Field
Notes on the Compassionate Life
A
Search for the Soul of Kindness
By
Marc Ian Barasch
The
term "field notes" implies quickly jotted fragments on
thoughts to be organized and expounded upon at a later date. Such
is not the case with the well-developed discussion on the intricacies
of kindness.
Field
Notes
is very easy to read which made my encounter complicated.
It encourages you to continue forward with its readability and energy
while at the same time the words push you to reflect into yourself
and on those around you. In the beginning I thought the text was
boring because my mind kept wandering away from the words I was
reading. With a little more thought I realized that they weren't
wandering away, they were staying behind to contemplate and absorb
what I had read. This is not a boring book.
There
is a creed in the preface of the book that summarizes the compassionate
life:
People
are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If
you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
The
kindness you show today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Be kind anyway.
The
other 351 pages share the joy received by living these words and
speculate why the joy comes. I finally had to limit myself to reading
sections of chapters at a time so as to begin to absorb the messages
inspired from a life of practiced compassion.
This
one is a giver and a keeper. I have already loaned my review copy
to my boss and it is a publication that I will be able to rely upon
as an excellent gift choice. I also expect to be able to refer to
passages for a quick pick-me up when I am down, so there will always
be a copy on my shelf as well. |