There is so much more to life than cross-country
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meets, soccer games, and the transformation from middle-schooler to high-schooler. What matters most is what you make of your life. If how you feel from day-to-day is based upon what others think and how they judge you, then your life has no basis. If you are a person who wakes up in the morning and dreads the day ahead, then your life has no meaning.
However, if you wake up every morning eager to start the new day, then your life has meaning, for it has a purpose. My life certainly has a purpose. Every day is a struggle to survive: building new friendships, fixing old ones, learning how to deal with complicated emotions and accepting new surroundings. I find that every day is a journey of finding out who and what you are.
I believe that the question ''what is the meaning of life" is too broad. I don't think that anyone will ever truly discover the exact reason why we were put here and what we must do now that we are here. Personally, I do not care to discover the reason. I prefer to leave each day to its own devices.
Every day is an adventure in discovering the meaning of life. It is each little thing that you do that daywhether it be spending time with Your friends, running in a cross-country race or just simply staring at the crashing oceanthat holds the key to discovering the meaning of life. I would rather be out enjoying these simple things than pondering them. We may never really discover the meaning of life, but the knowledge we gain in our quest to discover it is truly more valuable.
My hand ached and my pencil was but a stub, by my essay was finished. I had discovered many things while writing this essay, although maybe not the exact meaning of life. I don't need to find that out yet, I thought, smiling. I have things to do along the way.
My notebook page, as well as my mind, was no longer blank.
Jenni Norman
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MORE CHICKEN SOUP?
Many of the stories and poems that you have read in this book were submitted by readers like you who have read Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul and the other Chicken Soup for the Soul books. In the future, we are planning to publish Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul III, Chicken Soup for the College Soul, Chicken Soup for the Parent's Soul and Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul. We would love to have you contribute a story, poem, quote or cartoon to one of these future books.
This may be a story you write yourself, or one you clip out of the school newspaper, local newspaper, a church bulletin or a magazine. It might be something you read in a book or find on the Internet. It could also be a favorite poem, quotation or cartoon you have saved. Please also send us as much information as possible about where it came from.
Just send a copy of your stories or other pieces to us at this address:
Chicken Soup for the (Specify Which Edition) Soul
P.O. Box 936 Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
phone: 310-573-3655 fax: 310-573-3657
e-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.teenagechickensoup.com
WHAT IS A CHICKEN SOUP STORY?
After the release of Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul in May 1997, we received close to twenty thousand submissions from teenagers for the second edition. We were amazed, to say the least, at how many of you wanted to share your wisdom and experience with other teens in hopes of helping them. Although every story was an inspiration, we often chose the one that was written more in the format of what we call "a Chicken Soup story."
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In order to help you recognize and/or write one, we thought it would be helpful to describe to you what it is we look for in a story.
One of the most common mistakes in deciding what to write about is thinking it must be about something tragic. Since we felt deep and profound emotion when someone we loved died or became ill, we think that a story about it will move the reader in the same way. Although there are rare cases where this works, it usually does not. It is too personal and not interesting to the person reading it. Avoid eulogy-type stories.
Many people write to us with tributes to a friend or relative. Once again, this is something YOU feel strongly about. It is a good idea, before you write a story, to think to yourself: If I did not know this person or have any emotions tied to the subject, would I be interested in the story? If the answer is no, move on to another idea.
Another common mistake is vagueness. Someone once said, "God is in the details" and nothing could be more true when it comes to writing. Here is an example:
My boyfriend was so perfect. He was all I ever dreamed of and he was very nice to me.
This is pretty vague.
The boy who I was in love with at the time was six feet tall, had a swimmer's body and the most stunning blue eyes I'd ever seen. On our first date he offered to take me home early because he knew I had to take my SATs the following morning.
This is not vague. Which one is more interesting?
Whenever possible, write as if you are explaining what a camera would see, rather than what you are thinking.
A great Chicken Soup story has a great ending. A perfect example is "Starlight, Star Bright," the first story in this book. The author of this story doesn't let us know what the end is going to be until the very end. It feels like he might be laughing at her (the author) or too embarrassed
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by her kiss, so, as the reader, you feel a bit nervous about the outcome. When you read the final sentence you are so relieved and so happy, it is as if you were the one he wanted to kiss. That is a good ending.
The most important thing about writing a story is knowing before you begin what the beginning, middle and end of the story will be. Change it around and play with it until you have the best possible ending. Once you know how the story will end you can build up to it. You can do that either by keeping the reader in suspense or by ending it with the wisdom you gained from the experience.
It is a great idea to go through this book, or the original Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, and read the endings of lots of different stories before you begin so you can get the hang of it.
Once you have followed these guidelines, let the rest happen from your heart. The idea is to pass on wisdom and hope to the reader, leaving him with goosebumps and an open heart. That is what a Chicken Soup story is all about.
Good luck and have fun.
We are also compiling a book entitled The Chicken Soup for the Soul Letters, in which we will publish letters, stories and poems about how the stories in all of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books have impacted people's lives. So, please write to us and tell us how these stories have made a difference in your life at home, at school, at work and with your friends. We would love to hear from you.
You can also contact us at the above address for speaking engagements and for a brochure describing our other books, tapes and workshops.
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SUPPORTING TEENAGERS
In the spirit of supporting teenagers everywhere, we have formed T.E.E.N. (Teen Empowerment and Educational Network). A portion of the profits that are generated from this book will go to this network, which, in turn will support various teen organizations that are working toward the empowerment of teenagers and the improvement of teen education. Some organizations that will be receiving support from this network are:
Yellow Ribbon Project
Dyslexia Awareness and Resource Center
Teen Letter Project
The Yellow Ribbon Project is a nonprofit organization that helps to prevent teen suicides.
