I had high expectations for this book, "Inspire Me!" ever since I learned about the father-daughter project that inspired its writing. My expectations were exceeded. This is quite simply a terrific little gem of a book. I have already forwarded many of the pithy quotations to clients, family members, and friends, and am recommending this book to anyone who will listen.
Attorney Paul Ayoub serves as Chairman of the Board for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital - one of the world's preeminent centers for research into cancer in children. He inherited that role from his father, "Big Joe" Ayoub, who had met St. Jude's founder and visionary, Danny Thomas, many years ago. Actor/comedian Thomas had envisioned creating a place where children with cancer and their families could come for treatment without having to worry about the costs. Big Joe shared with Mr. Thomas not only Lebanese heritage, but a passion for reaching out to those less fortunate. So they raised funds and built St. Jude's. When Danny Thomas died, his daughter, actress Marlo Thomas, picked up the torch and continues to tell the world the St. Jude's story. So it is wonderfully fitting that the father-daughter team of Paul and Lizzie Ayoub should follow in the footsteps of Danny and Marlo Thomas in using their creative abilities to create a book that inspires and amplifies the St. Jude's story. It is important to know that all profits from the sale of this book are being donated to St. Jude's
This book of quotations is organized into twelve thematic sections, with each chapter introduced by a gorgeous black and white photo by Boston photographer, Mitch Weiss. The photos address the topic at hand by using shadow and light. Publisher Michael Winston and Designer Kate Terrado have put together a stunningly beautiful volume that makes for a wonderful gift, or as something to place in your office waiting area or your coffee table at home.
Allow me to offer a small sampling of the wonderful quotations that make up the substance of this inspiring book.
"The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another." William James
"The beautiful thing about fear is, when you run to it, it runs away." Robin S. Sharma
"I not only use all the brains I have, but all I can borrow." Woodrow Wilson
"The secret of a man who is universally interesting is that he is universally interested." William Dean Howells
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Some people see things as they are and say 'Why?' I see things that never were and say 'Why not?'" George Bernard Shaw (often quoted by Robert F. Kennedy)
"Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it." Dwight David Eisenhower
"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words." C.S. Lewis
"When you are paralyzed by fear, invite curiosity in, they can't live in your brain at the same time." Ruth Gaviria
"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength." Corrie Ten Boom
If you enjoyed this appetizer, then I encourage you to buy the book and ingest a full meal of these quotations. They will not only fill and heal your soul, they will help to bring healing to the children at St. Jude's.
Enjoy!
Al
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