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.