As I cleaned out my bookcases, I came across a book by Canfield, Hansen and Spilchuk called, A Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul. Hard to believe that it is almost 20 years old now – it seemed almost revolutionary in its day! I decided to give it a re-read and thought I’d share some of its pearls with you. The life lessons and musings are truly timeless.Sayings from famous and not-so-famous people:
If you want your children to turn out well, spend twice as much time with them and half as much money on them.
Abigail Van Buren (Dear Abby)
There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children; one of these is roots, the other wings.
Hodding Carter
It’s kind of fun to do the impossible!
Walt Disney
You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try.
Beverley Sills
If I could wish for my life to be perfect, it would be tempting but I would have to decline, for life would no longer teach me anything.
Allyson Jones
When faced with a decision – decide.
When faced with a choice – choose.
Sitting on the fence will leave you too tense
Because you neither win nor lose!
Barry Spilchuk
A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances,
but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.
Hugh Downs
The Obstacle In Our Path
by Brian Cavanaugh
In ancient times, a king had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the kingdom’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the big stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along, carrying a load of vegetables.
On approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded.
As the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.
The peasant learned what many others never understand:
Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve one’s condition.
(page 84)
Did you know ……
- Cinnamon essential oil is antiseptic, warming to muscles and offers relief from coughs, colds and stomach/bowel upsets
- Eucalyptus essential oil is antibacterial, antiviral and can help relieve nasal and lung congestion
- Ginger essential oil warms and soothes arthritic pain, relieves stomach upset and helps calm nervous tension