"Just the other morning I looked one of my fears in the eye. Well, not exactly the eye - that is a little too brave for me in this instance. Let’s just say I slowed down long enough to face my fear, instead of allowing it to trigger my knee-jerk default reaction."

The author faced their fear by slowing down and confronting it, instead of reacting impulsively.

Learning From What Scares You The Most

Why do we set the bar so high for others to celebrate us on our birthdays and so low for celebrating ourselves? Why can’t we believe that we deserve to be celebrated the other 364 days of the year? How can we expect others to celebrate us if we don’t celebrate ourselves- every day. This short story will help reframe situations where we are attached to an outcome and remind us that life is truly what we make it.

Celebrate yourself every day, don't set the bar too high for others to celebrate you, and remember that life is what you make it.

Life Is What We Make It

A story about the importance of letting go of what we think we know so that we can be present and intimate with life.

Letting go of preconceptions allows for a closer connection with life, as explored in this poignant story.

Empty Your Cup

A story about our habitual pattern of judging mind. Step out of the trance and live for now.

Break free of judgmental thinking and live in the present moment.

Box Full of Kisses

In this story, we follow a young lady who has lost her hope. Her self-doubt is in control of her journey so she embarks on a quest to overcome the self-doubt that plagues her mind. Embark on a wonderful, inspiring adventure.

A young woman battles self-doubt and embarks on a quest to overcome it, leading to a wonderful and inspiring adventure.

Choosing Hope

A story about learning acceptance of things we find challenging.

Taming the Wolf

Story that will make you reflect on your own behavior. What are you holding on to?

Reflect on your behavior by pondering what you are holding on to, inspired by a thought-provoking story.

2 Monks and a Lady

A story about recognizing the importance of trusting our struggles.

Importance of trusting struggles: A story.

Trusting Our Struggles

Listen to this classic story by Beatrix Potter about the naughty Tom Kitten's antics.

Beatrix Potter's classic tale of Tom Kitten's mischievous behavior.

Tom Kitten

Listen to this famous story of how the boy Arther came to be recognised as the King of all England by pulling the sword out of the stone where no-one else could do it.

Boy becomes King by pulling sword from stone.

King Arthur And The Sword In The Stone

This is a classic story about shifting our thinking and doing what we are passionate about.

Shift your thinking and pursue your passions.

The Starfish Story

Story that allows us to reflect our own conditioning.

Reflection on personal conditioning through storytelling.

Shark, Bait Fish and You

You may not be able to make a difference in the world but you can make a difference in someone's world.

Make a difference in someone's world, even if you can't change the world.

Making a Difference in the World

Are we always open to beauty wherever we may find it?

Exploring our capacity to appreciate beauty in unexpected places.

The Violinist In The Metro Station

This Zen story demonstrates the steady presence of neutrality.

Zen story showcasing the constant existence of neutrality.

Neutrality

This is a classic story about presence, love, and living out purpose.

Story about presence, love, and living purposefully.

The Dancing Master

This story is about the Baal Shem Tov, an 18th century magician, mystic and healer, who founded the movement of spiritual renewal that swept through easter Europe in the 1700s. The story is of a fateful meeting between Jacob Joseph, a well known religious master of the time, and the Ball Shem. Jacob had apparently heard of the Baal Shem before but had refused to join his ecstatic movement. The following is a story of their meeting, a story of surrender, as told by Marc Gafni.

18th century mystic Baal Shem Tov's fateful meeting with religious master Jacob Joseph, as recounted by Marc Gafni.

Give Up Control

Edward Espe Brown shares his beautiful experience and insight he gained whilst making biscuits over his life. We find ourselves comparing to others but this story illustrates how can we see the beauty in what we have. Please enjoy

Edward Espe Brown finds beauty in everyday experiences, inspiring others to appreciate what they have and not compare themselves to others.

Biscuits of Life

Adoption can be a remarkable, life-changing journey. For Serena, adoption gave her forever.

Serena's life was transformed by adoption.

Forever

Robin Hood: Chapter 2. What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? Well, in the case of Robin Hood and Little John, you get witty banter and laughs all around! Chapter 2 of 24

Robin Hood and Little John's witty banter and laughs continue in Chapter 2 of 24.

How Robin Hood Met Little John

A story about assertiveness, and how to flow with the moment rather than worrying.

