Beth K. Vogt's Blog, page 30
July 19, 2017
In Others’ Words: Milestones and Moments
Life is both moments and milestones.
Yesterday, my daughter CJ just accomplished a major milestone in a teenager’s life: She got her driver’s license. An hour later, she drove off in my car, heading to a volleyball workout. Did we celebrate that milestone? Oh, yes, yes, we did! Photos were taken and posted on Facebook and Instagram and there was a lot of spontaneous HaPpY dAnCiNg going on in our house.
We need to celebrate when we achieve the milestones we’ve worked so hard to reach. Things like driver’s licenses. Diplomas. Landing an agent. Signing a book contract. Conquering any longstanding challenge.
But on our way to those milestones, we should also be mindful of the moments in our lives, too. Moments make up those milestones, right? When CJ saw the photo I chose for today’s quote, she knew exactly what moment she was celebrating: a block against another team during a high school varsity volleyball game. Yes, the team was focused on winning — but they always celebrated one another during each game.
The milestones — the goal — didn’t overshadow the moments.
In Your Words: What moments have your celebrated recently? What milestones?
In Others\’ Words: Milestones and Moments http://wp.me/p63waO-2nA #quotes #celebrate
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\”Life isn\’t a matter of milestones, but of moments.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2nA #quotes #perspective
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July 17, 2017
In Others’ Words: Spending Money
I believe that you can never have too many books.
Here’s proof: A year ago, my husband and I did some time-to-get-serious cleaning of closets and bookshelves. I forced myself to part with some books. (When I wrote that last sentence, I originally typed the words “get rid of” but that sounded so callous.) I cried when I had to give those books away. Yep. I did.
I’ve always loved books.
Before I was a writer, I was a reader. Growing up, the library was my favorite place to visit and I always stretched the limit of how many books I could check out at one time. I wish I could remember the first book I ever purchased, but I don’t. More than likely, it was a romance. Or something historical. Maybe a biography. But I do remember the struggle I always faced trying to decide between my favorite authors … or between two or three interesting titles.
I love giving books as gifts. My children could count on receiving books for birthday or Christmas … or just because. I wanted them to love reading as much as I do. Now I read the same books I read aloud to my children to my two GRANDgirls.
Now that I’m an author, my relationship with books has changed. I know more about the “how” of a book than I ever imagined. I’ve met authors I’ve admired and listened to them talk about their writing lives. Learned from them. Experienced the changes of the publishing world up-close and personal.
And I love books all the more.
Books have been a constant in my life for decades, one way or another — a worthwhile investment of money and time.
In Your Words: What’s the last book you bought? Is there a book you’re looking forward to reading? If you’re a writing, what book are you working on?
In Others\’ Words: Spending Money http://wp.me/p63waO-2nt #quotes #booklovers
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\”When I get a little money, I buy books; and if any is left, I buy food and clothes.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2nt #quote #booklovers
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July 12, 2017
In Others’ Words: Be Mindful
We fool ourselves sometimes, don’t we?
We created a nice, safe, manageable lives for ourselves. Our family. Our friends. And then something happens. An unexpected illness. I keep hearing about friends and acquaintances having their gall bladders removed. Or being diagnosed with cancer. Or maybe it’s an accident. Or even a natural disaster. Friends of mine had their house struck by lightening just a couple of weeks ago. How unexpected is that?
When we are faced with things like health problems, car accidents, family problems, we have to admit our control over our life is a pretense. More of a mental safety precaution than reality.
The one thing we can control? Our reactions to what we’re experiencing. We can guard our thoughts, which influence our actions and our words. What we think either makes us stronger … or weakens us.
“More than anything, protect your mind, for life flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 CEB
In Your Words: How do you have power over your mind … and find strength?
In Others\’ Words: Be Mindful http://wp.me/p63waO-2nk #quotes #strength
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\”You have power over your mind-not outside events. Realize this, and you will find #strength.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2nk #lifequotes
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July 10, 2017
In Others’ Words: The Multiplication of Applause
It’s the most natural thing in the world to applaud when someone does something good, isn’t it?
