Chicken Soup for the Recovering Soul Daily Inspirations (Chicken Soup for the Soul) (14 page)

Anne Conner

Life is a glass given to us to fill; a busy life is filling it with as much as it can hold; a hurried life has had more poured into it than it can contain.

William Adams Brown

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O
urdaughter is anathletewhohas runtheChicagoand NewYorkmarathons. Facing an eight hour surgery for malignantmelanoma she relatedthe experience toher hike across themoors inScotland. “Whenwalking inthe driving rainthroughthebarrenland, I’dlookaheadat thepuddles forming. TheylookedsobigandIdidn’tthinkIcouldgetacross...butI did.EverytimeIgotuptotheplacewhereIneededtocross, Idis-coveredsmallpebbleshadformedapathformeandeachtimeI’ve facedatrial,IknowGodwillputthepebbles inplacewhenIneedtocross.”

Elaine Ingalls Hogg

Courage is the first of human qualities, because it is the quality which guarantees all others.

Winston Churchill

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I
think that human beings are very imitative creatures; we imitate clothes, hair styles, mannerisms and lifestyles. A man’s mind will be influenced by what he listens to and what he reads. And what we think is very important to sobriety.

Today I make an effort to examine my thinking and check it out with a sponsor or in a support group. I know that my dignity in sobriety is connected not only with what I do but also with my attitudes and thoughts. When my thinking begins to go crazy, I know I am in a dangerous place and I need to talk. God created me with the ability to think, therefore, I need to safeguard the information I put in my mind.

Reverend Leo Booth

Thought makes the whole dignity of man; therefore endeavor to think well, that is the only morality.

Blaise Pascal

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“D
id you notice the beautiful sunrise this morning?” Steven asked. I shookmy head no. “Well, I justwatched it frommy cell and realized how grateful I amthat I can see the sunrise through the bars of my window. And, I just had breakfast. My oatmeal wasn’t as cold as it often is, which makes it a good day.” The sincerity in his voice stopped me in my tracks. Just the day before, Steven learned he would be serving the full termof his DUI sentence, another five years, behind bars. I’ve never forgotten what I learned from him that beautiful morning. When I start throwing a pity party for myself I remember that I, too, can choose what to focus on in my life.

Lisa Kugler

People become what you encourage them to be, not what you nag them to be.

Scudder N. Parker

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R
ecovery is a journey from brokenness to wholeness during which we often shut ourselves off from those around us. What we don’t readily see is that intentionally alienating ourselves from others is a kind of self-inflicted brokenness. There is no shame in needing others; none of us is complete without human relationships, but if we choose to face life in isolation we will always be deficient in some way.

At the same time, we must realize that in every relationship we also bring something of value to others that they need in order to be whole. In community, we give and receive strength for the journey.

Lynne Lepley

I would rather define self as the interiorization of community.

James Hillman

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W
hen going through tragedy to emerge on the other side without having taken on the ugly traits of bitterness, anger and self-pity is no easy task.Hopefully, we come to understand that deep in our souls we are all beautiful. It is this beauty that continues to live on. It’s an incredible gift if we can connect with it, not only within ourselves, but also with our loved ones. But just as the ugly duckling was blind to his true being until he saw his reflection, we can’t know this truth unless we are willing to look for it. The journey takes courage.

Joyce Harvey

I asked God to give me happiness. God said, “No. I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you.”

Unknown

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T
oday I greet the world, not only with resolutions of what to achieve, but also with a willingness to embrace life as it is. If I miss all that is contained in this moment, then I miss it all. The beauty, purpose and mystery that are always available to me are my real treasures in this world. This year I learn about life and love and simplicity. I want what I pass on to my children to go into their hearts

where no one can take it away. I want to know them and I want them to know me.

Tian Dayton

Life was meant to be lived, and curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.

Eleanor Roosevelt

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