Beth K. Vogt's Blog, page 33

In Others’ Words: Don’t Take the Shortcut

Do you like shortcuts?

I admit, I’m not a fan of them. I know they’re supposed to make life easier … get us where we want to be faster. But inevitably when I take a shortcut, I end up lost. Wondering why I didn’t follow the normal directions and just deal with the it’s-going-to-take-me-longer-to-get-there route.

Sometimes we just have to do it — whatever “it” is we’re trying to achieve. All of it. No shortcuts. No fast tracks. No quick fixes. No instant successes. Just do the work, learn the lessons — the easy ones and the hard ones. We have to succeed and yes, fail, just like everybody else does. Do not pass go — because that’s a shortcut.

Do you want to be a writer? Learn the rules — and yes, there are rules that will help you be a good writer — and then go ahead and break them. (But only if breaking the rules helps you write a better story).
Do you want to be an artist? Don’t skip over the basic elements of color and form and whatever else it takes to paint and sketch and design before you decide what your style is. (

And then play around with color and form all you want!)
Do you want to be a speaker? Talk to others you respect and find out how they became such inspiring speakers. Don’t just walk up on stage, grab the mike, and open your mouth and say what you have to say. (Because no one would do that, right? But some people come close.)

We should never confuse forging a new path with a shortcut. Those are two very different things. Forging a new path involves being brave enough to go our own way — without making excuses or shirking responsibilities or shrinking back from hard work. Taking shortcuts can be all about choosing the easy way out — and missing the wisdom from much-needed lessons learned along the way.

In Your Words: What do you think about taking shortcuts in life? Can they lead us anywhere worthwhile?

In Others\’ Words: Don\’t Take the Shortcut http://wp.me/p63waO-2ji #InOthersWords #quotes #noshortcuts

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\”There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2ji #quotes #BeverlySills #noshortcuts

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In Others’ Words: Are You Ready Yet?

There are times when perfection has tripped me up. I’m heading in the right direction, liking where I’m going, and then I convince myself that, not only do my efforts need to be better, they need to be perfect.

Yep. That kind of thinking lands me flat on my face every time.

But then there are the times that I don’t even get started on the things I want to do — the book I’m excited to write or the class I’m excited to teach — because I’m staring down the whole question of “Is it going to be perfect?” And I know the answer is going to be No.

So I procrastinate. I talk about what I’m going to do. I think about what I’m going to do. I wait for the “feeling” to be right … that magical, oh-so-elusive day when “everything, absolutely everything is ready” — including me.

And it never happens.

And I don’t begin. For days and days and days. And what do I accomplish? You guessed it: nothing.

Better to get started and produce something imperfect with a spark of beauty in it than to do nothing — and never discover what thing of beauty was hidden inside of you. A book. A work of art. A relationship. A ministry. Even the smallest of sparks, you know, can be fueled and fanned into flame.

In Others’ Words: What are you waiting for? What helps you get past the trap of perfection so that you can begin whatever it is that you want to do?

In Others\’ Words: Are You Ready Yet? http://wp.me/p63waO-2ja #InOthersWords #quotes #getstarted

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\”If we wait for the moment when everything…is ready, we shall never begin.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2ja #quotes #IvanTurgenev #begin

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In Others’ Words: Pay Attention

 

“Pay attention to the beauty surrounding you.” 

When you read those encouraging words by author Anne Lamott, what bit of beauty surrounding you came to mind?

For me, I thought of Pikes Peak, the majestic mountain I can see every day as I drive around Colorado Springs taking my daughter to and from school. Or going to Costco. Or riding in the car while my daughter drives me around town — now that’s fun!

If I’m not careful, Pikes Peak can become invisible — all 14,000-plus feet of it. I forget that it’s there … forget to look up and see the clouds moving across the sky or the beautiful sunsets.

It goes without saying — but I’m saying it anyway — that our cellphones have added to the whole “What are we paying attention to?” problem. We can spend so much time looking down at our screens, scrolling through apps, that we overlook the people and places — the beauty — right in front of us.

In Your Words: Look up . . . look around . . . what beauty surrounds you?

In Others\’ Words: Pay Attention http://wp.me/p63waO-2j3 #InOthersWords #quotes #seethebeauty

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\”Pay attention to the beauty surrounding you.\” #quotes @ANNELAMOTT @seethebeauty

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In Others’ Words: The Best Advice

 

I think the encouragement to keep reading is good advice for anyone, don’t you? I certainly never lack for books to read … and while sometimes I just read for pleasure, there are certain books that have influenced me greatly, changing my thoughts about life and about myself.

There are any number of quotes about advice:

“No one can give you better advice than yourself.” -Cicero (106 BC – 43 BC), Roman philosopher (Not sure I agree with Cicero.)

“Wise men don’t need advice. Fools won’t take it.” -Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), one of the Founding Fathers of the United States (Ben has a point.)

