I’ve picked up some great advice from the thousands of stories that we have published about living life in a positive way, and I’d like to share seven tips with you:
1. Pursue at least one of your passions. If you have a job that just pays the bills, okay then, that is just your job, but that doesn’t have to be what you do. Find some time to do what you actually love to do. I’ve heard that you should think back to what you loved to do when you were 10 years old and you should try to do that now. For me, it was two things: reading, and hiking in the woods behind our house. And now I do just that — I read for work, I read for pleasure, and when the weather and time permits, my husband and I go hiking on the trails in the nature preserve in our neighborhood.
2. Do something that has meaning to you and gives you purpose. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Make yourself necessary to somebody.” You lift yourself when you lift others. We have hundreds of stories from people who found that doing some kind of volunteer work practically saved their lives — it turned everything around for them to be giving back, to feel valued by other people, no matter what their own circumstances. Doing good for others is incredibly good for you.
3. Count your blessings. We get more stories than we could possibly publish about people who have purposefully turned their attitudes around by keeping a journal. Some people write down one good thing that happened to them each day, even if it’s something like “there was no line at Starbucks this morning.” Other people make themselves write down three good things that happen to them each day. It may sound hokey but it works, and we hear about these gratitude journals all the time. It’s been scientifically proven that people who keep track of the “good things” in their lives are healthier and more productive, and they get along better with other people.
4. Smile at everyone. No matter what kind of day you are having, smile. We have countless stories from people who tried this, including one woman who saw herself by accident in a mirror and wondered who that grouchy lady was. She had an epiphany when she realized she was looking at her own reflection and she resolved to start smiling no matter how she felt inside. She started getting smiles back, people treated her differently, and she started acting like the non-grouchy person who she wished she really was.
5. Keep learning. Have you ever noticed how energized you feel when you learn something new? Of course, you are already doing that by reading this book. My parents are in their eighties, and yet I see them reading books to learn history, traveling, and watching documentaries on television. They never stop learning, and they talk about what they have learned with great enthusiasm.
6. Take the long-term view. Think about your legacy, not the day to day. No matter what is happening now, what are you leaving the world. What has been your contribution? For me, that legacy is our children, despite the fact that my name is on the front cover of dozens of books. No matter how hard I work, or how much I enjoy it, my most important lifetime achievement will always be the two children I gave birth to and my two stepchildren. Our four amazing fully-grown children (and their fiancés and even their dogs) are what really make us happy. I know that my face glows when someone asks about the kids, no matter what else is happening during my day.
7. And finally, take some time for yourself. Sometimes, I don’t get home from work till eight o’clock and I’m dead tired, but before I go into the house to start what I call the second shift, I just sit in the car for an extra minute in the garage, listening to the end of an interesting news report or a song. Or I go for a walk on the weekend, with no iPod, and I listen to my thoughts instead of music. That’s “me” time. No matter how tired I am, or how late I go to bed, I take 10 or 15 minutes to read. That’s “me” time too. You’ve already given yourself the gift of some “me” time by reading this book. While you read the powerful stories in this book, you recharged your batteries, gained perspective on your current issues, and remembered what you’re grateful for in your life.
~Amy Newmark
Publisher, Editor-in-Chief, and Coauthor
Chicken Soup for the Soul
Meet the Contributors of the New Bonus Stories
MK Asante is a bestselling author and award-winning filmmaker who CNN calls “a master storyteller and major creative force.” The author of four celebrated books, Asante is a recipient of the Langston Hughes Award. His latest book, Buck, is a critically acclaimed memoir about his youth in Philadelphia. He is a distinguished professor of creative writing and film at Morgan State University. He can be reached at mkasante.com.
Michael Bernard Beckwith is the founder of the Agape International Spiritual Center headquartered in Los Angeles. He is the author of Spiritual Liberation, Life Visioning, and originator of the Life Visioning Process. He has appeared on The Oprah Show, Larry King Live, Tavis Smiley and his own PBS special, The Answer Is You.
Gabrielle Bernstein is the New York Times bestselling author of the book, May Cause Miracles. Her earlier titles include, Spirit Junkie and Add More ~ing to Your Life. Gabrielle was recently featured on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday as a next generation thought leader. She is the founder of the social networking site HerFuture.com for women to inspire, empower and connect.
