UPDATE: The winners for this giveaway have already been chosen. They are:
- Vanessa Fisher
- ljchern
- kbennett10486
- Jon
Today I’m excited to run a giveaway for two books that I believe complement each other nicely—the site’s latest collaborative project, Tiny Buddha’s Guide to Loving Yourself and In the Garden of Thoughts, a New York Times bestselling inspirational book, written by my new friend Dodinsky.
About In the Garden of Thoughts
I was fortunate to connect with Dodinsky on Facebook, where he runs a popular page called “Positive Outlooks” that’s followed by over two million people.
Though his heartening images and quotes were what originally caught my eye, I’m most inspired by his charisma, kindness, and…well, positive outlook!
Through countless email exchanges he’s revealed a joyful, uplifting presence that never fails to incite a smile.
His book, In the Garden of Thoughts, is quite similar. It’s tiny but powerful, with beautiful illustrations and positive messages for reflection and inspiration.
Offering some insight into the book’s title, Dodinsky has written, “I truly believe that within us, there is a Garden of Thought in which we can find solace whenever we are going through a storm. The response to my work shows that there are many on the same path. Each of us needs words that bring comfort, and an understanding that one is not alone when facing adversity.”
About Tiny Buddha’s Guide to Loving Yourself
Launched earlier this week on October 8th, Tiny Buddha’s Guide to Loving Yourself is a collaborative book featuring a collection of stories from Tiny Buddha contributors, along with tips to help you feel good about yourself and your life.
The book shares 40 unique perspectives and insights on topics related to loving yourself, including: realizing you’re not broken, accepting your flaws, releasing the need for approval, forgiving yourself, letting go of comparisons, and learning to be authentic.
Much like Dodinsky, I started Tiny Buddha and created this book because I believe there is a healing power in recognizing that we are never alone with our challenges.
And there’s nothing wrong with us for what we’ve been through or what we’re going through.
No matter how we’ve struggled, no matter what our flaws or weaknesses, we are worthy of being fully seen—and we can make a difference in the world by doing it.
I hope this books helps you remember, in times of doubt, that you are beautiful, imperfections and all, and you can thrive not in spite of them, but because of them.
The Giveaway
Up for grabs are two copies of Tiny Buddha’s Guide to Loving Yourself and two copies of In the Garden of Thoughts (to go to a total of four winners).
If you’ve already purchased a copy of Tiny Buddha’s Guide to Loving Yourself, you can still enter the giveaway, because I’d like to send a copy to someone you love with a special note from you.
To enter:
- Leave a comment on the post sharing the most inspiring thing you’ve seen or heard lately.
- Tweet: RT @tinybuddha Book Giveaway: Tiny Buddha’s Guide to Loving Yourself & In the Garden of Thoughts http://bit.ly/16AifAx
If you don’t have a Twitter account, you can still enter by completing the first step.
You can enter until midnight PST on Monday, October 14th. Have a great weekend everyone!
About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others to do the same. You can find her books, including Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal and Tiny Buddha’s Worry Journal, here and learn more about her eCourse, Recreate Your Life Story, if you’re ready to transform your life and become the person you want to be.
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Though I run this site, it is not mine. It's ours. It's not about me. It's about us. Your stories and your wisdom are just as meaningful as mine. 
I released twelve balloons in memory of the hurt, pain, disappointment and loses that I had experienced over the past several years. I allowed six to represent memories that were not good. However I allowed another six to represent the good that was coming my way. I released the hurt and the things that were hindering me first and then I released the good. I allowed it to be symbolic of my conscious decision to let what I could not change go. However I wanted to welcome in the new that was being given to me.
One of the most inspiring things I have seen lately is 9 year old Asean Johnson standing up against powerful public leaders against school closings, and becoming the youngest speaker at the 50th anniversary march on Washington celebrating Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy. He is more eloquent than many speakers many times his age. I admire his fearlessness and heart.
