I'm very thankful for this author's view of how we can change our lives to be more happier and kinder. She uses humor, stories and science to help show us how to that. This book was perfect for where I'm at in my life and helped me grow in unexpected ways!

In a broken world, how can we create more joy, less stress, and better relationships? How can we identify the negativity in us that threatens to create more negativity outside? Beginning with a confession of her own tendency toward meanness, author Nicole Phillips invites us to battle own own "inner meanie" and to put on kindness. Avoid the trap of thinking that the world is against us when it is simply this means deception within us that is saying that. Essentially, this book is about turning over a new leaf in terms of our own behavior. We might not be able to change other people but we can definitely change our own selves, especially on how to respond to any circumstances. We can curtail any tendency to be mean and to cultivate our ability to be kind. How do we do that? That is the main purpose of this book.

Phillips learned personally the power of kindness and how the capacity for kindness will never be exhausted. For those who finds that incredible or hard to believe, Phillips recommends that we learn to do some soul searching to discover the inner meanie in us. Nip that in the bud and we should be on our way to kindness. She gives scientific evidence on the benefits of showing kindness, how it releases feel-good chemicals in our body: Endorphins, Serotonin, Dopamine, and Oxytocin. We can say yes to the positive via six ways of attracting more kindness in our lives. We can say no to the negative also through six ways. We need also to differentiate between showing kindness and not letting others take advantage of us. She also reminds us that kindness is more about treating others rather than satisfying our own needs. Start our journey of kindness at home. Good things need to begin at home. Then move a level higher by learning to be kind to those who annoy us; and then to people who have hurt us. Phillips treads this path carefully knowing that it is not only difficult but tricky. Relationships are never easily fixed. That said, it is better to cultivate good relationships when they are good. Don't wait until the relationships go south before taking action.

My Thoughts
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It has been said that life is difficult. With the current global pandemic, it is getting more challenging each day. Even though this book is all about kindness, it is not a magic formula to solve all our problems. It is simply a way forward for us to grow into more joyful people each day, one act of kindness at a time. There are people who believe in random acts of kindness. As far as Phillips is concerned, kindness is never random but intentional. This is important for three reasons. First, we are social people, and relationships form a core part of our belonging and identity. Even the most individualistic person would need to interact with people at some point in time. Things like basic government services, healthcare, mailing assistance, technical support, etc, all require people to man, to maintain, and to manage. Computerized helpdesks and general information booths can only do so much. Even the most comprehensive manuals would have a number or contact information for people to reach a live person for help. Since we can never avoid meeting people, unless we live in a cave in the desert, why not prepare ourselves with an arsenal of kindness.

Second, kindness needs to be practice with regularity. When that happens, we can make it into a good habit that will come naturally as time goes by. For instance, the six ways of saying yes to positives, and the six ways of saying no to negatives provide us ample opportunities to put kindness into practice. After all, life is full of ups and downs. The good news is that whether it is up or down, we can still practice kindness, albeit in a different manner. This is where this book comes in handy. With wide-ranging methods and examples, Phillips shows us the world of opportunities that we can be kind.

Finally, we all need a little more love each day. Money may be said to make the world go round. It is love that will make relationships whole. Kindness is an attribute of love, described in the famous list of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. Love is a choice. Kindness is a choice. When we are in doubt, be kind. More importantly, kindness will beget kindness. Spread the love. Spread the kindness. Maybe, we can start a movement of changing the world one kind act at a time.

Nicole J Phillips is a breast cancer survivor, host of The Kindness Podcast program, a regular guest on Hallmark Channel's Home & Family Show, and the author of books about kindness. This is her third book. She lives in Aberdeen, South Dakota with her husband and three kids.

Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Books and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

I have always considered myself a pretty kind person. I always am as polite as I can be, and try to put the needs of others before my own, but I've never really sat and thought about my level of kindness, and where I lack, until I picked up The Negativity Remedy.

Most nonfiction books are easy to get lost in the information, but The Negativity Remedy is so engaging! Filled to the brim with personal stories from the author, as well as other acquaintances, you feel like you're chatting in a coffee shop with friends rather than reading about these instances.

Though a bit redundant, and on the repetitive side, with a topic like kindness I believe this to be an unavoidable trait. Plus, the stories kept the book fresh and intriguing, which helps break up the repetition.

Since reading this book I have already caught myself unconsciously doing some of the things recommended, especially since COVID, and all of the negativity that is currently in our world, which has seeped into my own life, but I truly believe Nicole Phillips has found the best cure for negativity, and I plan to fight the negativity with kindness! Thank you Nicole Phillips for a positive, uplifting, and motivational read!

