Inspiring Stories

Recent Encounters

Nearly every week, I have the pleasure of meeting hundreds of amazing people when I speak at events around the country and through emails sent to Couragetogive.com. These people keep me inspired and remind me why I share the Courage to Give message. Here are a few of those recent encounters…

Annie Wignall >>
Rene Brecto >>

Peggy Mineau >>
Sharon Roll >>
Jin Williams >>
Dallas Woodburn >>
Coach Tony Pierce >>
Maury >>

Courage to Give Book Series Excerpts

The Courage to Give Series are books of inspiring stories of people, both famous and unknown, who have suffered great physical or emotional hardship and went beyond their own suffering to help others. As they reached out to others, they discovered that their healing was predicated on making a contribution to a better world. The following two stories are excerpts from these books.

Be Happy, Be Useful: Bea Salazar

There was a time in my life when I was in so much physical and emotional pain that I just didn't think I could go on. I spent every day and every night thinking about my pain and how useless my life had become. Then one morning, I found a little boy in a Dumpster. And the minute I saw him, I realized that there were children whose pain was much greater than my own. God led me to find that child, and to find all the children I've worked with since that day. In working to help those children, my own pain has been diminished. And my life has become a tremendous joy.
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Order the book "The Courage to Give" >>

Kids Konnected: Jon Wagner-Holtz

When I was nine years old, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. At that time we were living in a small town in Massachusetts, south of Boston. My mother's diagnosis was devastating to our family. We didn't know what it would mean in the long run. Her illness was extremely tough for me. When she came home from the hospital after surgery, I felt it was my job to be strong for her. After her first chemotherapy treatment, she was very weak and sick to her stomach all the time. I was really angry. My mom was such a good person. How could this be happening to her?But I never expressed my true feelings to her. I thought she had enough to worry about without having to worry about me.
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Order the book "Teens with the Courage to Give">>

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