My friends, Holli and Shane, recently lost their son, Carter. He was born with 1p36 chromosome deletion syndrome and his little body couldn’t withstand all the troubles it had him endure. Carter’s parents both got clean before he was born and managed to stay clean through it all. Their son helped them love again and he inspired many people through his journey. Holli and Shane continue to inspire others with their hopeful message of life and recovery.
I saw this video from Shots of Awe about “Day of the Girl” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSpl3KEHVSk&feature=c4-overview&list=UUlYb9NpXnRemxYoWbcYANsA) It’s about the power of female education. I loved it because it’s still very hard to be a girl in most parts of the girls. Even in the western industrial countries there’s still a fair amount of discrimination: women earning less and so forth.
I am at the (psychiatric) hospital for my depression and the nurses are just awesome (literally, I am in awe). There are patients that have more serious conditions than me and the nurses are so patient and devoted and they help everybody. And when you talk to them, you realize they are regular people with their own problems at home and their own health problems. They are superheroes.
The most inspiring thing for me is my bird with telepathic gifts, LOL! It’s my bday today and she came home after being gone for almost half a week… as if she knew it was a special day. Even animals can have special gifts. <3
Since I don’t have a twitter account, I shared it on my Facebook (:
The most inspiring thing I’ve heard lately is to be mindful all the time. It is actually taught by Buddha and it inspires me to live in the moment, not to dwell on the past and not to worry about the future. I try to make use of “now” as much as I can. I found out about this idea while doing research on college paper and I’m so glad I did. (:
The most inspiring thing I’ve experienced recently was sitting on the shore of the gulf as a thunderstorm rolled in over the water. I watched the storm clouds transform the sky with their majesty. As an effort in practicing presence and awareness, I was truly there and it was beautiful. My soul found sorrow, joy, peace, serenity, hope. All in one moment. Presence. Presence is the most inspiring thing I’ve experienced recently.
The most inspirational thing I’ve heard recently is during an interview with Malala, the girl that was shot by the Taliban. She said that she was not angry with her shooters and would fight for education for their daughters too. Such dedication, selfless compassion and drive in the face of violent opposition.
Retweeted at https://twitter.com/SemayawiBeth !
The power of daily gratitude lists is a continual inspiration to me.
I picked up a very inspiring, change your life now pearl the other day from a blog post, “be the love you want to have.” In the midst of relationship struggles, that pretty much says it all.
you were very brave there. congrats to new beginnings
hope you recover soon
I read Tiny Buddha almost daily and enjoy the commonality of experience as well as the insights and wisdom expressed by people who are nearly always younger than I (62)…and yet their words often speak to me and my situations perfectly. As Yosy Flug says in the poem “On the Road”, ” …We are here, Hidden under various disguises, Posted, As guards, guides and companions, Along your life’s journey, Waiting, To give you assistance, To extend a helping hand, To provide succor….” I am truly grateful for the divine sparks I recognize in each person who shares a part of themselves with me.
The most inspiring thing I have heard recently was from a young lady that I mentor, her name is Hope. She was a heroin addict and was on her deathbed when she saw the look in her mother’s eyes that she was going to lose her daughter to addiction. When Hope left the hospital, she went to a recovery home, she had tried getting sober many times and failed. I have been working with this beautiful woman for over a year now, she has been clean and sober for over 2 years! During this time, she has been making new choices, making amends for her old behavior and helping other addicts. She left me a voice message two weeks ago, and in a quivering voice, she said her therapist told her that she was very smart, and for the first time in her life, she was actually able to hear it and accept the compliment. She said that she is slowly starting to believe good things about herself. I swear, her voice sounds different, more at peace. This is amazing and beautiful to me, because I have learned through my own journey that it does not matter how many people tell you wonderful things about yourself, if you don’t believe them, you remain in pain and create your own suffering. I remember the moment I began to play with the idea that people were right when saying nice things about me. What a beautiful thing to witness for another wonderful soul.
