Jill Donovan - The Kindness Effect: Experience the Power of Irrational Giving

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THE KINDNESS EFFECT by Jill Donovan

Published by Charisma House

Charisma Media/Charisma House Book Group

600 Rinehart Road

Lake Mary, Florida 32746

www.charismahouse.com

This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwisewithout prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law.

Copyright 2018 by Jill Donovan

All rights reserved

Cover design by Justin Evans

Visit the authors website at rusticcuff.com.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

An application to register this book for cataloging has been submitted to the Library of Congress.

International Standard Book Number: 978-1-62999-179-5

E-book ISBN: 978-1-62999-180-1

While the author has made every effort to provide accurate internet addresses at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors or for changes that occur after publication. Further, the publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

To Terry, Ireland, and Peanut.

You and my heart are one and the same.

There is my heart,

and then there is you,

and Im not sure there is a difference.

A. R. ASHER

CONTENTS

SPECIAL THANKS TO Tessie DeVoreI am almost certain, without your persistence, gentle prodding, and humor, this book would never have even begun.

Thank you to my editors Debbie Marrie and Melissa Bogdany not only for pouring hours, weeks, and months into editing but also for having an abundant amount of grace for the missed deadlines.

To Erin Bates for daily reminding me this journey was possible and reminding me to just take it one day at a time. Your help was invaluable and turned my impossibility into reality. Thank you for that.

To Jordan Coffman, Robyn Peck, Kacy Griesemer, Daniele Bushong, and Erika Hester for the extremely memorable moments (mostly because of your combined sharp wit) when it came to naming the book. That is a text thread I will forever cherish.

To Meagen Smith not only for being there every day for over half a decade now but for being the great coordinator of all things for my life.

To Matt Griffin for the time you spent reading the book over and over again when you didnt even have time to read your own book for your book club. But mostly for being the model of kindness to every person you meet.

Thank you to my mom, Judy Reamer.

Actually, this thank-you should be in all caps.

So THANK YOU, Mom! To say I dont know how this book could have been completed without you is an extreme understatement. Not only are you an amazing writer yourself, but your eye for editing and the way you put everything aside to help me regardless of what else was going on are why you are the mom I aspire to be.

To Pat McCauley and Sandy Feit not only for allowing my mom to convince you that this was the editing project for you but for working on it as if it were your own book.

To Bo Wright, Daniele Bushong, and Jessica Bushong for making the book come to life through the best book trailer I have ever watched.

To Kevin and Tonya Anderson for all of your help and creativity in discussing the book cover. Those were some of my favorite memories of this entire process. It didnt hurt that we were in the snowy mountains of Utah at the time!

To Amy Impellizzeri. You are an inspiration to all who want to step outside of their box and go for it. You went for it. And I am your biggest fan.

To Suzy Graham. We all need someone who shows us that the mountain is not as big as it seems. You are that person for me. How did I survive the first four decades of my life without you?

And finally, to Terry and the girls for allowing me the freedom to write and giving your unconditional love and joy every step of the way.

WHEN JILL DONOVAN picked me up from the airport in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in September 2016, I had no idea I had just met a kindred spirit. It didnt take long for us to hit it off as she drove me to the Gold Medal Gala, a fund-raiser for a nonprofit gymnastics program called Aim High Academy.

I had been invited to be the keynote speaker at the fund-raiser, and Jill was my host, which meant she drove me to and from the airport and made sure I had everything I needed in between. We made an instant connection and chatted as if wed known each other for years. I learned of her lifelong love of gymnastics and that even though it never did become her career, it was the catalyst that inspired her to continue learning and searching for other things she was passionate about.

Jill also told me I inspired her as a young gymnast to push past the pain and to dream bigger dreams, but in truth I was simply just blessed by God in my life, and thats my message to everyone I meet. I was told Id never make it to the Olympics, but with Gods help and hard work I persevered.

Thats the culture of gymnasticswe dont stop; we dont give up when people tell us no. When we lose something, we determine we will gain it back again. Thats a big part of my story, and I learned its a big part of Jills story as well.

Her hospitality and enthusiasm throughout my trip to Tulsa were infectious. So its no surprise to me that shes written The Kindness Effect, a book full of real-life stories exemplifying what can happen when you discover your gifts and become intentional about using them.

Thats exactly what Jill did. She left the legal profession when she followed her heart and discovered her true passion for giving. The result was the foundation of her wildly popular Rustic Cuff business. Now her favorite thing to do is inspire a giving heart in others. For Jill, its not about the gift itself but the connection made between two people.

As you read The Kindness Effect, youll savor every page of Jills engaging, honest, witty personality, and, like me, youll feel as if youve made a new best friend. Jill is not afraid to laugh at herself or reveal her innermost thoughts as she invites you to share her most embarrassing moments, deepest sorrows, and greatest joys. Through it all she weaves poignant lessons shes learned about the power of generous giving for a fulfilled journey through life.

After I spoke at that Aim High fund-raiser in Tulsa, Jill performed a floor routine in a celebrity gymnastic competition, and I was the judge, which was a lot of fun. Watching her perform, I could almost see the nine-year-old who dreamed those Olympic-sized dreams. Although her path led her elsewhere, I could still see the trademark characteristic of determination and drive that many gymnasts, athletes, and other successful people share.

When I give motivational talks like the one I gave in Tulsa that day, I tell kids they can achieve anything if they believe in it and commit to it with their whole heart. Through the pages of this book youll discover that during those times when Jill faced adversity and setbacks, she found a way to use them for good. By believing in herself and following her knower (something shell explain to you as you read further), she took what could have been the most devastating moment in her life and turned it into the greatest accomplishment. Thats what Ive come to admire about her, and I know its what inspires everyone she meets.