Kris Carr is a New York Times bestselling author and health advocate. Her books and film include the groundbreaking Crazy Sexy Cancer series, Crazy Sexy Diet, and Crazy Sexy Kitchen. Kris regularly lectures at medical schools, hospitals, wellness centers, and corporations. Her TV appearances include: the Today show, Good Morning America, CBS Evening News and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Find out more at www.kriscarr.com.
Deepak Chopra, MD is the author of more than 70 books with 21 New York Times bestsellers. He is the founder of the Chopra Foundation, co-founder and Chairman of the Board of The Chopra Center for Wellbeing, founder of The Chopra Well on YouTube, Adjunct Professor at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School, Columbia University, and Senior Scientist with The Gallup Organization.
Lori Deschene is the founder of tinybuddha.com, a community blog about wisdom that draws a million monthly readers. She runs the site as a group effort because she believes we’re all students and teachers. She is the author of Tiny Buddha: Simple Wisdom for Life’s Hard Questions and the upcoming Tiny Buddha’s Guide to Self-Love.
Eric Handler is the co-founder and publisher of positivelypositive. com — an online multimedia platform known for its creative content designed to inspire readers to live fully, connected and ignite the fire inside of them. Positively Positive has millions of monthly readers.
Darren Hardy is a celebrated speaker, mentor to business luminaries and Publisher and Founding Editor of SUCCESS, the award-winning magazine serving to empower small business owners and entrepreneurial-minded achievers. Read his monthly letter, marketing and sales advice from thought leaders, inspiring feature stories and step-by-step guides for maximizing your potential at SUCCESS.com and DarrenHardy.com.
Robert Holden’s work on psychology and spirituality has been featured on Oprah, Good Morning America, a PBS special Shift Happens!, and in two major BBC-TV documentaries, The Happiness Formula and How to Be Happy. He is author of Happiness NOW!, Shift Happens!, Authentic Success, Be Happy and Loveability. Robert also hosts a weekly show on Hay House Radio called Shift Happens! www.robertholden.org
Tory Johnson has built two multi-million-dollar businesses — Women For Hire and Spark & Hustle — while serving as a Good Morning America contributor, New York Times bestselling author, contributing editor to SUCCESS magazine and a popular speaker. Her seventh book, The Shift, will be published in September 2013.
Mastin Kipp is the founder of TheDailyLove.com, a website, daily e-mail and Twitter account that serves soulful inspiration to a new generation. Hosting Mastin on her weekly show Super Soul Sunday, Oprah dubbed him an “up and coming thought leader of the next generation of spiritual thinkers.” Mastin’s book, Float: An Achiever’s Journey from Crisis to Grace, is due out from Hay House in ear
ly 2014.
Nick Ortner is the New York Times bestselling author of The Tapping Solution: A Revolutionary System for Stress-Free Living and the bestselling documentary by the same name. He teaches and writes about “EFT” or “Tapping” a technique that has shown to be effective for pain relief, limiting beliefs, weight loss, fears and phobias and more.
Mehmet Oz, MD two-time Daytime Emmy Award-winning host of the two-time Daytime Emmy Award-winning The Dr. Oz Show, is Vice-Chair and Professor of Surgery at Columbia University. He directs the Cardiovascular Institute and Complementary Medicine Program at New York Presbyterian Hospital. He has authored over 400 original publications, book chapters, and medical books, has received several patents, and performs more than 100 heart surgeries per year.
For more than 35 years, Anthony Robbins has devoted his life to helping people from around the world discover and develop their own unique qualities of greatness. Considered the nation’s leader in peak performance and a recognized authority on the psychology of leadership, personal transformation and organizational turnaround, he has been honored consistently for his strategic intellect and humanitarian endeavors.
don Miguel Ruiz is the international bestselling author of The Four Agreements (a New York Times bestseller for seven years), The Mastery of Love, The Voice of Knowledge, and The Fifth Agreement. Today, he continues to share ancient Toltec wisdom through lectures and journeys to sacred sites around the world.