Learn to be assertive and go with the flow, instead of worrying, in this story.

The Man Who Said Yes

Story about loving Kindness and Compassion. It can not only transform you but also others around you.

Love and compassion can transform both oneself and those around them, as shown in this story.

Doors of My Heart Are Open to You and Me

This is a powerful story, adapted from Steven Covey's book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective people, that explores the dramatic effect of paradigm shifts.

Adapted from Covey's book, this story illustrates the power of paradigm shifts.

Man on the Subway

This is a traditional story from China. It is the story of an old Chinese farmer who lived many years ago.

"Story of an old Chinese farmer from ancient times."

Good Luck Bad Luck

Discover the timeless wisdom of "The Stonecutter's Path," a Zen story about endurance, patience, and the journey to mastery. Through the humble work of a dedicated stonecutter, this tale reveals how true mastery is not found in the final result, but in the love and persistence we bring to each step of our path. #ZenStory #Mastery #Endurance #Patience #Wisdom #PersonalGrowth #Mindfulness #LifeLessons #Inspiration #InnerStrength

Explore "The Stonecutter's Path," a Zen story highlighting endurance, patience, and mastery through the humble journey of a dedicated stonecutter.

The Stonecutter's Path - A Zen Story

It's a fresh foggy morning in the countryside of Ireland. Wrap yourself up in some warm clothes and enter the gates of Doneraile Park in County Cork - Ireland. Ease your way through the pathways of these 18th-century landscaped grounds, and who knows where they will lead.

Explore the enchanting Doneraile Park in County Cork, Ireland, amidst foggy countryside, and discover the hidden beauty of its 18th-century landscapes.

A Foggy Morning In Ireland

Every Sunday morning I take a light jog with my dog down to the beach near my home...

Starfish

A short story about a woodchuck who dreams to find out how much wood he can chuck.

A woodchuck dreams of discovering how much wood he can chuck in a short story.

The Woodchuck Who Finds Out The Answer

Daphne is a unique elephant with an outrageous dream: to swing through the trees like a monkey.

Daphne, a unique elephant, dreams of swinging through trees like a monkey, defying traditional expectations.

The Elephant That Swung From Trees

The story of Abigail the Whale, on a search for her own, unique song.

Abigail the Whale embarks on a journey to find her own distinctive song in this captivating story.

The Whale Who Found Her Song

A dying woman and her estranged daughter have a confronting conversation about the nature of love. This story embraces the complexity of imperfect love and the frustration and heartache that goes with it. The conclusion is positive and motivating.

A dying woman and her daughter have a conversation about love's complexity, frustration, and heartache. The conclusion is positive and motivating.

A Difficult Truth

A story of one girl's journey about taking a leap of faith and beginning a new chapter in her life. Sometimes leaving your comfort zone can be a daunting time, but it can often be the greatest move of your life. Hopefully you'll find this to be an inspiring listen.

A girl takes a leap of faith and begins a new chapter in her life, inspiring others to leave their comfort zones for the greatest move of their life.

On the Right Track

Perhaps trusting life and not trying to control everything to the last drip will open wellsprings beyond our imagining in places we thought were dead. This is an allegorical story that encourages you to let go, take risks, trust more, and live freer.

Letting go and trusting life opens unexpected opportunities, as shown in an allegorical tale encouraging risk-taking and freedom.

Water in the Desert

Unplug from your day by listening to the magical story of how King Arther of England came to have the magical sword Excalibur and its scabbard.

Escape reality with King Arthur's Excalibur story and scabbard in this magical audio adventure.

King Arthur And Excalibur

This is a fairytale by the Brothers Grimm. As with many fairytales, it has a nice moral to the story, is somewhat adventurous, it's slightly repetitive and fun to listen to it. Suitable for children 6 and up. Enjoy.

Brothers Grimm fairytale with a moral, adventure, slight repetition, and enjoyable for ages 6+.

King Grisly Beard - The Brothers Grimm

What people thought was a Buddha made of clay was made of something very precious just like you and I.

Clay Buddha revealed to be precious material, mirroring worth of individuals.

The Clay Buddha of Thailand

It is an uplifting retelling of a traditional tale to encourage those who feel "cracked and leaky" to reframe their life and see their true beauty.

A revitalizing story inspires individuals to embrace their imperfections and find their inner beauty, overcoming feelings of inadequacy.

