Chicken Soup Unsinkable Soul

by Jack Canfield

  JDF also sponsors international workshops and conferences for biomedical researchers. Individual chapters offer support groups and other activities for families affected by diabetes.

  For more information, write to:

  Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International

  120 Wall Street

  New York, NY 10005-4001

  phone: 800-JDF-CURE

  fax: 212-785-9500

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  WHO IS JACK CANFIELD?

  Jack Canfield is a bestselling author with twenty-seven books published, including nine New York Times bestsellers. In 1998 USA Today declared that Jack Canfield and his writing partner, Mark Victor Hansen, sold more books during the previous year than any other author in the United States. Jack and Mark also have a syndicated Chicken Soup for the Soul newspaper column through King Features and a weekly column in Woman's World magazine.

  Jack is the author and narrator of several bestselling audiocassette and videocassette programs, including Self-Esteem and Peak Performance, How to Build High Self-Esteem and The STAR Program. He is a regularly consulted expert for radio and television broadcasts and has published a total of twenty-seven booksall bestsellers within their categoriesincluding twenty-two Chicken Soup for the Soul books, The Aladdin Factor, Heart at Work, 100 Ways to Build Self-Concept in the Classroom and Dare to Win.

  Jack conducts keynote speeches for about seventy-five groups each year. His clients have included schools and school districts in all fifty states, over one hundred education associations including the American School Counselors Association and Californians for a Drug Free Youth, plus corporate clients such as AT&T, Campbell Soup, Clairol, Domino's Pizza, GE, New England Telephone, Re/Max, Sunkist, Supercuts and Virgin Records.

  Jack conducts an annual seven-day Training of Trainers program in the areas of building self-esteem and achieving peak performance in all areas of your life. The program attracts educators, counselors, parenting trainers, corporate trainers, professional speakers, ministers, youth workers and interested others.

  To contact Jack for further information about his books, tapes and trainings, or to schedule him for a keynote speech, please contact:

  The Canfield Training Group

  P.O. Box 30880 Santa Barbara, CA 93130

  phone: 805-563-2935 fax: 805-563-2945

  To send e-mail or to visit his Web site: www.chickensoup.com

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  WHO IS MARK VICTOR HANSEN?

  Mark Victor Hansen is a professional speaker who, in more than two decades, has made over four thousand presentations to more than two million people in thirty-two countries. His presentations cover sales excellence and strategies; personal empowerment and development; and how to triple your income and double your time off.

  Mark has spent a lifetime dedicated to his mission of making a profound and positive difference in people's lives. Throughout his career, he has inspired hundreds of thousands of people to create a more powerful and purposeful future for themselves, while stimulating the sale of billions of dollars worth of goods and services.

  Mark is a prolific writer and has authored Future Diary, How to Achieve Total Prosperity and The Miracle of Tithing. He is coauthor of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, Dare to Win and The Aladdin Factor (all with Jack Canfield) and The Master Motivator (with Joe Batten).

  Mark has also produced a complete library of personal empowerment audio- and videocassette programs that have enabled his listeners to recognize and use their innate abilities in their business and personal lives. His message has made him a popular television and radio personality, with appearances on ABC, NBC, CBS, HBO, PBS, CNN, "Prime Time Country," "Crook & Chase" and TNN News. He has also appeared on the cover of numerous magazines, including Success, Entrepreneur and Changes.

  Mark is a big man with a heart and spirit to matchan inspiration to all who seek to better themselves.

  For further information about Mark contact:

  P.O. Box 7665 Newport Beach, CA 92658

  phone: 949-759-9304 or 800-433-2314

  fax: 949-722-6912

  To send e-mail or to visit his Web site: www.chickensoup.com.

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  WHO IS HEATHER MCNAMARA?

  What began for Heather as a part-time freelancing job in 1995 turned into a full-time job as editorial director for Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises in 1996.

  "I feel so fortunate to have a job that brings joy to so many people," Heather says. Her love of literature grew from her third-grade teacher Mrs. Lutsinger, who read to the children every day after lunch.

  Today Heather owns her own home in a rural outpost of the San Fernando Valley, where she enjoys the panoramic view of the valley, her garden and her four dogsall adopted strays. Her oldest dog, an abandoned "junkyard" dog, continues to patrol her yard, despite the fact that "he is blind in one eye and doesn't hear so well. But he still has a good sniffer," Heather proclaims.

  The idea for Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul came from feedback from the many Soup readers whose consistently favorite chapter is Overcoming Obstacles.

  "Fortunately, I've never faced the many kinds of obstacles others have," Heather says. "Compiling these stories has caused me to reflect on the blessings of my life: a father who loves me, a mother who spoils me, a grandmother who inspires me, and three siblings who make me laugh. Best of all," Heather continues, ''I count my brother and sisters among my best friends.

