By nature I am allergic to self-help books. This book is an exception though, touching on a topic that could change the world if we all embraced it ...kindness. It is complete with to do lists, excellent stories, and a good dose of Alan’s innate humor. Kindness, in the way that it is presented here, is a fundamental key, a breath of fresh air that indeed could make the world a better place. Most of us have had that “moment of kindness” from an unknown stranger and know how deeply it touched us. This book will do the same.
Practice Intentional Acts of Kindness by Alan Questel is a refreshing and thorough view into what is happening when you experience kindness and how to act with more kindness. Alan is kindly guiding you through a series of valuable and interesting reflections and tasks through which you will get to know yourself better and will find more and more satisfying ways to interact with your world.
Alan Questel has written a timely book about kindness that is especially relevant in these divisive and stressful times. The author draws in the reader right from the beginning by revealing his own personal inner struggles that led him ultimately to explore the role of kindness in significantly shaping his life. He experienced the true meaning of the Dalai Lama’s words, “My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.” Like many people who have positive life-changing experiences, the author had a deep desire to share what he learned with others. The book is a clearly written, practical guide that takes the reader step-by-step through the profoundly rewarding journey towards kindness toward self and others.
Some books come to life when they are more needed. This is one of them. A kinder world is clearly a priority right now. To have a path to do that in a funny, clever, deep and structured way, a huge gift. Alan helps you to go from the idea of kindness to the act, to go from your head to your heart. You will be guided for someone who breath and live kindness and will take you step by step to reconnect with your loving nature.
I have known Alan Questel since 2004. It is inevitable that he has written a book on kindness – kindness emerges from Alan as naturally as breathing; so, when he writes these things, he writes from an embodied knowing – that word…authentic! Alan’s ‘way’ of demonstrating kindness is funny, energetic, smart, vibrant, warm, and generous. And this is where this book makes its unique mark. As we begin to understand more and more about the human brain and its neuroplastic potential, we are coming to realize that Kindness is a well networked function of the brain that is embodied as an ACTION. It is not simply a concept or a trait, a nice thing to talk about or something to wish for or observe. Kindness is a behavior that can be learnt, enhanced, trained. Alan takes you through processes where kindness can emerge from you, you can learn to receive it and you can think it, sense it, feel it, do it! I highly recommend Alan and his lived experience to you. It will be an intentional act of kindness to yourself and to the world if you read this book and enact it!
Alan Questel has written the right book at the right time. Kindness is the thing we need. Practice Intentional Acts of Kindness is a book worth reading and living. It is a useful, highly readable, practical and enlightened guide for embodying the sublime virtue-kindness. It clearly lays out how to make kindness more and more a part of one’s life.
Alan Questel is a master teacher who beautifully integrates learning principles and diverse strategies into a practical guide for living a better life. His stories, research and exercises are engaging and relevant. This lovingly crafted exploration of kindness will open your eyes to a rich world of self-study.
Kindness is a way of being and a skill. It can make us healthier and happier and improve the world around us and it can be cultivated in yourself. Alan Questel takes us in this book along the path of intentional kindness. It’s an exciting, moving and transformative journey.
Alan is a master teacher who guides students around the world to discover themselves. In a time of change and uncertainty that separates us, this is a timeless book that addresses our collective hunger for kindness and connection. With kindness we can build our capacity to work together. Mark D Bennett, author Uniting by Design: the Architecture of Creative Collaboration How do we heal a fractured world? In this book, Alan Questel makes a compelling case for a simple answer: Be kind. Alan offers an accessible and practical guide for how to bring more love, respect, and dignity to others and to ourselves. It’s a timely and useful book on how to address a perennial and profound human need.
This book by Alan Questel on kindness is so very beautiful and timely. We live in unprecedented times of change, where fear and disconnection too often prevail. Read this book and become more the loving person you really want to be and help others to do and be the same!