Chicken Soup for the Recovering Soul Daily Inspirations (Chicken Soup for the Soul) (5 page)
Read Chicken Soup for the Recovering Soul Daily Inspirations (Chicken Soup for the Soul) Online
Authors: Jack Canfield,Mark Victor Hansen,Peter Vegso,Gary Seidler,Theresa Peluso,Tian Dayton,Rokelle Lerner,Robert Ackerman
Rev. Bob Lew
Love truth, but pardon error.
Voltaire
Footnotes for Life
W
ill you please accept the help we’re offering?
This was the question asked by each of Ruth’s family members assembled for the intervention. Ruth’s family not only loved her, they revered her. She had a great capacity to give and a way ofmaking people forget their troubles. She was everyone’s ray of sunshine. She drank infrequently, but after her husband’s heart attack, the binges became more frequent and more dangerous. Ruth looked around the room at her family and through tears, with a small smile the seventy-three-year-old grandmother said, “Yes, I’ll accept your help today.”
Debra Jay
In spite of warnings, nothing much happens until the status quo becomes more painful than change.
Laurence J. Peter
Footnotes for Life
T
he problem with using a crutch–alcohol, drugs, food, gambling–to numb our emotional pain is that in the end we come to rely on it instead of on our own inner strength. We learn to lie quite persuasively: “I don’t need to drink. I just like the taste.” “These pills have caffeine in them. It’s like drinking coffee”; “I work hard for my money. I deserve to gamble if it relaxes me.”
It becomes easier and easier to convince ourselves that our problems are under control. Eventually, when there are serious consequences and the crutch is no longer available, the only way to regain our health and to remain well is to acknowledge the truth.
Kay Conner Pliszka
This above all: to thine own self be true.
William Shakespeare
Footnotes for Life
S
ometimes I find myself living life like a prison sentence–just doing time, trying to stay out of trouble, filling my days with activities and thoughts just for something to do. On those days I have forgotten how it feels to wonder about life; to wonder why we are here, to wonder where we might be going, to wonder how I might contribute. Today I will be curious. I will carry questions in my pockets:
What matters most? What can I do to express my gratitude? What can I do for someone I love–or maybe a complete stranger? I want more than a good day in prison. I want a wonder-full life.
Thom Rutledge
Who we are, the kind of people we will be, individually and collectively, is ultimately determined by one thing: how we relate to fear.
Thom Rutledge
Footnotes for Life
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orry is rehearsing calamity, meditating on the worst thing that can happen. Worry is a joy stealer and a time robber. Worry sets a tone of unrest to those around you, causing misery to everyone. What is the antidote to worry? Count your blessings. Live one day at a time. Break the habit of negative self-talk.
Take the energy you use in worrying and replace it with overwhelming positive thoughts. See yourself worry free with God’s help and then be successful, prosperous and victorious.
Joan Clayton
Being happy today takes care of tomorrow.
Joan Clayton
Footnotes for Life
C
hange is generally regarded as positive, but it can be destructive as well. When running toward change, ask yourself, “From what am I running?” Are you leaving behind a family, a job, a reputation or troubles that are overwhelming? Change may bring relief and a fresh start but finding happiness and success right where you are may be more challenging and enduring.
Elaine Young McGuire
Change is an easy panacea. It takes character to stay in one place and be happy there.
Elizabeth Clarke Dunn
Footnotes for Life
A
t times in the past, my love had been hidden, blocked off by impenetrable clouds. No light or love came through. These clouds prevented me from seeing the love within me and the love within someone else. In my family the love we felt for each other often got cloudy with broken promises, fear, anger and confusion. But today, the confusion, anger and fear are gone. I no longer dwell on past broken promises, instead I let my love shine forth and share my gifts with others.
Rokelle Lerner
Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly.
Susan Polis Schutz
Footnotes for Life
A
licia was referred to me hoping I might solve the mystery. She was writing poetry with hints of suicide and showing signs of extreme anxiety.Her parents insisted nothing was wrong and refused professional counseling forher. Fortunately, the door tomyhighschool student assistance office was always open. After many weeks Alicia slowly began confiding a lifetime of sexual abuse–from her grandfather and father. Those revelations began a difficult process for Alicia but with her secrets and pain no longer hidden, she faced the truth. It is never too late to begin healing and as Alicia discovered, help can be just down the hall.