Since its story first appeared in A 3rd Serving of Chicken Soup for the Soul and then again in Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, Yellow Ribbon has documented over 1,000 lives saved. We were deeply moved by Dale and Dar Emmes's dedication to preventing teen suicide because it came as a result of their losing their son to suicide. They have made hundreds of appearances at high schools and youth groups to discuss with teenagers this tragic epidemic and have marked results with each appearance.<
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To contact this organization for help in setting up a Yellow Ribbon Program in your school or community, or to receive a yellow ribbon for yourself and your friends:
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Yellow Ribbon Project
P.O. Box 644 Westminster, CO 80030
phone: 303-429-3530, -3531, -3532
fax: 303-426-4496
e-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.yellowribbon.org
The Dyslexia Awareness and Resource Center is an organization that helps students who are dyslexic learn how to read and learn in a way that is conducive to their disabilty. Research has shown that a large percentage of juveniles who are in prison or detention centers are dyslexic. Joan Esposito, program director for the Center, believes that because learning is so difficult for dyslexics, their self-esteem is continually damaged in our present educational system and this results in many teen dyslexics turning to crime.
We feel that the Center is doing very important work to reverse the effects of and prevent this disabling progression of circumstances and urge all those interested in doing similar work in their communities to contact the Center.
If you would like more information or if you are interested in making a donation please contact:
Dyslexia Awareness and Resource Center
928 Carpinteria Street, Suite 2
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
phone: 805-963-7339
fax: 805-963-6581
e-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.dyslexia-center.com
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The Teen Letter Project is responsible for answering the heartfelt letters received from teenagers and also reaching out to teens in trouble and encouraging them to seek professional help. The Project was founded by Kimberly Kirberger, along with Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Health Communications, Inc.
The Project is currently involved in setting up a Web page that will allow teens to give help to and receive help from one another.
To contact the Teen Letter Project:
Teen Letter Project
P. O. Box 936
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
phone: 310-573-3655
fax: 510-573-3657
e-mail for stories: [email protected]
e-mail for letters: [email protected]
Web site: www.teenagechickensoup.com
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WHO IS JACK CANFIELD?
Jack Canfield is a best-selling author and one of America's leading experts in the development of human potential. He is both a dynamic and entertaining speaker and a highly sought-after trainer with a wonderful ability to inform and inspire audiences to open their hearts, love more openly and boldly pursue their dreams.
Jack spent his teenage years growing up in Martins Ferry, Ohio, and Wheeling, West Virginia, with his sister Kimberly (Kirberger) and his two brothers, Rick and Taylor. The whole family has spent most of their professional careers dedicated to educating, counseling and empowering teens. Jack admits to being shy and lacking self-confidence in high school, but through a lot of hard work he earned letters in three sports and graduated third in his class.
After graduating college, Jack taught high school in the inner city of Chicago and in Iowa. In recent years, Jack has expanded this to include adults in both educational and corporate settings.
He is the author and narrator of several bestselling audio and video cassette programs. He is a regularly consulted expert for radio and television broadcasts and has published twenty-five booksall bestsellers within their categoriesincluding nineteen 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 addresses over one hundred groups each year. His clients include professional associations, school districts, government agencies, churches and corporations in all fifty states.
Jack conducts an annual eight-day Training of Trainers program in the areas of building self-esteem and achieving peak performance. It attracts educators, counselors, patenting trainers, corporate trainers, professional speakers, ministers and others interested in developing their speaking and seminar-leading skills in these areas.
For further information about Jack's books, tapes and trainings, or to schedule him for a presentation, please contact:
The Canfield Training Group
P.O. Box 30880 Santa Barbara, CA 93130
phone: 800-237-8336 fax: 805-563-2945
e-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.chickensoup.com
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WHO IS MARK VICTOR HANSEN?
Mark Victor Hansen is a professional speaker who, in the last twenty years, has made over four thousand presentations to more than two million people in thirty-three 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 the 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 better 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, QVC and CNN.
He has also appeared on the cover of numerous magazines including Success, Entrepreneur and Changes.
Mark is a big man with a heart and a spirit to matchan inspiration to all who seek to better themselves.
For further information about Mark, please contact:
Mark Victor Hansen & Associates
P.O. Box 7665
Newport Beach, CA 92658
phone: 949-759-9304 or 800-433-2314
fax: 949-722-6912
Web site: www.chickensoup.com
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WHO IS KIMBERLY KIRBERGER?
Kimberly Kirberger is the president and founder of I.A.M. for Teens, Inc. (Inspiration and Motivation for Teens, Inc.) a corporation formed exclusively to work for teens. It is her goal to see teens represented in a more positive light and it is her strong belief that teens deserve better and more positive treatment.
She spends her time reading the thousands of letters and stories sent to her by teen readers and traveling around the country speaking to high school students and parents of teens. She has appeared as a teen expert on many television and radio shows, including Geraldo, MSNBC, and The Terry Bradshaw Show.
Kimberly is the coauthor of the bestselling Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, as well as Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul Journal. She worked closely with teenagers on both projects and feels her ability to listen to their needs and wants lent to the success of the teenage Chicken Soup books.
She started the Teen Letter Project with Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Health Communications, Inc. The Project is responsible for answering the heartfelt letters received from teenagers and also reaching out to teens in trouble and encouraging them to seek professional help. The Teen Letter Project is currently involved in setting up a Web page that will allow teens to give help to and receive help from one another.
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