The Cracked Pot

A simple story of a phone call with Grandma. Weaving a deep and intimate connection with a splash of humor, I hope this story reminds you of a Grandma who's in or who has been in your life and makes you smile.

Heartwarming story of a phone call with Grandma that evokes fond memories and brings a smile.

A Phone Call with Grandma

The leaves had a special job – to protect all the creatures of the forest from the harsh elements. But, the leaves had not always known this purpose...

Leaves discover their purpose as protectors of the forest creatures from harsh elements.

The Legend Of The Leaves

This legend has been said to have been shared around the campfire of Lake Superior by a chief of the Chippewa tribe in the 1800's explaining the continual developments of nature.

Chippewa tribe chief shared a legend about nature's development around Lake Superior in the 1800s, passed down through the generations.

Shadow of the Moon

Dive into inspirational words from leaders like Nelson Mandela, who reminds us "It always seems impossible until it's done," and Henry Ford with his empowering belief, "Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right." Each quote is carefully selected to push you beyond limits, encouraging you to chase your dreams and embrace the journey to success. Start your day empowered, focused, and ready to conquer anything!

Inspirational quotes from leaders like Mandela and Ford push you beyond limits to chase your dreams and conquer anything.

Empowering Quotes to Drive You Forward

This is a story about a British cabbie... Photo by Reynaldo #brigworkz Brigantty from Pexels

"British cabbie story captured in photo by Reynaldo Brigantty."

Final Cab Ride

Welcome to the world of Zen-inspired tales, where wisdom and teachings flow like the tranquil river of ancient lands. Join me as we embark on a journey through stories that resonate across cultures and generations, inviting reflection, growth, and a deeper understanding of the human experience. With love, Your Dr. Livingstone

Journey through Zen tales for wisdom and reflection on the human experience, guided by Dr. Livingstone.

The Vine & The Rose - A Zen Tale

The final short story in our collection of Little Wizard Stories of Oz features two of our friends from the original story. Listen to their delightful adventure, and listen to all 6 of the short stories from the Land of Oz!

Listen to the final short story in the Little Wizard Stories of Oz collection, featuring two familiar friends, along with the other 5 stories.

The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman

A Zen story about letting go of negativity, and embracing positivity.

Zen story about releasing negativity and adopting positivity.

The Move

A Zen story about mindfulness of change, and how to remind oneself that change is inevitable, but suffering is optional.

A Zen story emphasizing mindfulness of change and reminding that change is inevitable but suffering is optional.

The Crystal Cup

A gentle story about a woman who receives an anonymous card with a mysterious message that ultimately puts a big smile on her face. Is beauty everywhere?

Mysterious message on anonymous card brings a smile to woman's face in gentle tale of finding beauty everywhere.

Beauty is Everywhere

The Path of the Soul is a journey one must take within. It is not for the weak or faint of heart. Whether you find yourself at the top or at the bottom, it is your soul that is keeping score on a completely different kind of game, one with different scorekeeping criteria in this very brief game of life we call the human experience. One of the most significant things you can do is to get extremely clear….absolutely crystal clear….as to the criteria you are using to not only evaluate the life you have lived but to set your own definition of measurement for the life you intend to create with whatever time you have left ahead. This is the Path of the Soul.

The Path of the Soul is a challenging internal journey where one's soul keeps score, and clarity on life evaluation and goals is crucial.

The Path Of The Soul

An original short story about a man who takes his dog on a peaceful afternoon canoe ride and encounters the beauty of Heart Lake and its surroundings. (Inspired by my partner Jake, our dog Bo, and written on the deck overlooking Heart Lake on a peaceful summer afternoon.)

Man and dog enjoy a tranquil canoe ride, exploring the serene Heart Lake and its picturesque surroundings in a short story.

An Afternoon Canoe Ride

A teeny-tiny story and meditation in one! Please feel free to join Shy Bunny for a few moments, as she becomes quiet and breathes slowly while looking up at the sky. This little story aims to illustrate how meditation can help us to regain perspective if we tend to worry a lot. When we feel better, our worries feel more manageable too! Background music: Heaven is Here by Music Of Wisdom

Join Shy Bunny in a short meditation to regain perspective and manage worries through slow breathing and stargazing.

Peaceful Morning: Stories