Positivity Abounds

Danny Wallace is my new god.

I first discovered Dave Gorman watching BBC2 (I think) late at night, he was travelling round the world trying to find other Dave Gormans, and his mate was helping him. One night I got talking to a friend and he said "Have you read Join Me by Dave Gorman's mate?"

When I said no, he said he had 2 copies, so gave me one.

I loved it! A slightly odd man embarking on a "stupid boy project" to start a cult. No, it isn't a cult, it is a collective.

I finished it and felt good. You can't read it without wanting to go out and be nice to strangers, because that is what joining is all about - being nice.

So... for my birthday Boy got me Yes Man - the next book by the fabulous Mr Wallace.

Again, I was hooked - this time it was about saying Yes more. Well, for him, saying yes to everything. I'm not a fool, I'm not going to do that, but it has made me say Yes more in general.

I finished the second book that Boy bought me today - Random Acts of Kindness. A book full of the random kind things brought about by Join Me. At the back it said to put your name in it and leave it somewhere for someone else to find.

I am a hoarder, the concept of leaving books behind fears me with dread, but with a mix of RAOK and Yes in my head, I filled in my name and email address (so people can tell me where they found it), and left my book behind in the path lab waiting room.

I hope someone does contact me to say they found it. Preferably lots of people - let the book and the kindness travel.

Both Join Me and Yes Man have been books with simple messages - be kind, and say yes more. It isn't hard to do, but it will make the world a hell of a better place to live.

So, go on... go do something kind for a stranger. Suggestions in the RAOK book went from saying hello to an old lady, to putting book vouchers inside books in the shop so that someone will get home and find they got a free book (parenting manuals are recommended!!!). Say Yes more - you might not really feel like going for a drink, but the person asking might need it more than you realise. You might end up doing something that will make good things happen to you. You might just end up very drunk, but that can be good too!

Say Yes to Kindness and make the world better.