The Kindness Challenge by Shaunti Feldhahn

Kindness is a simple concept but what a difference it makes in the lives of others - and our own. In fact, Feldhahn says the factor above all others that helps us thrive is not how we are treated but how we choose to treat others. Our happiness starts with the choice to be kind, especially when we don't feel like it.

Unlike other books I have recently read, Feldhahn not only encourages us to be kind but actually gives us lots of strategies to do so. It's not easy as we live in a culture of unkindness. We have to be purposeful and persistent. Feldhahn gives specific yet simple steps to help us be kind to our spouses and to others in general. She includes thirty suggestions for husbands, another thirty for wives, and then a final thirty for being kind to another person in general. She even helps us find out what we might be doing to sabotage our relationships.

I was surprised that Feldhahn writes that a decision to be unconditionally kind takes away the power of others to make us crazy. She also informs us that kindness is not the same as being nice or not rocking the boat. Being kind does not mean avoiding challenges.

I am impressed with this book. I expected the encouragement and the stories as illustrations. What I didn't expect was so many practical ideas for showing kindness. Her chapters containing the thirty days of suggestions are great. Her ideas on the eight types of kindness are great too.

I highly recommend this book for all readers. We need to practice more kindness and this book is full of practical ideas to help us on the way. Feldhahn says it takes thirty days to change our thinking and habits but again, there is plenty of material in the book for that. She even provides a website where one can get an assessment and sign up for thirty days of emails with encouraging ideas.

Food for thought: “It is only when you are actively kind to someone who is not kind to you that you see the true power of Christ-like kindness.”

My rating: 5/5 stars.

Shaunti Feldhahn received her graduate degree from Harvard University and was an analyst on Wall Street before becoming a social researcher, best-selling author and popular speaker. Her books have sold more than two million copies in 23 languages. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and their two children. You can find out more at http://www.shaunti.com/.

WaterBrook, 224 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.