Preview of Coming Attractions: A YEAR OF LIVING KINDLY – the Book!

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“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.” (Dalai Lama)

It was just over three years ago when I started this blog. My intent at the time was to spend a year learning all I could about kindness—about what it is and isn’t, how to live a kind life, why to live a kind life, and the science behind it all. My hope was that at the end of 2015 I would be a kinder person; if so, I would consider the effort to have been successful.

I’m happy to say the year was life-changing, though the changes may only have been evident to myself. I have not become a paragon of kindness. I can still be bitchy and cranky and oblivious, but those occurrences are less frequent. I am kinder, and I am so much more aware of kindness all around me. I am also happier.

While he’s never actually admitted it, I believe my husband hoped when I wrapped up 2015 I would set a different intention for 2016: a year of learning to vacuum or a year of reading all the books I buy and surround myself with.

Many of you, who’ve been following this blog since the early days, encouraged me to continue writing about kindness. A few of you even suggested I take it a step further and write a book. I ignored my husband and listened to you—and for that, I thank you!

It’s taken some time, but I am thoroughly elated to report that A YEAR OF LIVING KINDLY—the book—will be published in September 2018! I have signed with a wonderful publisher, She Writes Press, and am working with their amazing team to produce a book that I hope will contribute in some small way to spreading kindness and restoring civility on this planet we all share.

Whether you’ve been reading this blog since day-one or only since last week, I want to thank you for being a part of this journey. Those of you who have written comments or engaged in conversation with me have helped me to explore and refine my thoughts about kindness. You’ve challenged me to lean in and to dive deeper, and your presence has held my feet to the fire on more than one occasion.

As our worldwide need for kindness becomes critical, I look forward to sharing with you a continued commitment to kindness. We can counter the incivility, cynicism, and unkindness that pervades . . . one action at a time, one choice at a time.

A year of living kindly is not something one does and then moves on to the next thing. Kindness turned out to be a path, not a destination, and it’s a path I want to continue to follow up until the day I breathe my last, probably surrounded by books.

“The way we live our life is our spiritual practice—no more, no less, nothing but, nothing else.” (Robert Corin Morris)

44 thoughts on “Preview of Coming Attractions: A YEAR OF LIVING KINDLY – the Book!”

    • Thanks so much, Michelle! I’m sure you’re right that our kindness and patience will be tested during the upcoming election season. Perhaps, though, someone will be compelled to vote for the kinder candidate. We can always hope!

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  2. Congratulations!! Perfect timing because I don’t think the world has ever been in more desperate need of kindness. I look forward to reading your book. And I so agree that choosing kindness not only benefits the recipient, it is truly a gift we also give ourselves and I am constantly amazed at how good it feels — especially when it is a conscious decision — when we pause for a moment and realize we have a choice — we can choose to be kind instead of mean or nasty — we can choose to help instead of turning the other cheek — we can look for the good insteadnof the bad. And before you know it, it becomes a habit.

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    • It really does feel good to extend kindness . . . even to witness kindness. And I love the notion of kindness becoming a habit. It really is all about pausing and choosing how we want to be. Thanks so much for your comment and your kind words, Fransi!

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    • Thanks, Kathi, you and the “campers” have been on this journey almost since day-one. Can’t tell you how much your support and encouragement have meant.

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  6. That’s awesome, well done! What a wonderful challenge to have set yourself, and look what you’ve achieved… truly divine guidance right there : )
    I look forward to buying a copy here in Oz xO

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    • Thanks so much for those lovely and kind words, Carol! As I said to Kathi above, the support and encouragement of the “campers” has been such a gift throughout this process!

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  9. Thanks for the heads up on the much anticipated publication of “the book”. I am looking forward to it. We need to do lunch to celebrate.

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  13. I can’t wait to hold this book in my hands, Donna, and to share it with friends and family. The cover is so lovely, and I know every page within will be thoughtfully crafted, beautifully written and heartfelt. Congrats, my inspirational friend!

    PS (I’m miserable as hell with a bad cold today, so it strikes me that “Bitchy, Cranky, and Oblivious: the Off Days” is a perfect follow-up title after YOLK’s success!) 🙂 Big hugs to you from a safe distance….)

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    • You’ve been a big part of this adventure, my friend! Both the writing journey and the kindness journey. So sorry to hear you’ve got the crud, but clearly your mind is sharp as ever. Thanks for the title for the next volume! Feel better soon.

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  16. Congratulations, Donna, on your upcoming book and like many others I will be keen to read it. I’m so glad I came across your blog as your posts on kindness have resonated with me and the sentiment behind them keeps coming to mind as I try to be a kinder person 😌

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    • Thanks, Cathi! Yes, it’s quite an experience . . . and an education. Congratulations on your book!. April is just around the corner. I’ll look forward to hearing more about it and seeing an announcement on your blog … or have I missed one? Enjoy the adventure!

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    • Tim, you were actually one of the people who greatly encouraged this journey. And, so far, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I expect to learn a lot over the next few months. Thanks!

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  20. How absolutely wonderful Donna. A huge congratulations to you, what a wonderful intention that you’ve now brought into action. I’m sure it will inspire many people. I do look forward to reading it.

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