What a much-needed book this is! I love Nicole J. Phillips perspective and background about kindness, from her opening thoughts to the ending, the whole book has her unique style of writing and narrative that pulls you in and makes you really sit up and listen. She speaks from personal experience and I loved her story, I think so many people can see themselves in her story. I also believe that we all can use more kindness in our lives, and it all starts with how we treat ourselves like Nicole J. Phillips points out. We must be kind to ourselves before we can show kindness to those around us.

“They (people) need a way to feel powerful and important, and kindness can give them that feeling” (p.85).

The Negativity Remedy is one book I think everyone needs to read, it shows real life and how we need to make little changes each day to spread kindness to others; it is one book I know I will read again just to keep the ideas fresh in my mind and in the minds of those around me. I highly recommend this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.

What a great book, especially right now in these crazy times. I can’t remember highlighting a book as much as I did this one – I need to go back and digest all the evocative ideas. Through sharing some very personal stories, the author weaves in many powerful, positive ways to change our lives. We are continually influenced by the world, people around us, and our “internal meanie”, all working to bring negativity into our lives daily. But we have the power to change how we react, and Nicole Phillips walks us gently through ways to change our perspective. “Hurry, worry, and jury” will stay with you after reading this book, and you’ll have kindness at the forefront of your mind.

Thank you to JustRead tours and NetGalley for a copy of this book. I was under no obligation to write a positive review; all opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book! I think we could all use a little help battling our inner critic in 2020!

What I loved about this book was the author's approach to advice. So often self-help books come across as condescending or vague. I enjoyed the way the author used specific research to give gentle guidance to readers.

I think the biggest lacking factor for me was the absence of action items. I tend to learn best with specific approaches that are more than just cognitive behavioral therapy strategies.

Overall, I still think this book was one of the more helpful books I've read. I learned a lot about myself and the way I think about myself. I would definitely recommend this to my friends!

I have been reading more non-fiction books this year. Its not a normal go-to genre but COVID has me reaching for all the self-help books. 2020 has NOT been my year... or my families. With a title like: The Negativity Remedy: Unlocking More Joy, Less Stress, and Better Relationships through Kindness - I had high hopes and this book delivered. I recently had similar expectations for another book in the same genre and was completely disappointed so reading chapter one 'Lessons from Dinoland' made me smile and instantly relating and invested.

Is kindness a magical cure-all? Kind of (in my opinion) ... but the author says different. She backs up her claims by quoting other experts in the field and scientific data. I loved all the truths and personal stories thrown in with examples of both good and bad. Nicole claims to be a work in progress with an inner meanie waiting in the background just like everyone else, and she has a plan to keep it in check.

As soon as I started reading I began text friends and family and telling them about this book, reading passages and giving my own examples. I especially enjoy the part advocating for volunteerism. I loved it from the first page. I felt validated. It was like the author was speaking truths I have tried to impress upon my family for decades... but in a way that probably made way more since.

I signed up for a review tour, hosted by JustReadTours. I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. All opinions are my own, I do not need to leave a positive review.

The Negativity Remedy
Unlocking More Joy, Less Stress, and Better Relationships through Kindness
by Nicole J. Phillips
Baker Books
Christian
Pub Date 01 Sep 2020


I am reviewing a copy of The Negativity Remedy through Baker Books and Netgalley:





The majority of us are pretty nice people, right? But occasionally we’re tempted to indulge in gossiping, or allow anger to overcome us. We often think if everyone around us wasn’t this way we wouldn’t be either.





Maybe the trouble isn’t with everyone that aggravates us though, perhaps the problem is with us. More specifically the way we react to inconveniences, accidents, and just plain old everyday life with negative words, thoughts, and actions. When we start responding in kind ways, that's when something remarkable happens: we actually feel happier ourselves.





This book is written with humor and devices, and ends with over 300 ideas for acts of kindness.




I give The Negativity Remedy five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

The Negativity Remedy by Nicole J. Phillips is a short self-help read that helps the reader identify and combat their inner critic. Throughout the book the author highlights the important of kindness and how we can replace our negativity with kindness towards not only ourselves, but others as well. I enjoyed the reflection questions at the end of each chapter and I found some of her tips helpful, such as make a decision to stop saying negative words which is so simple but hard! I believe the author's message is important, but sometimes the writing was a bit immature. The chapters were written in a stream of consciousness manner and frequently used the phrase "inner meanie". The author has a strong, bubbly voice so I recommend this book readers who find a bubbly voice contagious, but may not necessarily be for those that are a bit more negative and cynical.

Many thanks to the publisher Baker Books and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.