“I owe my success to listening respectfully to the best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite.” -G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936), English writer & theologian (Had to laugh at G.K.’s attitude.)

“Whatever advice you give, be brief.” -Horace (65 BC – 8 BC), Roman lyric poet (Totally agree with Horace.)

I’ve both given and received advice. Over the years, I’ve learned to wait before offering any, “Here’s what I think you should do … ” words of so-called wisdom. Wait and pray — and maybe end up not saying anything at all because maybe it’s not my place. And I’ve also learned to wait . . . listen . . . and pray when someone offers me advice. To be honest, receiving advice is always the greater challenge.

But I am thankful for the advice of others, sometimes spoken, sometimes lived out (no words needed.) Advice that has helped me be a better person, a better wife, a better mom, a better friend, a better writer . . .

Here’s one of the best pieces of advice I ever heard about how to deal with feeling overwhelmed. (I met Joe Cook and his wife while my husband and I were stationed overseas.):

Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed, I remember Joe’s words — “Don’t wash the elephants that aren’t going to be in the parade.” — and I start eliminating “elephants,” — the things I don’t have to do. His advice makes me laugh — and it’s stress-relieving, too!

In Your Words: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

In Others\’ Words: The Best Advice http://wp.me/p63waO-2iV #InOthersWords #quotes #thebestadvice

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\”The best advice I ever got was that knowledge is power and to keep reading.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2iV #quotes #thebestadvice

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Sign up for my monthly author newsletter and receive a free #gift! http://wp.me/P63waO-1n3 #authornewsletter #amwriting

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In Others’ Words: New Day, New Choices

Sometimes, simple is best.

New day. New choices.

It’s today. There’s nothing I can do to undo what happened yesterday — except, maybe, offer an apology if an apology is needed. But that doesn’t change the choices I made yesterday. It’s merely the choice I am making today.

I can base today’s choices on the ones I made yesterday — and continue to make the same kind of choices or make different choices. But maybe, just maybe, it’s all about realizing it’s a new day and I can make new choices.

Too often we go from one day to the next just choosing the same old thing, as if today is the same as yesterday and tomorrow will be the same as today — as if we have no choice in the matter. But that kind of living is allowing ourselves to be blinded by what was and what is … and not seeing what could be. 

Every day brings new choices. Every. Single. Day.

Maybe today’s the day we admit we’ve been making poor choices and we make a new, better choice. Or maybe today’s the day we say, “Yes, I’ve been making good choices, but I wonder what would happen if I made an even better one?” And we’re brave enough to choose something new . . . something bigger, better, bolder — just for today. Don’t worry about tomorrow.

Just for today, make a choice.

In Others’ Words: When have you made a choice and changed things — your perspective, your life —  for a day (or longer)?

In Others\’ Words: New Day, New Choices http://wp.me/p63waO-2iM #InOthersWords #quotes #choices

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\”Each day brings new choices.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2iM @MarthaBeck #quotes #choices

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In Others’ Words: Can You See Me Now?

One of my favorite parts to write in every book I publish is the Acknowledgments section. Yes, it’s always at the end of the book, but it’s so important to me that I often start thinking about it before I’m finished with my first draft.

The Acknowledgments section is where I’m able to thank everyone who has helped me take an idea and turn it into a “real” book. My family, my mentors, my agent, my preferred readers, my Dream Team . . . it’s a writer’s way of saying thank you. Of telling readers “these people made a difference in my life while I wrote this book.”

Stephen Covey was so, so right when he said, “The deepest desire of the human spirit is to be acknowledged.” We like to know that we matter — that we make a difference in this world. That we’re important to someone else. Of course, we don’t always get a mention in the Acknowledgments at the back of a book. But maybe someone sends you a handwritten note or an email or gives you a hug with a whispered, “Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without you.” 

We’ve been seen. We’ve been recognized. 

Of course, we didn’t do or say what we did for recognition . . . but still, being valued gives us a sense of worth that affirms our actions. I’m not talking about feeding our ego. No. I’m talking about someone taking the time to see you for who you are — to appreciate you. Or let’s flip this scenario and remind ourselves that others like to be acknowledged for who they are. It’s just as important to be the acknowledger as it is to be the acknowledged.

In Others’ Words: When has someone seen you and acknowledged you? When was the last time you valued someone for who they were? 

In Others\’ Words: Can You See Me Now? http://wp.me/p63waO-2iF #InOthersWords #quote #significance

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\”The greatest desire of the human spirit is to be acknowledged.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2iF #quotes #StephenCovey #relationships

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In Others’ Words: Closing the Distance

Last night I went browsing for a quote for today’s blog post. Searched my quote books. Searched my files. Searched online. Searched my Evernote Quote notebook. I skimmed all sorts of quotes. It wasn’t that I didn’t have a lot of quotes to choose from, it was just none of them were “pinging.”

