We're all pretty nice people, right? It's all those other people who are the problem.

Sure, occasionally we're tempted to gossip or indulge in a little justified road rage . . . or snap at our spouse . . . or scream at our kids . . . but if everyone else would get with the program, we wouldn't be this way!

Maybe the trouble isn't with all those other people who aggravate us. Maybe we're the problem--specifically, the way we react to inconveniences, accidents, and just plain old everyday life with negative words, thoughts, and actions. Because the truth is, when we stop focusing on how we're being affected and start responding in kind ways, that's when something remarkable happens: we actually feel happier ourselves.

With humor, compassion, and encouragement, Nicole Phillips draws on scientific research and real-life examples to help us recognize unhelpful negative thought patterns, show kindness toward others even when we don't feel like it, and discover how one little change actually changes everything.

"A must-read. If everyone took Nicole's messages of kindness to heart, what a joyful difference it would make in the world!"--Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The New One Minute Manager(R) and Servant Leadership in Action

"The definitive how-to guide for everyone wanting to make kindness an intentional part of their lives."--Dr. Neal Nybo, motivational speaker, trainer, pastor, and author


Nicole J. Phillips is a champion for using kindness to overcome all of life's difficulties, including her own battle with breast cancer. She spreads her message of the healing power of kindness as host of the weekly show The Kindness Podcast, through her weekly syndicated newspaper column "Kindness Is Contagious," and as a featured guest on radio and television programs. The author of Kindness Is Contagious and Kindness Is Courageous, Nicole is married to her childhood sweetheart, Saul. They live in South Dakota with their three children and an oversized goldendoodle.

We're all pretty nice people, right? It's just that occasionally we're tempted to gossip or indulge in a little justified road rage . . . or snap at our spouse . . . maybe scream at our kids . . . I mean, if everyone else would get with the program, we wouldn't be this way

But maybe the trouble isn't with all those other people who aggravate us. Maybe we're the problem--specifically, the way we react to inconveniences, accidents, and just plain old everyday life with negative words, thoughts, and actions. Because the truth is, when we stop focusing on how we're being affected and start responding in kind ways, that's when something remarkable happens: we actually feel happier ourselves.

With humor, compassion, and encouragement, Nicole Phillips draws on scientific research and real-life examples to help us recognize unhelpful negative thought patterns, show kindness toward others even when we don't feel like it, and discover how one little change actually changes everything.