Meeting God At Thirty
I did some dumb things in junior high school. I think it just comes with the territory. But one particularly dumb thing involved a theft. I didn’t steal money or shoplift and I didn’t take anyone’s boyfriend. I simply stole a few votes.
The scene of the crime was journalism class, where those of us on the yearbook staff sat counting ballots for the school superlatives contest. Suddenly someone yelled out, “Caron! It looks like you may get enough votes to win, ‘Most Talented.’ “
Until that moment, I had been the epitome of average. Winning a category in the superlatives contest would skyrocket my approval rating at Glenridge Junior High. I was eking out a social existence because my friends had friends who were cool. Like a mere feeder fish, I hovered close to the big fish in hopes of sucking some algae off them.
But, I soon found out that I was not the only one up for Most Talented. Trailing close behind me was Cindy, our school’s guitar-playing singer. Cindy had real talent. She was even asked to sing her original song, “Beauty,” at a school assembly. My only claim to fame was the pen-and-ink drawings I did on notebooks and book covers. Hardly a class went by that I didn’t get at least one request for ” Judy & Johnny 4-Ever,” or ” S. M. loves T. P.”
So, while votes were being tallied for other categories, I secretly grabbed a handful of uncounted ballots and tossed them in the trash. I was pretty sure no one saw me. I should have felt guilty, but I didn’t.
Me: Which time?
The History Of Chicken Soup For The Soul
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 grandmothers 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 books 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 youre looking for a quick pick me up but cant get your hands on one of their books, here are some Chicken Soup for the Soul stories to help you get through the day.
Find Happiness In The Little Things
You guys really had a good day? Youre not disappointed that we didnt 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 doesnt 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.
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The Ring I Really Want
The manner of giving shows the character of the giver, more than the gift itself.
John Casper Lavater
Oh, I love your diamond,
Janet said admiringly as we served lunch to the children in the school gym. Its beautiful.
I said, and then I confessed. Its not real its just a cubic zirconia.
Her eyes widened. Wow. I would never have guessed.
I have always had a passion for collecting fine jewelry, but I also own a few quality fake pieces, which generally fool everyone. Janet eyed my large sparkling ring. Ive never owned anything like that,
she sighed, looking down at the plain thin wedding band on her hand.
We finished serving the children their Thanksgiving turkey lunch, but Janets words stayed with me. I knew she and her husband could not afford even the small luxuries of life they are a Christian family who lives down the street with four boys, and they work hard to make ends meet.
The next morning I put the ring in its little blue velvet box, wrapped it up in tissue paper and walked down the street to Janets house, my heart pounding. Shell think Im crazy, I thought. What kind of neighbor gives someone a 14-carat gold ring? I dont even know her that well.
I felt like turning around and going home but forced myself to climb the steps to Janets house. I knocked quietly on the door. No one answered. I stood on her porch, waiting uncomfortably. Knock again, Gods spirit prompted. Reluctantly I knocked again. No one answered.
She looked astounded.
I protested.
Understanding The Spirituality Of Jack Canfield:
Every religion Ive looked at has some technology Ive studied all of them and found what works for me and Ive tried to make it available to others. What works for me is a combination of disciplines: I do yoga, tai chi which is a Chinese martial art and three kinds of meditation-vipasana, transcendental and mantra meditation. If you have to pick a yoga for me, I lean towards bhakii in the sense of devotion, adoration, singing, feeling love and joy exist in my heart.-Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul, from Choosing to Be Happy
Jack Canfield, one of the top promoters of The Secret, is known by many people as the creator of The Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Millions of books have been sold, and even many Christians have bought the books. Thats easy to tell just by looking at some of the titles in the series:
Chicken Soup for the Christian SoulChicken Soup for the Gospel Soul Chicken Soup for the Christian Teenage SoulChicken Soup for the Christian Soul IIChicken Soup for the Christian Womens SoulChicken Soup for the Christian Family Soul
For more information on Chicken Soup for the Soul,
For all our articles on The Secret,
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How To Submit Your Story
Welcome to the Chicken Soup for the Soul submission form. We’re excited you’re here, and we look forward to reading your work. We welcome your stories and poems, written in English, from all over the world. We are always looking for new talent, so donât be shy!
If this is your first time visiting us, please visit our Story Guidelines page, which will answer many of your questions about subject matter, length, and style. Following our guidelines will give you the best possible chance of being accepted.
For a list of our new topics, complete with descriptions and deadlines, please visit our Possible Book Topics page.
Please complete all fields in the form below. If you live outside the United States please fill in the parts of the form that pertain to you and where you live. Even if you are a past contributor and we have your information on file for a past book, we need your complete information again. If you have changed your contact information and you have a submission still outstanding for a book that is in process, please let us know your new information and the book you submitted for by alerting our .
MORE CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL
Great Book Lovely Stories All Where Truly Great
- 4.5 out of 5 stars 62
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When our loved ones leave this world, our connection with them does not end and we often receive signs from the other side. These true and touching stories of will amaze and support all readers – religious or secular. The 101 true and miraculous stories in this book of signs and messages from beyond show that death may take away the physical presence of our loved ones, but not their spirit. This book is for everyone, religious or secular, as regular people share their amazing experiences with the other side.
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Chicken Soup For The Christian Woman’s Soul: Stories To Open The Heart And Rekindle The Spirit
Christian women who make God and family a priority in their life will love Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman’s Soul, an affirming collection of stories that share the miracles that are possible when their hearts are open to God.
This wonderful new addition is filled with compelling real-life accounts of how women from all denominations were buoyed by their faith during incredibly challenging circumstances: amazing women who maintained faith in God’s divine plan instead of succumbing to fear and doubt caring women who offered compassion instead of criticism when others needed help and dedicated women who chose the righteous path when there was an easier one to take.
With chapters on God’s Healing Power, Friendship, Making a Difference, Challenges, A Matter of Perspective, Miracles, Insights and Lessons and The Love of a Family, this faith-filled collection will encourage Christian women to follow Jesus’ example on their walk through life.
Like a favorite passage from Scripture, this book will offer hope, support and inspiration to Christian women.
“synopsis” may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, the #1 New York Times and USA Today best-selling authors, have dedicated their lives to enhancing the personal and professional lives of others.
Meeting God at Thirty-Thousand Feet
At the end of the day, I had won. And suddenly the demand for notebook art increased a good forty percent.
God: Yes.
Six Stars If I Could Have Rated It This High
- 4.5 out of 5 stars 134
- Story4 out of 5 stars 136
101 True Stories about how Positive Thinking can change your life! Everyone needs a little attitude adjustment once in a while, and these amazing true life stories reveal how real people used positive thinking to improve their lives and overcome challenges. Youll read stories about how you can make every day a special day, incorporate gratitude and joy into your daily life, count your blessings and change your outlook, use a few well-chosen words to reorient your life, manage cancer and other health challenges through a positive attitude, simplify and have a more meaningful life and more!
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Appreciate Life Even Though You Dont Have Much
Childrens 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, its not about what you have, but who you have.
