Beth K. Vogt's Blog, page 49

In Others’ Words: The best that is in every day

Some days are tougher than others.

Some days are disappointng.

Some days seem unending.

Some days are heart-wrenching.

And yet … is it possible to somehow, someway, discover good in those tough, disappointing, unending, heart-wrenching days?

If we choose to look for the best — yes. If we choose, as Emerson says, to “write it on your heart that every day is the best day,” then that inscription guides our hearts and minds.

What kind of best can we look for?

The best in others. The best in ourselves. The best around us. The best waiting for us in the future.The best that we’ve been blessed with in the past — and then we pull those memories forward to today and trust with all our hearts that today can be, will be, and is the best day of the year.

In Your Words: What have you written in your heart already about today? How are you going to rewrite today so that it ends up being the best day of the year so far?

In Others’ Words: The Best That is in Every Dary #InOthersWords #LifeQuotes #Choices
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” … write it on your heart that every day is the best day … ” #lifequote #RalphWaldoEmerson
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Please help me spread the news about Crazy Little Thing Called Love! I promise it’s easy to do with BookGrabbr, where there are 4 FREE chapters uploaded for readers! 

 

Click here for the link. 

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Thanks so much for helping spread the word about my latest novel!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Others’ Words: Who Do You Show Up For?

So here’s the question: Who do you show up for?

Another question: How do you show up for the people you love?

One more question for today: Who taught you the importance of showing up?

And that’s all  I’ve got for today. As my friend, Mary, said this morning when I told her I’d pushed SEND on my manuscript: “You can’t brain today.”

Yeah. Exactly so.

In Your Words: It’s all about showing up — who, how, and who again. I’d love for you to join the conversation.

Who do you show up for? #InOthersWords #lifequotes #relationships
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” … life is all about … showing up for the people you love … ” #life #love #relationships
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In Others’ Words: The purpose of defeat and victory

We’re gearing up for volleyball season in the Vogt household — and the season lasts a long, long time. There’s the school volleyball season, which runs right into the club volleyball season … and that ends about the same time as the school year ends.

Yeah. And then this summer? You got it. More volleyball.

I’ve learned so much watching my daughter compete. About winning and losing … and choosing how you respond to both. My daughter plays to win. Who doesn’t? But in the losses … oh, how the glory of what she believes, who she chooses to be, comes out.

My daughter makes her own choices on the court, before, during, and after a match. She’s anchored  to her faith and was born with a resiliancy that amazes me — and that I try hard to mirror. Yes, yes, we can learn from our children.

In Your Words: We’ve talked of victory and defeat before — and I know at least one member of this community who stares down defeat on a daily basis. (Right, Andrew?) But there are those times when defeat shakes the soul … and glory — hope, determination, a deeper understanding of yourself, or of God — comes out. When has that happened for you?

In Others’ Words: The Purpose of Defeat and Victory #InOthersWords #lifequotes #perspective
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The moments when defeat serves as well as victory #competition #perspective #change
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In Others’ Words: What Gets Left Along the Wayside

Life is about perspective — how certain experiences clear your vision, as well what other people share with you, thanks to their own learning experiences.

In my life, Julie Andrew’s truth of “Unfortunately something always has to go by the wayside” translates into “You can’t do it all.” 

I’ve watched other people juggle multiple major tasks — and I used to feel less than. I’d walk away and struggle to do more. And I’d fail. The truth is, I am not a good juggler. I’ve learned by trial and error — lots of error — that I can do one thing well at a time. And I’ve learned to be okay with that. I know who I am. I know what I can do. And I let the other stuff go by the wayside because I can’t do it all at the same time. Sometimes — most of the time — saying no is the wisest thing I can do.

I would rather do one thing well than pretend to do a lot of things well — and fail.

I’ve learned to let others be who they are — amazing seamstresses, quilters, gourmet cooks — while I discover who I am. And I’m letting me be me — and letting the nonessential stuff go by the wayside. Maybe, it’s not unfortunate that something always has to go by the wayside. Maybe it’s best to let things go … and be who we are meant to be, doing the things we are meant to do.

In Your Words: As you’ve gained a clear perspective of who you are, what have you left along the wayside? 

In Others’ Words: What Gets Left Along the Wayside #InOthersWords #lifequotes #perspective
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“Unfortunately something always has to go by the wayside.” #lifequotes #JulieAndrews #perspective
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In Others’ Words: Realizing the Glass is Refillable

 

Y’all know I’ve switched sides several times on the glass half empty vs. glass half full debate.

I’ve gone from seeing the glass half empty to seeing the glass half full. Then I embraced a friend’s comment: There’s always something in the glass.

Loved that perspective. Still do.

But today I’m believing the truth that the glass is always refillable. 

Sometimes I get worn out. Sometimes I don’t have enough energy for the day. Sometimes it’s all just too much.

And it’s not always illness or too many demands or disappointments that tip my glass over and drain it. I can be poured out by good things too. Deadlines, a.k.a. “living the dream. Or celebrations. Yes, there can be too much of a good thing.

