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Inspiration August 28, 2017
Sometimes it helps knowing you're not alone.
Photo via Instagram/editanainggolan39The “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books have always known to be the cure to any problem or dilemma. If you need any sort of advice or inspiration, turn to these books.
But how knew that a book of stories about other people’s lives could help you get through your own worries? Even the founders, Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, didn’t realize that putting inspiring stories in a book could help people.
But it was a huge success.
And you know what else? Their story is just as motivating as the stories in their books. Here’s how the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books begin?
People had always told Canfield and Hansen motivating stories about themselves. Actually, the founders were also motivational speakers who often included these stories in their talks. And because their audiences would repeatedly ask them if the stories were in a book somewhere, this gave the two an idea.
They decided to compile their stories into a book and title it “Chicken Soup for the Soul” because they wanted it to be comforting like their grandmother’s cooking.
Then, they took the book to New York and pitched it to major publishers but were turned down by every publisher. Then, they met Peter Vegso, the owner of a small health and wellness publishing company in Florida named HCI. He decided to give the book a chance and became the book’s founding publisher.
With over 250 published books, Canfield and Hansen never expected the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books to become what they are now.
Since the first set of published books, these books have helped millions of people.
And if you’re looking for a quick pick me up but can’t get your hands on one of their books, here are some “Chicken Soup for the Soul” stories to help you get through the day.
“You guys really had a good day? You’re not disappointed that we didn’t do something fun?” I asked.
Austin shrugged and said, “Life is only as fun as you make it, Mom.”
I nodded, realizing how right he was. Happiness is far more about our attitude than our circumstances.”
In this story, a mother talks about how she had to find a way to entertain her kids on their day off from school even though she also had to go grocery shopping, clean the house and finish her work.
So, she let her kids use their imagination to have fun while she ran all her errands. They painted her toes while she worked on her laptop, fixed their own unhealthy lunch and played pretend grocery shopping with coupons they collected when they actually went grocery shopping.
At the end of the story, the mom is surprised the kids had a fun day despite not doing anything special. This story reinforces the idea that happiness doesn’t come from special trips and money. Rather, it comes from what you make out of your own life.
Happiness really is about finding joy in the little things.
“Children’s imaginations are endless. Our children have been so conditioned to having constant technology at their fingertips, families have forgotten how to have fun together. Yes, we could choose to worry and stress, but the bottom line is that we have each other.”
This story is about a family who made the most of what little they have. The parents told their children from a young age about their money troubles, especially the bills they had to pay for.
Instead of getting mad, the kids were understanding. They learned to make do with what they had. Instead of going out to the movies, they had movie nights at home by recording movies on their TiVo. Cardboard boxes became toys. The children also learned that family is more important than money.
At the end of the day, it’s not about what you have, but who you have.
“My priorities began to shift. I stopped thinking of what I didn’t have and began to think more of what I did. At the same time, I looked around and realized that others were suffering as well. I took time to send notes to friends and church members who needed an extra dose of love. I prayed more and complained less. I counted my blessings.”
This story is about a couple that went weeks without a paycheck because of the economic crisis. The husband owned a small engineering company and always made sure his employees were paid before he was. The wife, on the other hand, was part of an online community that allowed people to donate their unwanted items to anyone who needed it.
One day, she was able to receive groceries after weeks of budgeting. This made her realize she needed to appreciate everything she had instead of worrying about what she didn’t. After two months of not receiving a paycheck, the couple found a check in the mail that came from a customer who owed them money. Just in time, too.
This story illustrates the idea that worrying doesn’t get you anywhere. Count your blessings, and good things will eventually come your way.
No matter what you’re going through, other people’s inspiring stories can help you realize that it always gets better and you’re not alone. So, we hope these stories helped you through whatever tough time you may be dealing with.
And if you’d like to share your own story, please comment below.
