Human Kind, a Book Worth Reading

I just finished Human Kind: Changing the World One Small Act At a Time by Brad Aronson. It was both inspiring and heart-wrenching. Inspiring to read dozens of stories about people recognizing a need in the world and then stepping up to fill it. Heart-wrenching because I recognize I’m one person with limited resources, there is so much good to be done, and I wish I could do so much more. Nevertheless, it got me thinking about some things that I can do, and for that I’m really grateful to have read it.

While the book starts with Aronson’s personal story of how people stepped up to help them when his partner and wife Mia is diagnosed with Leukemia, the book goes abroad from their personal story to dive in-depth to the stories of many others who have started non-profits, been mentors and given those in need a reason to celebrate. He likens the work of these marvelous souls to “the Japanese tradition of filling cracks in pottery with gold, which produces something that’s more beautiful than it was before it cracked.”

At the end of each chapter, Aronson gives the audience some ideas of What We Can Do. Some of the ideas are specific and others are more broad.

• Do something small
• Do something specific
• Go all out
• Schedule reminders to yourself
• Keep an eye out in your community / Be aware
• Think like Santa
• Smile and wave (ex. at pedestrians that need to cross in front of you instead of giving a cursory flick to hurry up)
• Be sensitive to people’s limitations

Aronson says, “The little things are the big things. When we realize this, we also realize that there are infinite ways to help others.” Ex. One woman began mending clothes for homeless people. Then she got the seamstresses at her church involved and they mend a dozen pieces of clothing/backpacks every week. One recipient of this kindness said, “Everyone appreciates them. They are amazing, great seamstresses, and they care. It’s so nice to be recognized and treated like a person.”

• Learn to listen better
• Acknowledge people
• Share the positive
• Invest in people
• Be present
• Consider your greetings (instead of “How are you?” try “It’s great to see you!”)
• Pause and listen
• Engage people in an activity
• Be yourself

“We can express love, brighten a day and transform lives.” One simple example of this he gives the You Matter Marathon, where you can sign up for 30 free “You Matter” cards to hand out to people (the story behind this project is covered in detail in the book).

• If you have something nice to say, say it
• Share your stories
• Write to people you don’t know
• Don’t forget to say ‘yes’ to yourself
• Figure out what you can offer
• Create opportunities
• Make it seem easy
• Help others say ‘yes’ (“Can I come see you?” instead of “Can I come help?”)
• Show up
• Be enthusiastic
• Believe the best
• Embrace people’s intentions
• Add ‘yet’ to your vocabulary
• See the positive

“Celebrating is a choice, and sometimes asking, ‘Why not? is all it takes to create a celebration.” He shares the story of how important it was for one girl to have her birthday celebrated while in a Youth Study Center (Juvenile Hall). “Without the birthday party, I would have either been in prison, dead or strung out.” Instead, she went on to become a social worker and provide that love to other kids in the system. Another story involves a neighborhood who shifted Halloween so one child could celebrate who was going in for brain surgery that could not be postponed.

• Celebrate every day
• Start a new holiday
• Celebrate to raise funds
• Help a stranger to celebrate
• Have fun, even in tough times

Each of these bullet points includes specific ideas in the book for implementing these thoughts. In the end, he encourages us to ‘start small’ … ‘start with one person.’

The book includes an appendix ‘Hall of Fame’ for high-impact volunteer opportunities that you can also visit with up-to-date links on his website.