A Year of Living Kindly – The Book

THE REVIEWS ARE IN FOR A YEAR OF LIVING KINDLY!

From Kirkus Reviews (starred review): “Cameron knows how to captivate an audience; her prose is, by turns, humorous, astute, logical, eloquent, and sincere … anecdotes are consistently memorable, and her analysis of them is often brilliant….”

In addition, A YEAR OF LIVING KINDLY has been named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2018.

From Midwest Book Review: “… an extraordinary and timely contribution in these troubled times … Inspired and inspiring”

From Independent Publisher Magazine: “…the world needs this book right now … A YEAR OF LIVING KINDLY is a must-read. It’s a sledgehammer to indifference and resignation, and a reminder that being kind doesn’t mean being weak.”

Book Description:

Most of us aspire to be kind. But being kind isn’t always easy. Our best intentions often fade when the realities of daily life intrude: traffic, telemarketers, crowded spaces, time constraints, and our own ineptness. Being kind when we don’t feel like it, or when all of our buttons are being pushed, is hard. But that’s also when it’s most needed.

A Year of Living Kindly explores what a kind life entails and provides suggestions for how each of us can strengthen our kindness muscle so living a life of kindness becomes ever easier and more natural.

In these pages you’ll see how a commitment to kindness will improve your life in countless ways, and ultimately can be world-changing. You’ll discover:

  • Why choosing kindness is good for you
  • Why extending and receiving kindness are often difficult
  • What the barriers are to kindness and how to overcome them
  • What to do when you’re faced with unkindness and incivility
  • How kindness is a strength that will bring you peace and happiness

Using stories, observation, humor, and summaries of expert research—Donna Cameron shares her experience committing to 365 days of practicing kindness. In 52 bite-sized chapters, you’ll learn not only the hows of kindness, but also the whys. This practical guide will shine a light on how we can create a better, safer, and more just world, and will help any reader make a life-changing commitment to kindness.

Want to change your life and also change the world? It begins with choosing kindness.

Available at…
            

Honors: In addition to being named a Best Book of 2018 by Kirkus Reviews, A Year of Living Kindly has received a number of industry awards: Winner: First Place/Gold “IPPY” from Independent Publishers; Winner, Nautilus Awards; First Place in the Eric Hoffer Awards; Winner, Next Generation Indie Book Awards; Winner, American BookFest; Winner, Readers Favorite Book Awards; Winner, Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards. Finalist: Foreword Indie Awards; International Book Awards; Montaigne Medal; Nancy Pearl Best Book Award.

       

Read the full Independent Publisher review here

Read the full Kirkus review here

Get a “one-sheet” for A Year of Living Kindly here.

What Others are Saying about A Year of Living Kindly:

A Year of Living Kindly is a beautifully rendered exploration of kindness as a way of life, arriving at the right moment, with the right guide. Donna Cameron writes with humor and grace about this essential virtue. She makes it easy to follow her path–and to want to follow it.
~Sarah L. Kaufman, author of The Art of Grace and Pulitzer Prize-winning critic of The Washington Post.

“Donna Cameron’s contagious warmth, compelling stories, persuasive logic, and useful advice make this gem a joy to read.  After I finished each lovely little chapter, I understood the path to kindness a bit better, my inspiration to keep moving down that path increased, and my resolve to forgive myself and others when we slip into unkindness grew stronger.”
~Robert Sutton, Stanford Professor and bestselling author of The No Asshole Rule and The Asshole Survival Guide

“Most people are kind, but don’t always know how to express it. In A Year of Living Kindly, Donna Cameron shares both the why and how of kindness. She’s written a wise, captivating guide for those wishing to claim the power of kindness and use it to change the world.”
~Leon Logothetis, Bestselling author of The Kindness Diaries

Just being nice will not be enough to save the civility of today’s world. It will take the patience and focus of true and loving kindness. Don’t assume you know what is needed or how to do it until you read Donna Cameron’s A Year of Living Kindly. You will find inspiration for every experience and season of your life.
~John Kralik, Author of A Simple Act of Gratitude.

“This book will absolutely light your heart on fire for kindness! In A Year of Living Kindly, Donna Cameron encourages us to suspend our spectator status and fully embrace what’s happening around us. Through collected research and her own wise observations, she generously shows us how to lead fuller lives through kindness.”
~Nicole J Phillips, author of Kindness is Contagious and host of The Kindness Podcast

“It’s irrefutable that being kind—on purpose—improves health and wellness. With fifty-two delicious, bite-sized chapters containing actionable examples that help readers weave intentional kindness into their daily lives, you can be sure A Year of Living Kindly is a book I’ll prescribe to my clients.”
~Laurie Buchanan, PhD, holistic health practitioner, life coach, and author of The Business of Being and Note to Self

“Although being kind sounds a lot like being nice, Donna Cameron shares how these two acts are very different. A Year of Living Kindly has remarkable insights on how you can increase your dose of happiness by adding kindness into your daily encounters. In most situations, it doesn’t cost a dime and yet you will feel better than ever. I’ve been inspired!”
~Linda Atwell, author of Loving Lindsey: Raising a Daughter with Special Needs

About the Author

Donna Cameron has spent her career working with nonprofit organizations and causes—as an executive, consultant, trainer, and volunteer. She has seen kindness in action and been awed by its power to transform. When she committed to a year of living kindly she considered herself a reasonably nice person (with occasional lapses into crankiness), but she knew that true kindness was a step above. Over the course of that year, she learned that living a kind life takes practice, patience, and understanding . . . not to mention a sense of humor. When Donna’s year of living kindly concluded, she knew that kindness is not something one commits to for a year and then moves on. It’s a lifelong path—not a destination, but a way of life. She learned that choosing kindness—even when it’s hard, especially when it’s hard—will not only change lives, but might just change the world.

The recipient of multiple writing awards, Cameron has published numerous articles and, in 2011, coauthored (with Kristen Leathers) One Hill, Many Voices: Stories of Hope and Healing. Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Donna now lives in a suburb of Seattle with her husband.

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