Meet the Contributors of the Original Stories
Bios as of 1993, the year of publication of the original book:
Wally “Famous” Amos is the founder of Famous Amos Cookies and author of the book and cassette album The Power . . . In You. Wally resides in Maui, Hawaii. He can be reached by writing to P.O. Box 897, Kailua, HI 96734 or call (808) 261-6075.
Joe Batten, C.P.A.E. is a professional speaker and a successful businessperson who knows how to inspire confidence in organizations in good economic times and bad. His 35 years as an author, consultant and speaker have earned him the title of Corporate Mentor. Joe wrote the bestselling book: Tough Minded Management. Joe is a man who loves life and laughter and translates that warmth and passion to every audience. You can reach Joe by writing to 4505 S.W. 26th St., Des Moines, IA 50321-2813. Call (515) 285-8069 or fax (515) 285-5672.
Gene Bedley is a retired principal, recipient of the PTA’s 1985 National Educator of the Year Award and the Milken Family Foundation’s 1994 Educator of the Year, and author of numerous books on creating a positive classroom environment. He can be reached at 14252 East Mall, Irvine, California 92714 or call (714) 551-6690.
Michele Borba is a prolific author on building self-esteem in elementary classrooms. She is a member of the board of trustees of the National Council for Self-Esteem. Her best book is Esteem Builders, a collection of 379 classroom activities. You can reach her by writing 840 Prescott Drive, Palm Springs, California 92262 or call (619) 323-5387.
Helice Bridges is a recognized and dynamic speaker and trainer who travels internationally doing self-esteem training and workshops for schools, organizations and businesses. She is Chairperson of the Board for Difference Makers, Inc. and can be reached at P.O. Box 2115, Del Mar, California 92014 or call (800) 887-8422 or (760) 634-1851.
Les Brown is a highly acclaimed speaker who talks to Fortune 500 companies and conducts personal and professional seminars around the country. He is well known to television audiences through his PBS specials, all of which are available on audiocassette and videotape. He can be reached by writing Les Brown Unlimited, 2180 Penobscot Building, Detroit, Michigan 48226 or call (800) 733-4226.
Dr. Helen E. Buckley is a retired professor of English from the State University College of New York at Oswego and former teacher of writing for children at Syracuse University’s Continuing Education Department. She is a contributor to professional journals as well as the author of 16 children’s books, including: Grandfather and I, Grandmother and I and Someday with My Father.
Dan Clark is a professional motivational speaker who has conducted thousands of talks for high school students, parents and corporations. He can be reached at P.O. Box 8689, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108 or call (801) 532-5755.
Alan Cohen is a prolific and dynamic speaker and author. Our favorite book of his is The Dragon Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. He can be reached at P.O. Box 98509, Des Moines, WA 98198 or call (800) 462-3013.
Roger Crawford is a dynamic motivational speaker. His book is entitled Playing From The Heart. He can be reached by writing 1050 St. Andrews Drive, Byron, California 94514 or call (510) 634-8519.
Stan Dale formerly the voice of “The Shadow” and the announcer/ narrator of “The Lone Ranger,” “Sgt. Preston” and “The Green Hornet” radio shows, is the Director/Founder of the Human Awareness Institute in San Mateo, California, an organization dedicated to “creating a world where everyone wins.” He conducts “Sex, Love and Intimacy Workshops” around the world. Stan is the author of Fantasies Can Set You Free and My Child, My Self: How To Raise The Child You Always Wanted To Be. Both books are also available on cassette from The Human Awareness Institute, 1720 S. Amphlett Blvd., Suite 128, San Mateo, California 94402 or call (800) 800-4117 or (415) 571-5524.
Burt Dubin is the developer of the Speaking Success System, a powerful instrument for helping aspiring and professional speakers position, package, promote and present themselves. “You are a master — an absolute master — I recommend your system without reservations,” says Jos J. Charbonneau, C.S.P., C.P.A.E. Burt may be reached at Personal Achievement Institute, 1 Speaking Success Road, Kingman, Arizona 86402-6543 or call (800) 321-1225.
