'Kindness For Life' Starts Here
I'm writing a book. There, I finally said it publicly.
I'm writing a book.
There, I finally said it publicly.
The working title sums up its purpose: Kindness For Life: Raising Kind Children Who Become Kind Adults Who Make a Kinder World. (I don’t know yet if it’ll be published under that title, but I’ve kicked the tires on a few similar concepts, and this is the one that stands out so far.)
Writing the book feels like equal parts: “Enough is enough already; I can’t stand the world’s incivility anymore, and I’m going to do what little bit I can about it” and “Oh my goodness—I’m not at all the expert-level researcher needed to be credible with this.”
Yet, my wife and I are raising kind children who are about to become kind adults, so we’ve got that going for us. I like reading good books by veterans who have been there and done that, but on some topics, it’s equally compelling to get insights from those whose battle scars are just a bit fresher. After all, aren’t we all just beggars showing other beggars where the bread is?
So, you’ll hear much more from me about the effects of raising kind children in the next little while. I have written a lot of it, but for the parts that are a little unvarnished and need refining, I will ask for your help, if you don’t mind. After all, this is Charlie, The Chaplain Chats, so let’s chat, please. :-)
A key concept woven throughout the book as it’s coming together is the ripple effect of kindness that begins with us as parents and caregivers, spreads to our children, and reaches the world. Here’s a snippet from the introduction that has helped frame this for me as I’ve processed my thoughts:
In emphasizing the ripple effect of kindness, it's crucial to recognize that every act of kindness, no matter how small, is a part of a larger narrative of positive change. It is a testament to the power of individual actions to contribute to a collective impact. As parents, caregivers, and community members, we have the unique opportunity to model and encourage this behavior, setting in motion waves of kindness that can transform our world.
By nurturing kind children, we raise individuals equipped to face the world with empathy and compassion and plant the seeds for a more compassionate and inclusive society—a world where empathy reigns supreme and differences are celebrated rather than feared. Through the ripple effect of kindness, we can envision a future where each act of kindness begets another, creating an endless wave of positivity that reshapes the world for the better.
Our world is overrun with criticism and cynicism, and I firmly believe we need more kindness. In my life and work, I frequently recite something that seemingly came out of nowhere but has stuck with me for years: The world has too many critics. We need more kindness. Pass it on.
That phrase is in my social media bios and regular conversations, and until I started writing this book, I had always thought of this in terms of kindness as a message that goes from one person to another. However, I’ve realized more and more lately that we need it to be far more than a message; we need kindness to be a movement. Movements begin when one person rallies a small group, which gets bigger and bigger until, suddenly (in today’s language), the message goes viral.
Friends, the quiet whisper of kindness can sometimes feel lost in the wind in a world captivated by the grandeur of power and success. Yet, this very whisper holds the potential to transform hearts, mend bridges, and light up the darkest places.
Together, let’s spread the movement.
Join me on the journey, will you?
Stay tuned.