You are about to become acquainted with one of the greatest communities in the world. Not one consisting of houses, buildings, streets, shopping malls and schools, but one that resides in the very hearts and souls of people who share a common bond.
Each member of the “recovering community” has successfully overcome tremendous obstacles in their lives and in doing so find themselves in a better place physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Chicken Soup for the Recovering Soul will move, inspire and entertain you with the stories from only a few of the millions of people who have become part of the recovering community. You will quickly discover that these stories are not about pain and despair, but rather about hope and resiliency. They are not stories about strategies for change, but stories about the human spirit that will not be denied. These are the stories of people who are willing to share parts of their lives in order to help others.
Most people whose lives are touched by addiction and other problems feel completely alone. They believe that no one else would understand or appreciate their situation, and, although they begin their journey in solitude, they soon find many others who share similar experiences and are willing to help them.
Often facing daunting circumstances and ever-present self-doubt, they confront their fears of the future in order to change and find a better way to live. As you read, you’ll understand how an individual cannot do it alone, how mentors appear at the right time and place. And you’ll meet people who believed they needed no one’s help but began to reach out to others and be touched in return.
Restore your faith as our writers describe the birth, growth and nurturing of spirituality that enriches the lives of people in recovery. And for so many who struggled, feeling they had no choices, new “families” are found on every page as the authors share their discovery that families, friends and even our support groups can surround us with healthy behaviors.
You’ll be filled with awe, wonder and appreciation at the resilience of people in the face of great odds to not only overcome but thrive and grow from difficult, seemingly insurmountable circumstances. Their stories are a mixture of hope, inner strength and serenity.
And, although most of the stories in Chicken Soup for the Recovering Soul focus on overcoming addiction to alcohol and other drugs, we’ve shared a selection of pieces that illustrate how the process of recovery is now applied to other quality of life issues from depression to chronic illnesses. The concepts of recovery and the use of Twelve-Step programs are applicable to many different issues with equally successful results. Supporting each other is an effective tool and consequently the recovering community is constantly growing. We should not be surprised. When something works so well, it will become part of people’s lives.
Finally, one of the most cherished virtues in the life of a recovering individual is the resurrection of joy and one of the greatest indicators of recovery is a desire to share what you have found. The authors represented in Chicken Soup for the Recovering Soul want to share the hope, resilience, joy and spirituality that have touched their souls.
JACK CANFIELD & MARK VICTOR HANSEN