At times like these — both the good and the bad — I need to remind myself to stop and refill my glass.

With rest. With quiet. With family and friends. With walks outside. Good music. Times where I listen and times when I am heard. And moments when I refill someone else’s glass.

In Your Words: Is your glass half empty, half full … or does it need to be refilled? How will you refresh your perspective today?

In Others’ Words: When the Glass is Refillable #inotherswords #lifequotes #perspective
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How will you refresh your perspective today? #refilltheglass #perspective #quotes
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Thank you to everyone who entered the Beach Read Giveaway celebrating the release of Crazy Little Thing Called Love! The winner of the giveaway is:

Pamela McKenzie!

Stay tuned for an email from Casey, my VA, for information about how to collect your prize!

In Others’ Words: What Laughter Can Do

I was in New York City this time last week, attending the annual Romance Writers of America (RWA) conference. It was quite the gathering, with something like 2500 attendees … workshops … and lots of networking opportunities.One memory that lingers: The “smart” elevators. You punched the floor that you wanted to go to into a main console. You were then directed to the appropriate elevator (by letter, such as A, B, C, etc.), and then you waited. And waited. And waited. Yeah, the RWA crowd overloaded the elevators.

A truly favorite memory: Going to see the Broadway musical Les Misérables with my husband. The production was superb. Music … staging … and the message of grace versus law … so beautiful.

Today’s quote comes from Les Misérables — the book, not the stage production. There’s such sadness and loss in Les Mis, but hope is also woven through the story too. A desire to discover beauty and a reason to live even when you are staring down heartache. Victor Hugo valued laughter … he understood that laughter changes us — not just externally, but internally.

As Hugo puts it, laughter is sunshine. I believe laughter is also the sound of hope.

In Your Words: How would you fill in this sentence: Laughter is ___________________.  

In Others’ Words: What Laughter Can Do #InOthersWords #lifequotes #VictorHugo
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“Laughter is sunshine, it chases winter from the human face.” #quotes #VictorHugo #LesMis
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ONLY TWO MORE DAYS TO ENTER THE BEACH BAG GIVEAWAY!!

My novel, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, has hit the bookshelves! I’m celebrating with a Beach Bag Giveaway. Enter to win lots of fun stuff worh $200, including:

a Nikon CoolPix Camera

a Lands’ End canvas bag

2 beach towels

a Contigo water bottle

a copy of Crazy Little Thing Called Love

a copy of Somebody Like You

Only 2 days left to enter @bethvogt’s #beachread #giveaway worth $200! http://bit.ly/1JtPxpn…
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In Others’ Words: You Take Care Now

It’s almost impossible to get through the day without being told at least one way to take care of yourself. 

Eat more fruits and veggies.
Drink more water.
Exercise more.
Sleep more.
Work smarter.
Be kinder.
Watch less TV.

You could probably make your own list of ways you are taking care of yourself — or ways you want to take care of yourself.

The question is why? Why are we doing all of this? 

To live longer? To be healthier? To be smarter? Thinner? Prettier? What’s the point of all this taking care of ourselves?

Today’s quote turns all this trying and doing and caring on it’s head … challenging me that caring about myself isn’t about me.

I had to stop and think about that for a long, long, long minute or two. Because taking care of me so often is all about me. I want to be happier. I want to be more content. I want to look at myself in the mirror and like who I see, be proud of who I am, of what I’ve accomplished.

And there’s nothing wrong with that.

But what if  …. what if we reach for a larger goal? What if we make it our goal to take care of ourselves so that we can love God more. Love others better. Love ourselves for who we are … and who we are becoming.

In Your Words: What do you think of when you see the words: Take care of yourself? How has today’s quote changed your idea of taking care of yourself? What would help you love God more? Love others better? Love yourself for who you are … and who you are becoming?

In Others’ Words: You Take Care Now #InOthersWords #lifequotes #love
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Why are you taking care of yourself? #lifequotes #HolleyGerth #love
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My novel, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, has hit the bookshelves! I’m celebrating with a Beach Bag Giveaway. Enter to win lots of fun stuff worh $200, including:

a Nikon CoolPix Camera

a Lands’ End canvas bag

2 beach towels

a Contigo water bottle

a copy of Crazy Little Thing Called Love

a copy of Somebody Like You

Celebrate @bethvogt’s new release Crazy Little Thing Called Love! Enter the #beachread #giveaway…
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In Others’ Words: Identifying Your Life Theme

With apologies to you, my friends, for not posting a blog on Tuesday …

I flew to New York for RWA (Romance Writers of America) — a ginormous writers conference. In all the madness to get ready and get on the plane, I just forgot to post a blog. That’s it. I forgot. Several of you sent, “Are you okay” emails. I am okay … just in NYC — and slightly embarrassed. And overwhelmed, in a good way, with all the sights and sounds … and I’m having fun. (I played “tourist” and was at the Today show on Wednesday morning by 7 AM with some friends, holding a hastily scrawled banner that said, “Hello, Colorado! #RWA15.)

Anyway …

Tuesday night I went to dinner with two writer friends and we talked writing (surprise!). One topic we discussed? Themes. 

