Chicken Soup for the Soul

My husband loves to read Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books and lately my elder son has started to enjoy them too. The series consists of more than 300 books with vast variety of titles. Each book comprise of short stories and can be calming read for the bed time. Though we have different titles at home, our favorite one is Chicken Soup for the Soul - 101 Stories To Open The Heart And Rekindle The Spirit. Few days back we read a very touching poem written by famous writer and family counselor Dorothy L. Nolte. I am sharing it here and hopefully you will relate to it too.


Children Learn What They Live

If children live with criticism,
they learn to condemn.

If children live with hostility,
they learn to fight.

If children live with fear,
they learn to be apprehensive.

If children live with pity,
they learn to feel sorry for themselves.

If children live with ridicule,
they learn to be shy.

If children live with jealousy,
they learn what envy is.

If children live with shame,
they learn to feel guilty.

If children live with tolerance,
they learn to be patient.

If children live with encouragement,
they learn to be confident.

If children live with praise,
they learn to appreciate.

If children live with approval,
they learn to like themselves.

If children live with acceptance,
they learn to find love in the world.

If children live with recognition,
they learn to have a goal.

If children live with sharing,
they learn to be generous.

If children live with honesty and fairness,
they learn what truth and justice are.

If children live with security,
they learn to have faith in themselves and in those around them.

If children live with friendliness,
they learn that the world is a nice place in which to live.

If children live with serenity,
they learn to have peace of mind.

With what are your children living?


Photograph courtesy dreamtime.com