When sifting through the book shelf at Barnes and Nobles, looking for a birthday gift, I came across this book. More of a reference book, John Cook has tried to compile and arrange famous quotations into different categories. Depending on your state of mind, you can choose a section and gain some inspiration or peace. The book is divided into different parts, each part covering a particular topic. It starts with quotes on Peace of mind, treads into quotes on preparing for success and overcoming negativity and ends with quotes on making your dreams come true. Each part is further divided into different sub-topics. For example, the part on overcoming negativity has quotes on fear, worry, doubts, risk, courage and ignorance.
In the introduction, the author explains as to how he ended up compiling these quotes into a book. Here is the excerpt from the introduction that speaks about it:
This book originated as a selection of life-affirming quotations I compiled for my nephews and niece for Christmas.
Because I was concerned that one of them might be too young for it, I wrote that they could "just put it away until you're ready for it...
"You'll be ready the first time things don't go the way you want them to, the first time you doubt your ability to do something, the first time you're tempted to quit or give up, the first time you fail at something.
"You'll be ready the first time you doubt a friend, or think you can't trust anyone...the first time you have to make an important choice...the first time you're afraid of something, or worried.
"You'll know when you're ready. When you are, these thoughts should give you the courage and confidence and spirit you need...and they'll remind you of the wonder and the joy of life, regardless of how dark things seem at the moment.
"I know they will...they always have for me."
Because I was concerned that one of them might be too young for it, I wrote that they could "just put it away until you're ready for it...
"You'll be ready the first time things don't go the way you want them to, the first time you doubt your ability to do something, the first time you're tempted to quit or give up, the first time you fail at something.
"You'll be ready the first time you doubt a friend, or think you can't trust anyone...the first time you have to make an important choice...the first time you're afraid of something, or worried.
"You'll know when you're ready. When you are, these thoughts should give you the courage and confidence and spirit you need...and they'll remind you of the wonder and the joy of life, regardless of how dark things seem at the moment.
"I know they will...they always have for me."
My suggestion would be to stock your bookshelf with this book. Everyone would need it at some point of time in life, if they have not had the need for it already.
