Slow and steady — and not looking back — works best for me. I’m less likely to trip and fall on my face. And I’m more likely to see the opportunities waiting for me.

In Your Words: What’s your take on forward motion? Does slow and steady work for you or do you you prefer a faster pace? And do you see and advantage in going back?

In Others\’ Words: Never Look Back http://wp.me/p63waO-2r2 #quotes #progress

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\”I am a slow walker, but I never walk back.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2r2 #quotes #AbrahamLincoln

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In Others’ Words: What to Do After Going Halfway

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 100% that makes relationships work.

Again, not necessarily.

My 100% isn’t always someone else’s 100%. And I may slack off when someone else may keep investing. There is one thing I do know: one person can’t keep a relationship alive all on their own.

For today, let’s go with meeting someone halfway. It’s true that your next step is vital. Do you step forward and commit more? Or do you step backward and ease away from the relationship?

Sometimes, if a relationship isn’t working, it’s about giving more. Sacrificing. Going all in.

But sometimes it’s about stepping back and reevaluating. Recognizing that the relationship isn’t working for a reason — and that no matter what you do, you can’t fix it. So you step back. Establish a healthy boundary. Or you seek wise counsel to help develop a better relationship.

The choice, as they say, is yours. 

In Your Words: How do you decide your next step after meeting someone halfway? 

In Others\’ Words: What to Do After Going Halfway http://wp.me/p63waO-2qV #quotes #relationships

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\”The most important step is the one you take after meeting someone halfway.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2qV #quotes #RobertBrault

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In Others’ Words: Looking for the Good Stuff

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 someone. I’m going to pay it forward.

And if I get a chance — and I know I will — I’m going to be good when I can, too. Not because I want the praise, but because the world needs more good. More kindness. More patience. More smiles. More graciousness. More laughter.

In Your Words: Won’t you join me today — and the rest of the week — in looking for the good and praising it? And what good have you seen lately?

In Others\’ Words: Looking for the Good Stuff http://wp.me/p63waO-2qP #quotes #perspective

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\”Find the good stuff and praise it.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2qP #quote #AlexHaley

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In Others’ Words: Being Thankful for Octobers

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 into the start of school and before we get caught up in the holidaze that close out the year.

So yes, I’m glad we live a a world that includes Octobers. It’s both beautiful and a buffer — and I appreciate both.

In Your Words: What’s your favorite time of year? I’d love to know if you like Octobers too — or some other season. And yes, this is a brief blog post, but Wednesday included both a trip to the DMV and a dental appointment that was a bit more complicated than anticipated. So … there you go. 

In Others\’ Words: Being Thankful for Octobers http://wp.me/p63waO-2qJ #quotes #autumn

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\”I\’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2qJ #quotes #LMMontgomery

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In Others’ Words: Personal Investment

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 took the afternoon and drove up into the mountains to see the fall colors. We caught remnants of autumn — photographed glimpses of aspen trees and ducks and geese swimming along a mountain river. We alternated between taking pictures with our Canon camera and with our phone cameras. And we talked. About things we want to do. Things we need to do. You know — life. 

Those few hours away were an investment in ourselves. We came back rested, refreshed, and better prepared for the upcoming week, which is going to be even busier than usual.

And here’s the even bigger reality: we’ve talked about going to the mountains to see the fall colors for years. Years. And this is the year that we finally made the time to go.

In Your Words: How do you invest in yourself? And when was the last time you did it? 

In Others\’ Words: Personal Investment http://wp.me/p63waO-2qB #quotes #personalinvestment

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\”There\’s one investment that supersedes all others: Invest in yourself.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2qB #quotes #WarrenBuffett

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In Others’ Words: Whatcha’ Gonna Be?

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 us who or what we’re supposed to be, and we listen to them — even when that “be” isn’t true to who we really are.

When was the last time you let yourself be silly? Sometimes I worry too much what other people might think if I let go and have fun. And then I watch my two GRANDgirls, who know how to be silly and who invite me into their silliness, and I am reminded that being silly is therapeutic. 

Are you living an honest life — being true to yourself and your values? This “be” is a tricky one because so many people tell us who we should be. What we should value. Sometimes we need to stop all the be-ing and remember who we are instead of being who others want us to be.

Be kind. Oh, how I find myself reminding myself of this “be” over and over again. I want to be kind to others. I want to be kind to myself. And then I want to repeat, repeat, repeat kindness because it seems so lacking in the world today.

In Your Words: If you could choose, which one of the “Be’s” would you act on today: Be silly or Be honest or Be kind? Or if you could write out your own three Be’s, what would they be? 

In Others\’ Words: Whatcha\’ Gonna Be? http://wp.me/p63waO-2qu #quotes #identity

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\”Be silly. Be honest. Be kind.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2qu #quotes #RalphWaldoEmerson

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In Others’ Words: Active Patience

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 pictures of the team — and my daughter CJ’s favorite player — and taking pictures of a few of my favorite quotes.

The quote about patience is causing me to reframe my definition of the word. So often I think of patience as sitting around and waiting for something to happen … you know, not doing much until somebody else does something. But now I’m thinking of how patience can be a re-action to something or someone else. 

When confronted with a challenging opponent, one that causes your team to fall behind in a set, you react with patience. You play your game, both physically and mentally, which means you don’t loose your cool and you don’t pout.
When you face an irritating opponent on the other side of the net, you do not react in kind because that is not good sportsmanship. You are even-tempered and steady — and your focus is on playing the game.

And just for fun, this is my daughter with Matt Anderson of the U.S.A. Men’s Volleyball Team — her favorite player.

In Your Words: How do you see patience as an action?

In Others\’ Words: Active Patience http://wp.me/p63waO-2qd #quotes #athletes

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\”Patience is also a form of action.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2qd #quotes #sports

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