A feel-good celebration for all

Chicken soup is one good food. It’s a global cuisine we all know to as a “cure-all” when we’re feeling a little under the weather. The warm flavors and comforting aroma that ease our body from a cold is much like the feeling we get whenever we nurture our souls. This November 12, we embrace that feeling with National Chicken Soup for the Soul Day.

From the inspirational book series Chicken Soup for the Soul, this holiday is all about celebrating who you are and the moments in your life that got you there. The book was published by motivational speakers Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield who, according to chickensoup.com, “started in 1993 with a simple idea: that people could help each other by sharing stories about their lives.” The first book consisted of 101 stories submitted to them from their audience, calling it Chicken Soup for the Soul because they wanted it to provide comfort, “just like their grandmothers’ cooking.” Beyond the two’s expectations, their comfort book has since expanded into a best-selling series spanning about 250 titles and over 500 million copies sold around the globe.

This collection made up of inspirational stories of ordinary people sharing their extraordinary experiences was widely cherished for its authenticity in bringing out hope on hopeless days. It conveys the very hearty sensations a bowl of chicken soup gives when you need to soothe your senses. By reflecting on your own story, you might see inspiration in something extraordinary, too.

That’s what this day is about; to celebrate yourself and recall whatever journey you’ve been on. You can meditate, look back on your achievements, or even read a book from the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Whatever way you want to cherish you, it’s good to do it with a nice, steamy bowl of chicken soup, perfect to warm you up this upcoming winter season.