I was a neurotic for years. I was anxious and depressed and selfish. Everyone kept telling me to change. I resisted them, and I agreed with them, and I wanted to change, but simply couldn't no matter how hard I tried. What hurt the most was that, like the others, my best friend kept insisting that I change. So I felt powerless and trapped. Then, one day, he said to me, "Don't change. I love you just as you are."

- Anthony De Mello

A Morning Prayer, by Marianne Williamson

Dear God,

Thank You for this new day,
its beauty and its light.
Thank You for my chance to begin again.
Free me from the limitations
of yesterday.
Today may I be reborn.
May I become more fully a
reflection of Your radiance.
Give me strength and compassion
and courage and wisdom.
Show me the light in
myself and others.
May I recognize the good
that is available everywhere.
May I be, this day, an instrument
of love and healing.
Lead me into gentle pastures.
Give me deep peace that
I might serve You most deeply.

Amen.

An Unexpected Healing Story from Diet and Nutrition by Rudolf Ballentine

The story is told of an Irishman lying on his deathbed who was asked by his physician whether he had a last wish. Rallying enough to reply, the dying man responded, "Yes. I would like a cold pork pie and a bottle of stout." His wife shuddered, sure that it would kill him, but the doctor took her aside and gently reminded her that since her husband could not, in any case, recover it would be best to let him have this last wish fulfilled. So a friend was dispatched to the corner pub and soon returned with the pie and stout. The patient swallowed it down almost in one gulp whereup he stood up looking much improved. He then proceeded to make a rapid recovery.