  "These stories put my own life in perspective." She recalled many conversations with William Rush, a contributor to the book, as they talked over the computer. What Heather heard was the tapping of his headstick, each delayed word spoken by his computer, until finally a sentence was strung together, again delivered in the distinctively metered voice of the computer. The day she called to tell William that his story would be published in Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul, "I didn't hear the familiar 'tap,' 'tap,' 'tap.' I just heard this incredibly exuberant and exhilarating cry." It is the only time she heard William's voice, and it sent shivers through her.

  You can reach Heather at:

  Self-Esteem Seminars

  P.O. Box 30880

  Santa Barbara, CA 93130

  phone: 818-833-1954

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  CONTRIBUTORS

  Several of the stories in this book were taken from previously published sources, such as books, magazines and newspapers. These sources are acknowledged in the permissions section. However, most of the stories were written by humorists, comedians, professional speakers and workshop presenters. If you would like to contact them for information on their books, audiotapes and videotapes, seminars and workshops, you can reach them at the addresses and phone numbers provided below.

  The remainder of the stories were submitted by readers of our previous Chicken Soup for the Soul books who responded to our requests for stories. We have also included information about them.

  Willanne Ackerman, mother of four, wrote "Happy Birthday" for a writing class during her return to college after a fifteen-year hiatus. She now teaches English in a public high school in Southern California, where she encourages her students to examine their own lives and values through writing. "Often, an 'Aha!' moment comes after you see something you've written on paper. This," she says, "is when students discover important truths about life and about themselves."

  Dennis J. Alexander is a high school teacher in Seaside, California, where he lives with his wife and daughter. He has traveled and taught in the Philippines, Korea, New England and California. He grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and received degrees from the University of Wisconsin and the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Dennis has written short stories and is currently at work on a family memoir and a novel. He can be contacted c/o The Millennium Publishing Group, Tenth St., Monterey, CA.

  Carol Barre lives with her husband, Jim, and dachshund, Frodo, in a motorhome and migrates from work at an RV park in the Florida Keys to summer near her mother in North Ca
rolina. Writing, bodywork and Twelve-Step programs have opened her path to self-acceptance. "I write to understand myself and sometimes it seems that may be helpful to someone else."

  Karyl Chastain Beal has been a fifth-grade teacher for about twenty-five years and a hopeful writer for the last ten of them. In memory of her daughter Arlyn, she is working to help parents whose children have died (from suicide or

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  other causes) through e-mail support groups. She would like to expand this mission to include teaching others about suicide, in hopes that new awareness will produce a demand for identification of root causes and solutions to a growing problem. Visit Arlyn's memorial Web site at www.virtual-memorials.com. You may contact Karyl via e-mail at 103040.2452@compuserve.com or arlynsmother@hotmail.com or by mail at P.O. Box 417, Pavo, GA 31778.

  Rachel Berry is a freelance writer and poet. She has an adult novel in progress and is currently circulating a juvenile novel for publication. The married mother of four is the Valentine's Day contest winner of Byline Magazine, and has had short stories published in Tidewater, Parent Magazine and Shallow End E-zine Magazine.

  The Best of Bits & Pieces. Copyright ©1994 by Arthur E Lenehan, editor. The Economics Press, Inc., 12 Daniel Road, Fairfield, NJ 07004. Call 800-526-2554 worldwide at 1-973-227-1224. You may fax The Economics Press at 973-227-9742 or email info@epinc.com or by the web at www.epinc.com. Please call The Economics Press, Inc., directly to purchase this book or for subscription information on, or a free sample issue of the monthly pocket magazine, Bits & Pieces, the magazine that motivates the world.

  Deborah Tyler Blais loves playing fetch with her new kitty, Karma, relaxing at the beach, riding on the back of her husband Gary's Harley, and of coursewriting! Grateful for the gifts and lessons cancer brought her, Debbie continues sharing her experiences with others as she finishes her first book, Living Your Bliss. Anyone touched by her story is welcome to drop her a line at: 1419 Madison St., Hollywood, FL 33020 or debbieb688@aol.com

  Terry Boisot and her husband Bruce have two children, Michelle and Ben. The lives of her children and the support of her husband have inspired Terry to advocate on behalf of people with developmental disabilities. She has devoted her life to educating people throughout her community and the state of California as to the value of building communities that expect, welcome and support people with varying abilities. This short story, "Ben," is only one of a lifetime of stories that have and will continue to renew her spirit and keep her vision alive that the world will one day embrace all people in the mainstream of life.

  Jean Bole, R.N., B.A., is restorative/rehabilitation certified, CAN instructor certitled and stress management educator certified. She is currently involved with Governors State University's Wellness Conference in an effort to educate the community regarding mind-body health. She is a wife, mother and a lover of dolls. Jean is a published freelance writer/poet. You can reach her by writing to P.O. Box 512, Valparaiso, IN 46383.

  Nancy Bouchard lives in New England with her husband and three children. Currently working as a public relations coordinator for a private school she also does freelance journalism and other writing services from her home. For her self-published book of short stories and poetry, or to contact Nancy, call 978-975-1590.