Charles Faraone is one of the world’s great huggers. He runs workshops and speaks on hugging, spirituality and single life. He can be reached at Once Upon A Planet, P.O. Box 610220, Bayside, NY 11361-0220 or by calling (516) 883-4932. For newsletter and Free Hug Coupons, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Let’s Hug!, P.O. Box 610220, Bayside, NY 11361-0220.
Patricia Fripp, C.S.P., C.P.A.E. is a “speaker for all reasons.” She is past president of the National Speakers Association and is one of the most dynamic speakers we know. She can be reached at 527 Hugo Street, San Francisco, California 94122 or call (415) 753-6556.
Bobbie Gee, C.S.P. is recognized as one of America’s most outstanding female speakers. She is the author of the book Winning the Image Game (Pagemill Press) and two cassette albums Life Doesn’t Have To Be A Struggle and Image Power. You can contact her at Bobbie Gee Enterprises, 1540 S. Coast Highway, Suite 206, Laguna Beach, California 92651 or call (800) 462-4386 or (714) 497-1915.
Rick Gelinas is the President of the Lucky Acorns Delphi Foundation in Miami Florida. He is a master educator and has dedicated his life to making a difference to children. You can reach him at 5888 S.W. 77 Terrace, Miami Florida 33143 or call (305) 667-7756.
John Goddard is an adventurer, explorer and world-class motivational speaker. He can be reached at 4224 Beulah Drive, La Canada, California 91101 or call (818) 790-7094.
Patty Hansen is Administrative Director of Look Who’s Talking. She can be reached at P.O. Box 7665, Newport Beach, California 92658 or call (714) 759-9304.
Danielle Kennedy, M.A. is a celebrated author, world-class sales trainer, inspirationalist and award-winning saleswoman. She holds an Honorary Degree in the Humanities from Clarke College and a Masters in Professional Writing from the University of Southern California. She lectures in 100 cities a year on sales, marketing and leadership. Her bestselling books include How To List And Sell Real Estate In The ’90s (Prentice Hall) and Kennedy On Doubling Your Income In Real Estate Sales (John Wiley). She is married and has eight children. She can be reached at 219 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, California 92672 or call (714) 498-8033.
Florence Littauer, C.S.P., C.P.A.E. is one of the most wonderful people we know. She is an inspiring writer and teacher. Our favorite book of hers is Little Silver Boxes. She can be reached at 1611 S. Rancho Santa Fe Rd., Ste. F2 San Marcos, Cali
fornia 92069 or call (760) 471-0233.
Rick Little over the last 16 years has participated in a wide range of efforts to improve the social and economic conditions of children and youth. In 1975 he founded Quest International and served as its president for 15 years. Mr. Little has co-authored books with leading authorities on youth including Bill Cosby and Dr. Charlie W. Shedd. In 1990 Rick Little founded the International Youth Foundation with major support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. He now serves as Secretary General to the International Youth Foundation, whose goal is to identify and fund replicable youth programs that have demonstrated success. The foundation currently focuses on programs in Southern Africa, Poland, Ecuador, Mexico, Bangladesh, Thailand and the Philippines.
Hanoch McCarty, Ed.D. is a professional speaker, trainer and consultant specializing in motivation, productivity and self-esteem enhancement. Hanoch is one of the most sought-after speakers in the nation because he combines humor and moving stories with practical skills that can be put to work immediately. His books and videotape programs include Stress and Energy and Self-Esteem: The Bottom Line. He can be reached at P.O. Box 66, Galt, California 95632 or call (800) 231-7353.
Dan Millman is a former world champion gymnast, university coach and bestselling author whose eight books, including Way of the Peaceful Warrior, No Ordinary Moments, The Life You Were Born to Live, The Inner Athlete and The Laws of Spirit have inspired millions of people worldwide. For the past decade, Dan has trained people from all walks of life and all over the world, including health and business professionals, therapists, educators and others involved in the fields of peak performance and personal growth. He and his family live in Northern California. Contact him at: www.danmillman.com.
W. Mitchell, C.P.A.E. is one of the most inspirational speakers we have ever met. His tape program is entitled It’s Not What Happens To You, It’s What You Do About It. He can be reached at 12014 W. 54th Drive, #100, Arvada, Colorado 80002 or call (303) 425-1800.