Well, yes … and no.
I love to attend Broadway shows. I don’t hesitate to start the applause after a moving duet or rousing dance performance. I’ve clapped my way through more school productions than I can count, not to mention sports competitions, and even some favorite movies. And yes, I’m talking about applauding in a theater, not at home. Although I’ve done that, too.
But I’ll confess that there have been times when I’ve hesitated to applaud another’s success, especially when the other person’s success threatens mine … or so I thought.
As a writer, I’ve achieved more things then I’ve ever hoped for … but there have been times when things I’ve wanted have eluded me. Awards. Recognition. Words of praise from someone I respect. And while those things passed me by, I’ve watched someone else — sometimes a close friend — do something good and get the very things I’d hoped for. Awards. Recognition. Words of praise.
My first reaction? Well, a few years back, my initial response wasn’t to applaud. Sometimes I sulked (in the privacy of my home) or sometimes I wondered, “Why not me?” Instead of seeing — and celebrating — someone else’s success, I focused on my lack.
But now I embrace the truth of Samuel Goldwyn’s “applause, applause” philosophy. When another writer does something good like finaling in a contest or winning an award or landing a contract, I applaud them. I hope in doing so, I add to their celebration. And yes, I’m happier too. The limelight shifts off my “what ifs” and onto their accomplishments — right where it should be.
In Others’ Words: How do you celebrate others’ success?
In Others\’ Words: The Multiplication of Applause http://wp.me/p63waO-2nc #perspective #quotes
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\”When someone does something good, applaud! You will make two people happy!\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2nc #quote #SamuelGoldwyn
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July 5, 2017
In Others’ Words: The Unique Power of Attitude
Attitude. Attitude. Attitude.
Our attitude takes us a long way in competition, doesn’t it?
Our attitude takes us a long way in life, too — which is a certain type of competition, when you think about it.
If you’ve been part of the ongoing conversation on this blog for a while, you know I wasn’t much of an athlete growing up. As I explained to my volleyball playing sixteen-year-old daughter the other day — Yes, she’s in that photo. — I didn’t play team sports because I was always afraid I’d let my team down. My daughter, CJ? She plays volleyball because she believes she can help her team win.
Talk about a big difference in attitude. The difference between playing sports or not playing. The difference between being part of a team or not.The difference between winning or losing.
Attitude made all the difference in my life and my daughter’s life — and hers is the richer for participating in the athletic competitions.
In Your Words: How has attitude — be it in athletic competition or in life in general — empowered your life?
In Others\’ Words: The Unique Power of Attitude http://wp.me/p63waO-2n3 #quotes #sports
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\”Athletic #competition clearly defines the unique power of our attitude.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2n3 #quote #BartStarr
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July 3, 2017
In Others’ Words: Thinking about Freedom
As we celebrate the 4th of July today, I’m always thankful for the freedom we share as Americans. And I’m also thankful for those military men and women — past, present, and future — who defend our freedom.
In Others\’ Words: Thinking about Freedom http://wp.me/p63waO-2mU #4thofjuly #quotes
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June 28, 2017
In Others’ Words: Living Expectant
How often do we look for our big opportunity somewhere out there — expecting the thing we’ve been waiting for to show up tomorrow, or next month, or even next year?
With a “somewhere out there” focus, what kind of right-here-right-now opportunities do we miss? The danger? Being so intent on tomorrow’s possibilities we overlook what’s happening today. Lessons to learn.Relationships to invest in. Virtual doors to knock on or even walk through to see what’s waiting on the other side.
Opportunities can happen anytime, anywhere — yes, even today, right where you are. Are you living expectant?
In Your Words: How can you live expectant today, ready for an opportunity here and now?
In Others\’ Words: Living Expectant http://wp.me/p63waO-2mN #quotes #opportunity
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\”Your big opportunity may be right where you are now.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2mN #NapoleonHill #quote
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June 26, 2017
In Others’ Words: One Word Wisdom
I handle stress different ways.
