Deliberate Acts of Kindness: Service as a Spiritual Practice

An indispensable guide to the spiritual and the practical aspects of devoting one’s time and energies to the service of others.

Deliberate Acts of Kindness is for people who are ready to supplement"random acts of kindness" with intentional acts of generosity, decency, and integrity. More than simply a handbook for volunteers, it explores the significance of service as an expression of spirituality and the commitment to something greater than oneself.

Meredith Gould guides readers through their journeys, from recognizing when they are ready to answer the call to service to finding the right place to donate their time and talents. She offers invaluable advice on discovering the types of work that best suit their personalities and the areas in which they can make the greatest contributions. There is helpful information on how to get involved, as well as sensible suggestions about what to do when things go wrong in a service situation.

An easy-to-read mix of tips, quotations, reflections, and short narrative passages, Deliberate Acts of Kindness presents a comprehensive, honest look at what service is like on a day-to-day basis. Its insights will help new volunteers and veterans alike negotiate the practical difficulties that sometimes arise and achieve the spiritual maturity that comes from answering the call to service.

MEREDITH GOULD, a freelance writer and editor, is the author of Staying Sober and Tips for Your Home Office. She has written articles for a wide variety of periodicals, including New Age Journal, New Woman, Utne Reader, and Vegetarian Times. She lives in Princeton, New Jersey.