I sent some money to someone else’s phone in error, about US$0.25. The lady called me and said that she would send it back and I thought it was so nice as it really wasn’t much money but the fact that she did renewed my faith in people as I was quite sad at how selfish people were in my office, they are like crabs in a barrell. I was a bit down about it as I have been working at my job for a year now and have made no connections like I have at previous places I’ve worked.
The most inspiring thought that I have been working with in learning how to positively deal with difficult people and difficult situations is to remember that everyone is fighting their own personal battles. I have my things that I am currently working through to improve myself. I must first show compassion ot myself, but just as important, I must show compassion to other people I encounter in my everyday life no matter how brief it may be. We are all connected through suffering and the desire to alleviate said suffering.
Thank you for a chance to share. I think for me, turning 46 yrs old and reflecting on my dad’s death in 2011, how it is so permanent, I realized that I have a choice. I can continue to live my life in a “I wish things were better” mode and live in regret or actually do something proactive to MAKE it happen. I’m so thankful for these insightful blog posts and that we have the ability to share wisdom to help us all become better.
Children, their simple wisdom (they really should write for Tiny Buddha, I think) and resiliency inspire me every day. The other day, I just sat and watched a brilliant, beautiful child solve a series of little problems. She just happily muttered along to herself, listening to her own reasoning, and logic, and wisdom, and she persevered with such kindness toward herself and her little problems, that her happy little strategies created her success. She just beamed with self-love. And she inspired me to do the same.
Wow. I just (a few moments ago) listened to Sera Beak speak at Emerging Woman. Still have tears in my eyes…her message broke my little heart right open. The question she asked us to consider as we create and connect – is this in alignment with my soul…knowing that soul alignment doesn’t mean “easy” or even “pain-free”, we take those steps in faith and trust, to honor alignment. Powerful. (The way she spoke was far more eloquent and moving!) Whew.
Tweeted!
I’d like to share an experience that when I think about it still makes me stop and smile. A few months ago I was working front desk at a gym that happened to have a lot of elderly members for physical therapy. One morning one of our female “regulars” who must have been in her late 70s came in with her husband who was suffering from Alzheimer’s. I was having a particularly rough morning since my relationship with my boyfriend was falling apart and I suffer from depression and anxiety. I guess this must have shown on my face because as I was checking in the always pleasant couple, the man took my hand and asked me “why aren’t you smiling today? you always smile.” Having checked this couple in to the gym probably hundreds of times, this was the first time I had ever heard the man speak! And naturally probably out shock, my smile appeared, and then so did his. His wife began to tear up and hug him and she said “he hasn’t been coherent in a very long time; thank you for your smile.” Whenever I feel crappy and I’m out in public I try to keep a pleasant demeanor and remember that my smile made a significant impact on someone who was of very few words – but trust me, he made them count.
“..that said, i believe that people who live in stressed conditions can develop the tools they need for transforming their communities and their environment for the better. by doing so, places of crisis become places of hope. for me, the communities i worked with in caracas and in amsterdam are just that. they articulate a new culture of living that other communities, in seemingly more stable environments, can learn from in search for a sustainable existence”- m.potrc
It’s amazing to me I’d never heard or considered the concept of self-compassion before, but it’s so very powerful and it’s made such a difference in my life.
Thank you for sharing this giveaway. The most inspiring thing I’ve witnessed lately is the No More movement against domestic violence and sexual assault. The theme of having No More Excuses and No More Silence is so uplifting that hundreds of survivors have been publicly sharing their experiences for the first time, finally feeling safe and secure enough in this movement to use it as a platform for sharing. The courage demonstrated by the survivors is inspirational and encourages me to share my own survival story as well. October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, and I’ve been inspired by NoMore.org to donate to the cause, share the PSA with my friends and colleagues, and learn more about the staggering statistics of domestic violence and sexual assault. “Together, we can end domestic violence & sexual assault.” Thank you again!