Sometimes I go for a walk — my stress level determines how far I go.
I might watch an episode or two of Dick Van Dyke. Sure, the TV show is in black and white, but nobody does comedy like Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore — not to mention Rose Marie and Morey Amsterdam.
Other times I talk the frustration out with my husband. Or with a trusted friend.
I also anchor my emotions to the Truth, rather than allowing them to toss me around like a load of wet laundry in the dryer.
And then there are times I have to remind myself to breathe. It sounds simple, doesn’t it? I mean, breathing is automatic. We breathe every day, all day. But just because we’re breathing doesn’t mean we’re doing the inhale-exhale process correctly. Ever heard of hyperventilation?
So when you see that simple word Breathe, the subtext is do it right, do it in a way that nourishes your body and mind … and your stress level will decrease.
In Your Words: I’m offering two questions for our conversation today. Take your pick — or answer both. What do you do to lower your stress? How would you fill in this blank? The wisest one word sentence? ________________
In Others\’ Words: One Word Wisdom http://wp.me/p63waO-2mB #quotes #justbreathe
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\”The wisest one-word sentence? Breathe.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2mB #justbreathe #quotegarden
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June 21, 2017
In Others’ Words: Do It Right or Do It Over
Sometimes a person says something and there’s just no arguing with them.
I mean, former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden says it straight up, doesn’t he? If we don’t have time to do something right, do we really think we’re going to find extra time for a do-over?
Do it once. Do it right. And be done with it.
I understand there are some things you can’t do once. ( All you writers out there, I know that writing is rewriting! ) But there are plenty of things that are habit — things we know how to do right the first time, allowing us to then move on to those things in our lives requiring more time, more attention, more effort.
There are certain aspects of my life that are challenging — and I’m certain that is true for you, too. But there are plenty of things we know how to do right — and it’s good to remind ourselves of that. Why not make our lives easier — and avoid unneeded do-overs — and do those things right the first time? We’ll save ourselves time for those things that truly require more time and effort — and also save ourselves frustration and regret.
In Your Words: How do you ensure that you do things once, do them right, and are done with them?
In Others\’ Words: Do It Right or Do It Over http://wp.me/p63waO-2ms #quotes #goals
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\”If you don\’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2ms #JohnWooden #quotes
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June 19, 2017
In Others’ Words: Take Another Look
My husband and I delved into photography the past few years. You can credit our interest to a couple of different things.
The first would be this blog. Yes, this blog is all about quotes, but I pair the quotes with images, preferably my own. And now, whenever my husband Rob goes snowshoeing or backpacking or fishing, he takes along a camera and promises, “I’ll bring back some photos for you!”
Another reason Rob and I enjoy photography so much is our youngest daughter’s involvement with volleyball. Her different volleyball teams — school and club — need a photographer and, well, with my lack of depth perception, no one wants me to be a line judge.
Photographer Ansel Adams provides an interesting perspective of photography … that, indeed, every image includes two unseen people: the photographer and the viewer. And what each person sees can be very, very different.
For instance, when I took the photo posted in this blog, I focused on my husband because it’s fun watching him take photos. But someone else looking at this picture might be captivated by the colors of the ocean. Or the clouds in the sky. Or the waves washing up on the sand. Or even how the blues in my husband’s clothes mirror the blues in water. (I didn’t notice that at all when I took the photograph.)
It’s all about perspective, isn’t it?
There’s a life lesson hidden Ansel Adams quote and it’s this: we need to be careful not to judge a person’s heart by a single action. Of course, sometimes intentions are clearly stated by a person’s action. But then there are times when we see someone do — or not do — something. And we think we know exactly who that person is because of what that person did or said. But we could be mistaken if we’re looking at only one part of the picture … that solitary moment … or if we’re considering only one aspect of a person’s character.
In Your Words: When has stepping back and considering something or someone from a different perspective changed your opinion of them or the situation?
In Others\’ Words: Take Another Look http://wp.me/p63waO-2mj #lifequotes #perspective
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\”There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2mj #AnselAdams #photography
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