ask dr. read      Idaho Statesman columns      new articles      biography      formal resume      philosophy      services offered      contact dr. read      psychology links      other links      forms      pictures		Random Acts of Kindness Bring Satisfaction by James M. Read, Ph.D. Here's an idea. Do something kind and totally unexpected for someone. Maybe even a stranger. Perhaps anonymously. Make someone's day by surprising them with something nice. That's what Will Glennon and his publishing partner Mary Jane Ryan suggest in their little volume entitled Random Acts of Kindness. The idea (and need for) "random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty" was promoted several years ago by Marin County writer Ann Herbert. I first read about it in an article someone sent me from Glamour magazine. Conari Press publishers Glennon and Ryan invited friends at an open house for their new offices to recall random acts of kindness that had affected their lives. "It was an absolutely magical evening," says Glennon, out of which emerged this inspiring book. In a world often overwhelmed with bad news, this little volume provides some heartening and inspiring balance. "For every random act of violence there are 10,000 random acts of kindness; you just don't hear about them," says Glennon. Whenever he goes on radio to promote the book the phones light up with new stories of kindness and caring. "Compassion is an alternate perception," says psychologist M.C. Richards, writing in Random Acts of Kindness. It's one I think we can all do more to cultivate. Glennon says it very well: "Kindness is just making a human connection. What better thing to do in this lonely world? It requires almost no effort. And, if you do one act of kindness, it makes you feel so good you want to do another and another." It's true. Committing an act of random kindness is fun. And it's very satisfying! It could be "dangerously" addicting! But in this case, I'm willing to throw caution to the wind and risk acquiring such a life affirming habit. I've been trying to do more "random kindness." It does indeed take a new kind of mindset. A "paradigm shift." But the results are wonderful. Slow down and do something nice (and unexpected) for somebody! And if you're looking for a somewhat "different" Christmas gift for someone special, give him or her a copy of Random Acts of Kindness. A special friend gave me my copy, and I've already passed it on to someone else. Spread the word. I like it so well I think I'll buy another. Maybe even a dozen. James M. Read, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist  Originally published in The Idaho Stateman newspaper (Boise, Idaho) November 25, 1993 For more information, or to contact the author (that's me!), write to James M. Read, Ph.D., jread@jread.com