In My Words: One Word

Most of my friends know that I don't do New Year's Resolutions. Over the years, I've lost too many long lists of good intentions before the end of January.
Instead, I focus on a word--one word--for the year. I've found that it's fairly easy to keep track of one word for 365 days.
My word for 2011 is hope.
I like to have visual reminders of my word for the year. So, I've got a little silver "hope" dangling off my desk lamp. And another "hope" looped over my rear view mirror in my car. My husband tucked an insulated mug labeled with the word "hope" in my Christmas stocking, along with a little wooden plaque that reads: "The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him." (Lamentations 3:25) I keep it on the kitchen counter so I see it often.

With 140 days gone in 2011, I've had reasons to cling to hope. Reasons to offer hope to people I care about. I'm sticking with my word choice.
What about you? Did you make any resolutions way-back in January? How's that going for you? Want to trade in that list--if you can still find it--for a word? And if you can't find your list of resolutions, stop looking. Instead, pick a word.
Just one word.

In My Words: Inspiration

                 Try not to become a man of success but a man of value. ~Albert Einstein

Who do you value in your life? Who inspires you to be a better person? Maybe this person isn't the most successful person you know as the world would term success--money, fame, lots of stuff. 

I am blessed to have four children and I have to say they all inspire me. I can't believe that I get to introduce these talented, kind people as my kids. I could go on and on about all of them, but since I try to keep these post brief, I won't.

Today I will turn the spotlight on my daughter Amy.

She inspires me. 

Why?

Because Amy is one of the most courageous people I know. When I was her age, fear was a constant companion of mine. Amy turns 23 in a few weeks. She's traveled to Guatemala (and lots of other places) and lived in Nicaragua for nine months. She looks past labels and sees people for who they are. I've said this to her more than once: I wish I had been more like my daughter when I was 22.

In My Words: The End

The end of the story.
I've been trying to land the first chapter of my work in progress (WIP) for several weeks now. Yes, weeks. And I know with the help of my trustworthy and oh-so-wise mentors and my longsuffering critique partners, I will write a first chapter that sings.
I already know how the story ends. This doesn't mean that writing the end of the story will be easy. Knowing how the story ends and writing it well are two completely different things.

Today is Good Friday. This day, more than any other day of the year, reminds me that sometimes what we think is the end of the story, isn't. Sometimes we think, "The end." And then God steps in and says, "Not yet. Wait a day. Or three. You're going to be surprised."

Pastel by my daughter, Christa Vogt

In My Words: Story

One rule all fiction writers learn? Show, don't tell.
For you non-writers out there, "Show, don't tell" translates to describing what's happening in such a way that readers are drawn into the story. Don't say, "Angie felt sad." Show the reader how Angie is feeling by describing what she looks like, how she acts and interacts with other story characters.
But does the "Show, don't tell" rule translate over into real life?
I think so.
Have you ever had someone tell you one thing--but their actions, their facial expressions tell you something entirely different? Your friend isn't outright lying to you, she's just not revealing how she's truly feeling.Or maybe she is--if you pay closer attention to her actions than to her words.
Have you ever wondered what your actions reveal about you? If you had a volume control somewhere on your body (and why hasn't this been invented for small children?) and it was turned off for the day--what would your actions show about you?

In My Words: Illustrate

If you were an artist, how would you illustrate your life? Would you use watercolors or pastels? Oils or charcoals? Would you sketch a self portrait or a still life or something abstract? Would you select vivid colors or stick with your basic black and white?

As a writer, I'm used to working with words . . . to painting word pictures.I'm not quite certain how I'd illustrate my life if handed a paint brush or a fist full of colored pencils.

But I think I might start with my hands . . .

In My Words: Life

This post was inspired by a friend's blog post. Gloria blogs over at Change the World. One thing's for sure: Knowing Gloria has changed my world, my life. Gloria makes me think. Makes me act on what I believe.

This video blog was prompted by Gloria's post "How to face the challenge before you." In it she states:

Face what lies before you this way:

Approach the problem like you are totally and completely loved.

Whether it is a plan to lose weight or to change your vocation, whether it is to find a mate or relinquish someone you loved and trusted, shape your strategy as a person who thinks and acts out of a secure place of knowing they are completely and unconditionally loved.

Because you are.

And any other approach will be flawed.

I hope you take time to watch the video. Ponder the question.

But, most of all, remember that you are loved.

In My Words: Laughter

Laughter is my favorite sound.

What makes you laugh?