My inspiration, my friend Chelsea. She has had a rough year, nothing too out of the ordinary for a mid-twenties woman trying to find herself and her passion. She has always been the most selfless, kind and caring person I’ve ever met, which is why she’s my best friend. She is an advocate for the MS Society, healthy living, clean eating and living out the golden rule. She has quickly decided to quit her career to move to South Korea in order to teach young children. Although she is nervous, as anyone would be, for this huge adventure, she is brave and courageous. She is my inspiration. My inspiration to be myself, to be brave, to follow my dreams, to be kind to others and love the world, mother nature and everyone in it. Surround yourself with positive people, places and ideas…and your life WILL change.
Also, I tweeted to share this giveaway: https://twitter.com/amandairel/status/388712179853058049
http://www.businessinsider.com/malala-yousafzai-left-jon-stewart-speechless-2013-10?fb_action_ids=10201215783935110&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map={%2210201215783935110%22%3A652094628156969}&action_type_map={%2210201215783935110%22%3A%22og.recommends%22}&action_ref_map
I recently watched that interview! It’s so inspiring how such a young girl put her safety on the line to fight for women’s education all over the world. She is awesome.
He’s an amazing little boy with a huge heart full of passion. I watch him a lot on SoulPancake
My mother is terminally ill. Although thinking of dying may be a depressing thought, walking with my mother in this experience has been insightful for me as a daughter and a mother. Through the gift of Hospice I have been learning there are many journeys in life and dying has it’s own journey. The book given to me by Hospice has a poem describing death. It talks about standing on a seashore and watching a ship disappear and as it disappears from my sight; somewhere waiting on a distance shore there are other eyes seeing the arrival of the ship. That has brought me great peace and comfort.
I just listened to the grandfather of one of the fatal victims in the Sandy Hook school shooting. Just days prior to the tragedy, my friend’s grandson had written three words on his chalkboard at home: “Nurturing. Healing. Love.” My friend and his family have made the choice to “choose love” and also have started the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Foundation (http://www.jesselewischooselove.org/), so they can teach kids to be aware that they have a choice to change an angry thought into a loving one. Their purpose is to teach others to choose love, and that mission of compassion, coming from a family who lost a six-year-old in a brutal shooting, is very inspiring.
http://rileyjennifer.blogspot.ca/2012/04/quote-of-day_13.html
michael j. fox on his new show
The most inspiring thing I’ve seen lately – everything I am learning to open my eyes to in a mindful way. The most inspiring thing I’ve heard isn’t just one thing – it is the shared message of compassion and hope that I’ve been reading, hearing, learning, and sharing that comes from some small but powerful books – like Tiny Buddha, like Mindfulness for Beginners, like Buddhist Boot Camp, like The Happiness Trap… in January this year, I was just another middle-aged veteran considering suicide; exhausted by struggle, saddened by trauma, fearful, unwell, and seemingly unable to escape a profound feeling of desperation and futility, I wanted to ‘just finish it’… Life is very different now, and I am hopeful, and healing, and very inspired indeed by the power in mindful living and mindful loving.
The most inspiring thing that I’ve witnessed lately is a chat over lunch with my CEO from my workplace. We are trying to develop an outreach program that would turn the tide of the AIDS epidemic in the Ukraine. We are collaborating on trying to put together a fundraising program that will encourage everyone to give a dollar or two for the cause, and network the cause. The more the idea developed in our minds, the more we saw that this is a matter of the heart – true compassion. The idea was not only to donate a dollar for the cause, but to count on human connection – to ask for more help. In the end we want to build a web of people who helped turn the tide and to show how this great work started from a single person’s initiative to donate a dollar, and the effort to ask another person to do the same. I’d like to believe that we haven’t lost the core of human connection – oneness. In the end our goal is not only to help eradicate the AIDS epidemic in the Ukraine, but to help people see the big picture, that one person’s effort can lead to a web of people putting in the same effort, and if you see that big web of interconnections, you see a whole in humanity.
The most inspiring thing I saw was and interview with the girl who was shot in the head by the Tailban for going to school. Her wisdom, lovingkindness, strength, and understanding were not only above her years but a rare and beautiful things.