And then I found these words by Victor Borge and I stopped all the skimming and mulling.

“Laughter is the closest distance between two people.” 

How true is that? Isn’t it wonderful how laughter can bridge silence? How laughter can break down the walls of uncomfortableness created by “I don’t know you” and help strangers become friends? When my husband and I are in the middle of a (ahem!) “discussion,” if we can find a reason to laugh, the distance between us created by the whole insistence of who’s right and who’s wrong disappears. We can laugh together — not at one another — and find common ground again.

I thought it’d be fun to share just a bit of Victor Borge’s sense of humor with you all today. He had his own distinctive way of closing the distance between people. Enjoy!

 

 

In Your Words: How has laughter helped bridge the distance between you and someone else? Who’s your go-to comedian?

In Others\’ Words: Closing the Distance http://wp.me/p63waO-2iv #InOthersWords #quotes #laughter

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\”Laughter is the closest distance between two people.\”http://wp.me/p63waO-2iv #VictorBorge #quotes #laughter

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In Others’ Words: How Far are You Going?

Fear has motivated me to do things. Fear of losing someone I care about or of losing their approval — has caused me to do and say certain things. Sometimes I’ve even chosen to violate my personal values in the hopes of satisfying someone else’s expectations.

That’s an ugly truth, but I strive to be honest with you all on this blog.

The desire to overcome fear has pushed me to do things, too. Ask my kiddos about the time I said, “Let’s go! Everybody on the waterslide!” And I was the first one to the top of that ridiculously tall waterslide because I wasn’t going to let fear stop me from having fun with with my children. Only once I was at the top, waiting for my turn to slide down, I kept thinking, “So, when does the fun start?”

But love? Love has indeed taken me further than fear ever has. More often than not, fear has held me back with thoughts of “I can’t” or “I shouldn’t.” Love, however, always offers hope and the promise of more. That I can be more. That I am already enough. And love also challenges me to offer more to others.

Choosing love allows us to live courageously. And courage, well, courage will take you further than you ever imagined.

 

 

In Your Words: Where has fear taken you? Where has love taken you?

 

 

In Others\’ Words: How Far are You Going? http://wp.me/p63waO-2ij #InOthersWords #lovecourageously #quotes

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In Others’ Words: Beneficial Opposition

 

I’m not the best when it comes to flying kites. 

The whole process of running and releasing a kite up into the air behind me? It’s just a bit beyond me. I want to look ahead of me and make certain I don’t run into something, or that I don’t trip and fall. At the same time, I want to look back over my shoulder and see if my efforts are successful. Has the kite taken flight?

But I do understand you can only fly a kite on windy days. Calm days? Leave the kite in the garage, right? When conditions are right for kite flying, i.e. it’s windy, there’s a certain amount of time when the wind and the kite are in opposition. The kite and the wind fight against one another so the kite struggles to become airborne. And then, in an instant, the wind lifts the kite up, higher and higher. It’s as if the kite and the wind are in agreement with one another.

How often do we pray for easy days? No opposition to our goals? Our dreams? Maybe we should pray for the ability to be like kites. To realize the things or the people opposing us can ultimately push us higher and farther than we ever imagined. if we keep trying — if we lean into the “wind” of disapproval or resistance or struggle — we can soar past whatever is holding us back.

In Your Words: When has opposition helped you rise and achieve your goals?

In Others\’ Words: Beneficial Opposition http://wp.me/p63waO-2i8 #InOthersWords #quotes #belikeakite

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\”A certain amount of #opposition is a great help to a man. Kites rise against, not with, the wind.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2i8 #quote

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In Others’ Words: The Honest Truth

Which would you choose: acceptance achieved by pretense or rejection caused by honesty?

Living honestly? It’s risky business.

Wear a mask and be well-liked. Conform to the expected behaviors and earn a pat on the back . . . a place at the table . . . a “welcome to the family” — whatever equals acceptance for you.

Or replace the sanctified lie with the unvarnished truth and get ignored . . . mocked . . . thrown out the door right before it’s slammed in your face.

Sometimes living honestly means the only one left to hear the truth you’re speaking is you. But that doesn’t mean you’re wrong. It just means it’s time to go searching for others who love honesty and live honestly, too.

In Others’ Words: I’ll end today’s post the way I started it. Which would you choose: acceptance achieved by pretense or rejection caused by honesty?

 

Today’s quote is from my friend Cynthia Ruchti’s novel, When the Morning Glory Blooms. Cynthia is a gifted writer and this book is beautifully–and honestly–written.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Others’ Words: The Honest Truth https://ctt.ec/QUETy+ #InOthersWords #livinghonestly #quotes @bethvogt

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“We all must risk rejection in order to live honestly.” #quote @cynthiaruchti #livinghonestly @bethvogt

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