The Inspiration

First published in 1922, The Velveteen Rabbit follows life in a little boy's nursery where a new arrival, a stuffed bunny covered with inexpensive fabric, copes with the insecurity of being compared with the other playthings. As author Margery Williams writes, “ He was naturally shy, and being only made of velveteen, some of the more expensive toys quite snubbed him .” While he longed to fit in with his peers, the rabbit hoped even more to become special to the Boy.

Abandoned after the excitement of Christmas, the rabbit is soothed by the wise, old, “Skin Horse,” who predicts that the Boy will eventually love him. The horse is right, and the Velveteen Rabbit is selected to comfort the Boy through a terrible illness. The Boy's relationship with the bunny and the experiences they share transform it from a toy into something the Skin Horse calls Real . To paraphrase the horse, Real is what happens when you become your true self, not a contrived, shiny, pretend thing, and are loved despite, and maybe even because of, your imperfections.

A casual reading would lead anyone to conclude that Margery Williams had written a charming, kind, and sentimental story. But The Velveteen Rabbit is much more than a heartfelt tale. It is a classic parable, with the subtle power to provoke our deepest desires and inspire reflection. It reminds us of basic truths about what we all long for in our hearts. My book, The Velveteen Principles , honors the Williams classic by interpreting its message as an inspiration for life in our time.

What does it mean to be Real?

For the Velveteen Rabbit, becoming Real meant learning to be truly himself and not a version of something he thought he was supposed to be. Because it's based on our individuality, Real is different for everyone, just as life's meaning is different for everyone, too. But we can agree that in all cases it includes feelings of happiness and contentment, work that is engaging, relationships that feel satisfying, and enough love that we don't feel alone in the world. The Velveteen Principles can help you discover and develop your Real self, live with empathy and establish satisfying relationships. And the qualities that make us Real , including courage, honesty, gratitude, flexibility and honesty, help us to connect with others and live in a more engaged, appreciative and deeply satisfying way. Once you are Real , and you know that everything you say and do matters to others, you can also understand that we each leave a mark on the world that remains long after we're gone.

The Velveteen Principles

#1: Real is Possible
#2: Real is a Process
#3: Real is Emotional
#4: Real is Empathetic
#5: Real is Courageous
#6: Real is Honest
#7: Real is Generous
#8: Real is Grateful
#9: Real Can Be Painful
#10: Real is Flexible
#11: Real Love Endures
#12: Real is Ethical