Malala Yousafzai’s interview on the Daily Show was the most inspiring thing I’ve seen lately. She took such a tragic event and turned it into something so positive and inspiring to others, creating good from bad. Her calm and peaceful demeanor is something I strive for in my daily life, focusing on the good and appreciating what you have – not what you don’t.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-october-8-2013/malala-yousafzai
The most inspiring thing I have seen recently is walking a recent Light the Night event for LLS in honor of my sister who is currently fighting Leukemia. To see all of the many balloons and lights of survivors as well as supporters such as my family as we walked to support my sister. To see such a big crowd of people who came together for one goal of fighting blood cancer. I was teary eyed the whole time and we chanted my sister’s name as we crossed the finish line.
My young son is my inspiration as of late…last Monday our sweet little dog BINGO went to the animal hospital on his 10th Birthday. He was very ill, had a high temp. trouble walking and would not eat. After a few days at the vets he seemed to be turning the corner, we were told we could bring him home on Fri to continue his care as the vet did not have weekend care for Bingo. My son while he had to go to school wanted to miss soccer practice to come home and care for Bingo. He could hardly wait till 230pm so that he could be home to help Bingo. Soon after Robert left for school we got a call that Bingo had passed. My husband and I with hearts so very heavy had to tell our lillte buddy that his beloved companion since before he could talk would not be coming home after all. I never before had a dog myself and the pain was more that I could ever imagine. After a good long cry the first thing Robert said was we have to go Thank the ladies at the Vet hospital for caring for Bingo in his final hours. Robert you have made us so proud thinking of others in your time of great sorrow, a lesson I shall never forget. Thank You .
The most inspiring thing I have seen lately was my professor who just had two back surgeries come back to school to direct his concert band for the first time since the surgeries. He was still recovering, but his passion was much stronger than the surgery
I want to share a quote that is really fitting for me right now. It’s a great reminder to think of the future and also be in the present. Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.
Robert Louis Stevenson
The most inspiring this I’ve encountered this week was part of a quote from actor Anthony Hopkins. He said, “My philosophy is: It’s none of my business what other people say of me and think of me.” I actually read it over and over again because it was so profound. It made me realize that I put too much stock in other’s opinions of myself and expectatios. Instead, I should be focusing on what I think of myself, who I am, and who I want to be.
The most inspiring thing I’ve seen in the last few days is the interview of Malala Yousafzai on the Daily Show. After facing death she has become an advocate for women’s rights and access to education. She is wise beyond her years and I feel blessed to have watched something so unforgettable.
I met an older lady( late 70’s) at the grocery store the other day, who while chatting about the weather said that although it might be cool and foggy, it is still such a joy to watch the changing colors of the leaves. She had had a stroke 8 months previous, and didnt know if she was going to be here to witness another fall yet alone another birthday ( which had been a couple of days before our meeting.) She was just such a positive lady with a beautiful smile enjoying the smallest things, that we so usually don’t take the time to. I hope that I can be like that.
The most inspirational thing I’ve seen lately is this interview with Matthieu Ricard: http://www.onbeing.org/program/happiest-man-world-meeting-matthieu-ricard/201
and the following research I did into Ricard and his life only inspired me further. He’s very educated, very driven and active, yet very peaceful and serene. His photography is spectacular and manages to express his spirituality through his work. His profit goes to helping those in need and giving back to the world, but he also spends the necessary time on himself to improve his mental well-being and to progress spiritually.
His happiness in life is almost tangible, and testing at a University confirms he is happy well beyond the average person. I’m already working on picking up several of his books and trying to learn as much as possible of his teachings and way of life.
We may really have a garden of thoughts within us that we haven’t tapped into yet. It’s the divine part of us.
The most inspirational thing well lets see that would have to be my doctor. He has helped me to understand so much about people in my life and how to deal with them. He today inspired me to look into school in a choice i would never of thought of. He gives me that positive push i need to get through the week. I know he is only doing his work but he has helped me more in two months then others have done in a year. But i also have this website and book to thank for helping too. so thank you.
http://www.isitallaboutme.com/recent/