Specifically, we talked about what kind of themes show up in our books. You can usually nail a theme with one word:

forgiveness
regrets
estrangement
second chances (two words, I know)
perfectionism
expectations

And the list goes on.

I always determine the themes of any book I write — yes, there can be more than one — and then settle on the central theme. The central theme is the one my main characters are going to wrestle with through  the book.

And then I I ran across today’s quote about having a life theme … and I loved it.

Our lives develop themes. Not just one … several. And those themes can chang during different seasons of our life too. God works in our life and molds us, reshapes us — maybe breaks us — and reshapes us to teach us new things.

Different life themes for me?

honesty
boundaries
reconciliation
healing
courage
relationships

If I had to choose one central theme in my life, I would select: mistakes. How God works through the mistakes we make. How God uses us, in spite of the mistakes we make. How mistakes don’t define us. How mistakes aren’t necessarily the end … but sometimes the beginning.

In Your Words: What would you list as your life themes? What would you choose as the central theme of your life?

 

In Others’ Words: Identifying Your Life Theme #InOthersWords #lifequotes #theme
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What is the #theme of your life? #livingoutloud #writer
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My novel, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, has hit the bookshelves! I’m celebrating with a Beach Bag Giveaway. Enter to win lots of fun stuff worh $200, including:

a Nikon CoolPix Camera

a Lands’ End canvas bag

2 beach towels

a Contigo water bottle

a copy of Crazy Little Thing Called Love

a copy of Somebody Like You

Celebrate @bethvogt’s new release Crazy Little Thing Called Love! Enter the #beachread #giveaway…
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In Others’ Words: When God says “Go”

When we moved to Colorado, our friend, Tony hugged me and my husband and said, “I’m going with people who are going with God — and you two are going with God.”

At the time, Tony was more excited about our move than I was.

Why?

Because Tony was looking ahead — at where God was leading us.

I was looking at where I was, where I wanted to stay — and I wasn’t ready to imagine what God might have waiting for us in Colorado.

There was no choosing to stay — not with Uncle Sam issuing orders for a move. But that’s not to say God wasn’t in the uprooting of our family.

Life is about motion. Forward. Sometimes backward. Wait, wait, wait. And then moving again, sometimes in slow motion. But no matter where you are going — or where you are waiting to go, or where you are resisting going to — the question always is: Where is God leading you? 

God is all about leading people from where they are to where he wants them to be. Think Abraham. Moses. A bunch of fisherman who were called to follow Jesus away from their familiar shores.

To go with God they couldn’t stay where they were. They had to leave … let the familiar go … and move on.

This life of faith is uncomfortable. Unsettling.

But we never travel alone. Remember, it’s all about “going with God.”

In Your Words: When has God asked you to go with him someplace unexpected? What — and who — have you found waiting for you? 

In Others’ Words: When God says “Go” #InOthersWords #lifequotes #faith
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“You can’t go with God and stay where you are.” #lifeqotes #HenryBlackaby
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My novel, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, has hit the bookshelves! I’m celebrating with a Beach Bag Giveaway. Enter to win lots of fun stuff worh $200, including:

a Nikon CoolPix Camera

a Lands’ End canvas bag

2 beach towels

a Contigo water bottle

a copy of Crazy Little Thing Called Love

a copy of Somebody Like You

Celebrate @bethvogt’s new release Crazy Little Thing Called Love! Enter the #beachread #giveaway…
Click To Tweet

In Others’ Words: Avoiding the Debris of Life

Snags and debris. We’re not going to make it through life without running it to one or the other … or both. 

Snags are impediments to progress … irritants, interferences, interruptions … we want to go one way and they push and prod us another, holding us back from our goals.

But debris … that’s another kind of danger that can weigh you down, pull you under, and drown you.

Snags can leave marks — a scratch here, a bruise there. Debris, however, can be lethal. Emotional debris like guilt … regret … shame … fear … they pile up on us and dishearten us. 

Best to heed Anne Shannon Monroe’s words and “Pull yourself loose and go on.” 

How?

Ask for help from someone standing on firm ground — someone who sees the truth you’ve lost sight of. 
Recognize the debris for what it is: garbage. Nothing more, nothing less. 
Regain your focus. Realize you are stuck — remember where you’re headed — and start moving again. 

In Your Words: What snags have you run into recently? How do you avoid debris that stops the forward motion in your life? 

In Others’ Words: Avoiding the Debris of Life #InOthersWords #lifequotes #perseverance
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3 Steps to Avoid the Debris of Life #lifequotes #encouragement #hope
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My novel, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, has hit the bookshelves! I’m celebrating with a Beach Bag Giveaway. Enter to win lots of fun stuff worh $200, including:

a Nikon CoolPix Camera

a Lands’ End canvas bag

2 beach towels

a Contigo water bottle

a copy of Crazy Little Thing Called Love

a copy of Somebody Like You

Celebrate @bethvogt’s new release Crazy Little Thing Called Love! Enter the #beachread #giveaway…
Click To Tweet