UPDATE: Brad has generously decided to give away seven books instead of five. If your name is listed below, please contact me at email(AT)tinybuddha(DOT)com with your address so I can share it with him! The winners are:
As I write this, I’m having one of those days. I feel so agitated it’s like there’s a tornado under my skin, yet so drained it took me five minutes to get my fingers to start typing words.
I’m guessing I’m not alone in feeling a lot of intense emotions as of late, in a homebound life in this highly uncertain world. To be honest, I always experience intense emotions, but today it’s felt like someone poured gas on the flaming feelings within.
Then a minute ago, I heard a little giggle and turned around to see my baby’s huge grin two inches from my face. My boyfriend had brought him in to lift my spirits because he knows how much that cherubic little face cheers me up. And did it ever.
Oh, that face, the innocence, the joy, the unbridled excitement to see me, even when I feel like I’m sucking at life. That, right there, is pure bliss—and the kind of simple act of kindness that can make a huge difference in my day.
Maybe for you it’s a “just thought of you” text with a picture of something you’d enjoy if you were there. Or maybe it’s a compliment on something you thought everyone took for granted—like your omelets or your optimism or your oddball sense of humor.
We all need a little pick-me-up from time to time, and even if it’s not badly needed, it’s always appreciated. Because who doesn’t love feeling loved? Who doesn’t think it’s amazing to know someone’s thinking of them?
Though it’s always a perfect time for kindness, I think it feels even more comforting now, when many of us are itching for more human interaction and looking for reasons to stay hopeful.
Which is why I’m especially grateful for Brad Aronson, who’s kindly offered five free copies of his book HumanKind to Tiny Buddha readers.
He wrote this book solely to inspire kindness by sharing stories of kindness—and he’s donating all his earnings to the non-profit Big Brothers Big Sisters.
It’s the kind of uplifting book that makes you feel good about life because it shines a spotlight on the best of humanity—including the proverbial village that came together to help Brad and his wife Mia through her battle with leukemia.
Chapter after chapter, Brad introduces us to everyday heroes, people using their talents and interests to help make the world a better place, starting with their own sphere of influence.
And it’s not just a book of stories; it also offers dozens of easy ways to make a difference for the people around you through simple words and deeds.
It’s encouraging. It’s inspiring. It’s a light in the dark. Like a grinning little face on an especially hard day.
If you’d appreciate a free copy of HumanKind, enter the giveaway by commenting below, sharing either an act of kindness you recently witnessed or the kindest thing someone’s ever done for you.
You can enter until midnight PST on Sunday, May 3rd. I’ll update this post with the winners’ names on the 4th,
Stay hopeful, stay kind, stay safe, my friends.
Sending lots of love from my pile of bricks to yours.
About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others do the same. She recently created the Breaking Barriers to Self-Care eCourse to help people overcome internal blocks to meeting their needs—so they can feel their best, be their best, and live their best possible life. If you’re ready to start thriving instead of merely surviving, you can learn more and get instant access here.
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