Who doesn't love a good piece of advice? I'm always looking for those few magical words that have the potential to solve a problem that is taking up too much space in my brain! That's why I am so excited about our newest book, Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Advice that Changed My Life. It's an inspirational read for anyone looking for a dose of guidance and motivation.

Each story in the book is a testament to the power of advice, and how it can be a game-changer when it comes from the right person at the right time. The stories are not just heartwarming and uplifting, but they are also practical and actionable. Who doesn't love that?

Here are previews of two of my favorite stories from the book that will provide you with the inspiration to move forward:

If you don’t ask, they can’t say yes.
In her story, "Just Ask," Nancy Emmick Panko knew she needed to learn how to try something new after her historical fiction novel was published. As writers learn, getting published is only half the battle. Marketing and publicity for their books are the only ways they’re going to be discovered by readers and that’s tough to pull off. You have to approach newspapers, magazines, TV and radio shows, and bookstores to try to get articles written and appearances booked.

But then Nancy’s wise friend, Cynthia, said this: “If you don’t ask, you don’t ever allow anyone to say yes. What’s the worst thing they could say? No? Get lost? But what if they say yes?”

Nancy mustered up her courage and she started asking. That led to all kinds of articles and radio and TV appearances. She says, “How did it happen? I simply asked.”

Remember you deserve to be treated right.
In Risa Nye's story, "Not Chopped Liver," Risa was prepared to be bored when her parents dragged her to the bar mitzvah of a kid she didn’t even know. As she sat alone after the ceremony, avoiding her parents, she certainly didn’t want to strike up a boring conversation with the old lady who sat down next to her. But the lady started asking her questions, and before she knew it Risa was confessing that her boyfriend was unreliable and poorly behaved.

She also told the lady there was this other guy, a friend. He was a good listener with good manners. He was always there for her. He took her to the movies and didn’t mind when she cried. But still, her boyfriend—he was the one who could be so romantic and charming, at times.

That’s when the old lady leaned in and said, “You should never take a back seat to anyone. You don’t let people treat you that way. Not a boy, not anyone.” And then she added, “That other boy, the one who took you to the movie, he sounds like a better bet. Stick with him.”

Risa has been married to that “other boy” for fifty years now.




Amy Newmark