"I feel good, I knew that I would. So good, so good, 'cause I got you." These lines, in all probability, are what helped James Brown go from 'popular black musician' to the world famous 'Godfather of soul.' Read it again. So simple it hurts; yet so peppy it makes you want to quit your day job and take up street dancing. Experts would call this track a 'stress buster.' For the rest of us, it's just plain old 'feel good' music.
There's something to be said about things that make us all feel good to be alive. Anecdotes about people who conquer all odds, soppy love songs where boys meet girls to watch sunsets together, mushy movie where boys defy girl's fathers to elope with them, or just inspirational quotes - they're all enough to make us sit up and start smiling at strangers.
There's tonnes of this 'feel-good' stuff available online too; sites specifically for those who suddenly feel the need for a little pep, or a story to tug at those well-worn heart strings. Like Don'tSweat. It's the place to go to for answers to questions like: 'I think I do too much at once. What are the consequences, and what should I do about it?' Home, families, work or relationships, it has a little something on everything. There's also a 'Compassion Corner,' thought of the day, and regular guest stories. If that's not enough, an online store offers goodies like 'Don't sweat the small stuff, and it's all small stuff' on Hardcover or audio book.
Did you know that Al Gore Sr., father of US Vice President Al Gore, once said, "No matter how hard the loss, defeat might serve as well as victory to shape the soul and let the glory out."
If that's got your head nodding, go try Inspiration Peak for comments down the ages, on everything from life, to justice, dreams, kindness, success and joy. It's also got poetry, short stories and books on Buddhism, health, living, meditation and even native wisdom. And yes, you can also leave your email address behind for a free Inspiration Peak weekly message.
Getting to what some of us could call, 'the Baap of Feel-Good,' ladies and gentlemen, the best selling Chicken Soup for the Soulis online. Can you imagine that this big money spinner was actually turned down by 33 publishers before it hit big time? While some thought it was too 'nicey-nice,' others said 'nobody wants to read a book of little stories,' while still others just said a plain 'no!'.
So much for recognising a good opportunity.
Its pages give weary souls an archive of featured stories encompassing everything from Chicken Soup for the Sports Fan's Soul to Chicken Soup for the Parent's Soul, College Soul, Woman's Soul, Couple's Soul, Kid's Soul as well as the Writer's Soul. Great stories of your own can also be submitted.
Back to quotes, and you'll get a lot of them at Motivational Quotes Apart from basic inspirational stuff, prayers, and a huge database, its sections introduce you to a lot of motivational people. You get links, free 'motivating' newsletters, forums, the 'Motivational Classifieds,' and even motivating art, whatever that is.
For generations weaned on the Reader's Digest classic mix n'match of humour, inspiration and mush, its US site should bring about some déjà vu. The better option, though, is the Readers Digest My Angel.
A desktop icon bringing with it daily messages of inspiration, My Angel gives you regular memos of hope and happiness to live by. 'Poems that touch your heart' and 'little threads from the tapestry of life' are what you can expect. The angels, however, don't come cheap, and this one can be yours only with a subscription to the Digest. Still, a small price to pay for kicking off 365 days on the right note.
Want to smile? Laugh? Cheer someone up? Ponder a new perspective? All immediately? Go the CyberStory way and browse around for stories, quotes, and more stories to get you back on track.
Something close to home, maybe? There's AttitudeIndia. It's got quotes about India, a Positive Attitude Club, motivational quotes, success stories, a section called 'smile makers,' and even a Penpals junction.
There are a lot more sites and pages full to the brim with goodness, but the last stop, for now, is The Positive Press. It's your place for stories like one on a 'Bunny Museum.' Apparently, a guy called Steve gave a girl called Candace a plush bunny for Valentines Day. She, in turn, gave him a porcelain bunny. Bunnies were then exchanged between the two daily, and Voila! Instant bunny museum at home -- filled with 12,000 bunny collectibles and six real bunnies -- now open to the public. Just like the home page tells you, it's 'Good news every day' out here.
So leave aside the hijacks, robberies, and political gaffes. Find some mushy good stuff to get those smiles back in a hurry. At the end of the day, you know a little Chicken Soup never hurt anybody.
Ask James Brown.
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