Kindness Will Save the World: Stories of Compassion and Connection

by James Crews

With essays, reflection prompts, and tips from award-winning poet and mindfulness teacher James Crews, learn how to integrate the life-changing practice of kindness into your own routine.

Kindness Will Save the World inspires reflection on one’s own life, how to find the positive in little moments, and how to radiate kindness to those around you. Read one of the 100 uplifting essays each morning or night and gain inspiration for the new day ahead.

With journaling prompts throughout and highlighted Kindness Practices, you are provided the tools to integrate the life-changing practice of kindness into your own life.

BITE-SIZE At one to three pages in length each, the stories are heartfelt and thought-provoking, yet brief enough to quickly read during breakfast, on the train, or before bed

100 INSIGHTFUL In Kindness Will Save the World, you’ll find dozens of inspirational stories highlighting compassion, all captured with a poet’s grace

LESSONS FOR With writing prompts and simple practices to integrate daily, Kindness Will Save the World will inspire you to lead a kindness-centered lifestyle, enriching your own life and the lives of those around you

INSPIRATIONAL With a beautiful cover and bite-sized wisdom stories, Kindness Will Save the World is an inspirational gift for anyone in search of hope and light in the world, from new graduates to new parents

AWARD-WINNING James Crews is an award-winning poet and writer. His work has been awarded the Prairie Schooner Prize and Cowles Prize. He has also been featured in The New York Times Magazine, The New Republic, Ploughshares, and The Sun Magazine

KINDNESS IS Kindness has been linked to improved mood, release of feel-good hormones, and better relationships

Genres: Essays, Nonfiction

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 18, 2023

Reviews

[Therese L. Broderick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve finished reading this tender yet elegant new book by the best-selling anthologist James Crews. This book’s subtitle “Stories...” underplays the multi-dimensional qualities of these 89 very fine entries which I would call consummate Creative Non-Fiction, each short piece enfolding all the CNF hallmarks known as the 5 R’s: real life, reflection, research, reading, and (w)riting. And what accomplished writing! By the end of the first sentence of any of these essays, I was thoroughly immersed. By the last sentence, I had shared in the emotional transformation narrated by the author: an instance of opening one’s heart to the world as well as to oneself. This collection is a lyrical medley of memoir-in-moments, moral philosophy, and delicately-painted scenes ranging from Vermont to Argentina, from city cafes to mountain hikes to ocean-side cabins, from caring for fragile family members to exposing one’s own vulnerability. Parents, spouses, friends, acquaintances, dental receptionists, grocery clerks, and kind-hearted strangers all populate these neighborly pages. Without sermonizing or preaching, this wise author proffers wholesome lessons drawn from his own life, divulging painful episodes with both candor and hard-won insight. Above all, after reading this book, I felt that my own similar foibles, confusions, mistakes, and unkindnesses had been cradled and soothed. I highly recommend this talented and devoted writer of both poetry and CNF.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just not enough words to praise this beautiful, deeply personal and vulnerable offering to a world so obviously I’m need of saving. I appreciate James Crews’ wisdom and talent for seeing and sharing the extraordinary that is always present in the ordinary. I savored these essays on the brief, everyday miracles of kindness that James shares from his own life; reading a few at a time, day by day. I never opened the book without feeling soothed, uplifted, reminded of the possibilities and the power of kind connection in each day, each moment. I’m looking forward to listening to the audio version next. I always look forward to this author’s gorgeous poetry as well!

[Gail DiVico · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book that I received about 6 months ago. I would highly recommend it to all ages from 10 to adult. There is a prompt or what they call an invitation to reflect. Each invitation is different. It could be a few sentences or a couple of paragraphs. You are then asked to write how you felt about it, how you dealt with it, what you did, etc. There are about four or so pages for you to reflect upon it. You can use as many of those blank pages as necessary or if you don't need to, then on to the next reflection or statement such as kindness in action. I would suggest doing one a day or stretch it out even longer. I enjoyed very much doing the ones I did. Definitely will give you food for thought.

[Jean Marie Angelo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book as a daily reader. Each short essay was a prompt to reflect on kindness. Throughout there were excellent quotes and kindness exercises.

Some takeaways:
Take time for self care because it is a form of kindness.
Look into the faces of strangers. Slow down. Make a connection.
Be a listening presence to others.
Pray.
Meditate.
Write.
Give gifts.
Receive gifts graciously.

As Carl Jung once said, "Nothing affects the life of a child so much as the unlived life of its parents."
Thich Nhat Hanh said, "Compassion is a verb."

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crews shared stories from his life meant to kindle an appreciation for kindness among readers. Each episode is exquisitely rendered; Crews’s realizations are human sized reactions to small moments that help him find where the beauty of life is hiding. I think he had to dig deep to retrieve the narratives found. I liked the book as the equivalent to a non-religious devotional—something that connects us to others and the world itself.

[Maureen Ann Riopel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is important for anyone who wants to lead a more mindful and soulful life that is nourished by acts of kindness and moments of gratitude. The book is a compilation of short chapters of meaningful vignettes in the author’s life. Each stands alone in its own right. Enjoy this refreshing and inspiring book.

[Riv · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is truly lovely! The author’s narration is gentle and soothing. His voice adds a whole extra layer to the compassionate insight in each of the experiences that he shares. A wonderful reminder of the importance of kindness in these hard times.

[Jarod Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciate the way in which all of the stories here feel very real and grounded even as they lead to lofty thoughts about the role of kindness in our lives (and world). I will be buying more copies to give as gifts.

[HopeF · Rating 4 out of 5]

These personal short essays reveal the author's journey to accepting kindness, giving kindness to himself, and sharing kindness with others.

[Amybianca · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.