I just finished an incredible book: THE HIDDEN GIFTS OF HELPING: How the Power of Giving, Compassion and Hope Can Get Us Through Hard Times by Stephen G. Post, Ph.D.
I am familiar with Dr. Post's work. I first found out about him when I spotted another of his books - WHY GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE - in a bookstore several years ago. I read it and was fascinated and deeply inspired by it. I then heard him interviewed on a radio show. I felt so connected to him; it was the first time I had heard of someone who also is passionate about inspiring people to be good. So, I called him up and introduced myself because I just had to speak with him. Unfortunately, he lives on the East Coast, so I wasn't able to go to any of his talks, but we have been in touch through email and he has been an inspiration to me.
Anyway, back to the book: He wrote the book as a result of a move to a new city for a new job. He and his family had to leave a community they had become deeply attached to for 20 years and start over in a new place not knowing anybody. Dr. Post shares the difficulty of the experience as he provides research on how and why helping others helps us overcome difficult and challenging situations. It is full of fascinating data, inspirational true accounts of people overcoming incredibly challenging circumstances, and the saga of he and his family adusting to a new life and how their desire and willingness to help others made a huge difference in helping them succeed in their new environment.
I highly recommend this book for everyone, especially now while so many are going through such difficult times. You will not regret it.
You can find the book here