  Henry Cuyler Bunner (18551896), was an American author and editor whose

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  literacy contributions and editorial leadership helped spark the early issues of Puck, America's first comic weekly. Bunner excelled in the writing of light verses, volumes of poetry and parodies. Bunner died in Nutley, New Jersey, on May 11, 1896.

  Darrell J. Burnett, Ph.D., is a clinical and sport psychologist, parent, national lecturer, author, consultant, and volunteer youth league coach. He has been in private practice in southern California for over twenty years, working with troubled youth and their families, specializing in positive parenting. He can be reached at Funagain Press, P.O. Box 7223, Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-7223, 800-493-5943 or by fax at 949-495-8204. E-mail: djburnet@pacbell.net. Web site: www.djburnett.com

  John Callahan. You might have first heard about him as "that paralyzed cartoonist," but this misses the point. John Callahan is a hysterically funny cartoonist, regardless of any handicaps he might have to overcome. John's autobiography, Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot! was a bestseller on the New York Times list. TriStar Pictures recently purchased the book's movie rights as a vehicle for Robin Williams. You can contact John c/o Deborah Levin at Levin Represents at 310- 92-5146.

  Chris Carrier ministers to students and frequently shares about God's mercy in his life. He holds a master of divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Chris and his wife Leslie live in San Marcos, Texas, with their children Amanda, Melodee and Preston.

  Lila Jones Cathey, daughter of T.R. and May Jones of McAdoo, Texas, is owner of Hill County Leather. She is married to George Cathey and has three children, Susan Hallam, Laurie Perkins and David Cathey. Lila has had a lifetime involvement in helping the mentally retarded and became the advocate for a young man with Down's syndrome twenty years ago. Lila has written several human interest articles that have been published in newspapers in Austin, Texas and Bronwood, Texas. You may reach her at 108 Parkview Terrace, Bronwood, TX 76801, or call her at 915-643-2299.

  Fred Lloyd Cochran has been a science writer and editor for the past forty years. Mixed in was a twelve-year adventure as the editor and publisher of California's oldest weekly newspaper The Mountain Messenger (established 1853). In his spare time he wrote documentary films. He currently lives in the San Bernardino National Forest where he is completing a historical novel about the follies of America's nuclear research programs. He can be reached at P.O. Box 2350, Crestline, CA 92325.

  Michael Cody, a retired brigadier general, is an internationally recognized speaker, educator and entertainer. Mike specializes in leadership, motivation, management, communications, and Indian Wars and Medal of Honor-related historical seminars. He can be reached at 1716 Singletary NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112, by calling 505-293-3729, or e-mail at mcabq@aol.com.

  Phil Colburn is ninety-nine years old and has lived in a senior home since the death of her husband in 1994. They shared seventy-four happy years together,

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  as well as three children: twin sons and a daughter. Often the ideas for a poem come to Phil in the night and she must get up and write them down or they escape.

  Julane DeBoer along with her husband, Mark, is currently raising six children in Zeeland, Michigan. Mark keeps busy as an assistant store director for D & W Food Center. Julane is busy being a mom and a full-time college student. They are really thankful to God for having a part in Luke's miracle.

  Christopher de Vinck is a writer in Pompton Plains, New Jersey.

  Melva Hagger Dye's professional involvement has encompassed newspapers, commercial printing and graphic arts for over thirty years. She remarried, lives in Houston, Texas, and works with her husband, founder and president of Print Marketing Concepts, Inc., producers of television magazine for newspapers throughout the U.S. She and her husband are avid art collectors. Melva also enjoys porcelain doll-making, pottery and golf in addition to writing. She is currently completing her first novel.

  Carol Darnell was born in Lubbock, Texas, and is a wife and proud mother of three children: Nicole, Kyle and Kevin. She has been married for twenty years. She is a preschool gymnastic instructor in Corona, California. Her article was written as a loving tribute to her father, Lawrence Anderson, who passed away in 1989. Currently writing a humorous book about parenting, she also performs stand-up comedy. Carol can be reached at 909-279-9792.

  Janie Emaus is a mother of two unique children, the wife of a very loving man and the daughter of the most wonderful parents in the world. Her story is dedicated to her mother, Sylvia. Her stories have appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers and she has written two novels for children, as well as educational videos. She can be reached by fax
at 818-710-0353.

  Mavis Burton Ferguson was born in May of 1916 in the tiny hamlet of Berlin, Georgia. She was raised in a strong Christian family amidst the backdrop of Southern racial prejudices that influenced her early views of the world. Mavis met her husband, Mac, while she was obtaining her B.A. from Stetson University. Soon after their marriage Mac was called to serve in World War II and thereafter continued to enjoy a career as an officer in the military. Mavis's story is based at one of the tours of duty that took the Ferguson family around the world. Through this experience she was able to take her racial blinders off and see the magnitude of "the Golden Rule" taught in the Bible.