Learn practical ways to notice everyday kindness that our brains naturally miss. “A Practical EmPath” offers techniques to see the goodness already around you, even in divided times.
The story
Ever notice how small acts of kindness can brighten your entire day? That free coffee when you’re running late. A stranger helping you gather papers scattered by the wind. A friend who simply listens.
These moments happen all around us, but our brains naturally focus on problems instead. It’s not our fault – it’s an old survival instinct that doesn’t serve us well in modern life.
This is what drew me to “A Practical EmPath” by Scott Howard Swain. Rather than just telling you people are good, it offers practical ways to rewire your thinking so you actually notice the goodness that’s already there.
Swain blends Buddhist concepts with psychology to create what he calls “Street empathy” – tools that help you better understand yourself and others.
I especially appreciate the specific techniques for those moments when negativity feels overwhelming. The book includes real-world examples showing exactly how to apply these ideas.
When I started practicing these methods, I began seeing how many people genuinely try to connect and help, even when they do it imperfectly.
The book doesn’t paint humans as flawless. Instead, it helps you recognize the basic desire for connection most of us share beneath our messy exteriors.
In these divided times, these practices remind us that goodness isn’t rare – it’s quietly flowing through our everyday interactions, just waiting to be noticed.
