Top 25 growth books - XIII

Don't Sweat The Small Stuff... and It's All Small Stuff

Richard Carlson, Ph.D.

A few quotes from the book:

“One of the mistakes many of us make is that we feel sorry for ourselves, or for others, thinking that life should be fair, or that someday it will be. It's not and it won't. When we make this mistake we tend to spend a lot of time wallowing and/or complaining about what's wrong with life. "It's not fair," we complain, not realizing that, perhaps, it was never intended to be.” 

“True happiness comes not when we get rid of all of our problems,but when we change our relationship to them, when we see our problems as a potential source of awakening, opportunities to practice, and to learn.”

Richard Carlson (1961 – 2006) was an American author, psychotherapist, and motivational speaker, who rose to fame with this book book. This book has been translated in 30 languages and published in 135 countries.

The book contains 100 short chapters. Each chapter contains true life examples of how we allow small stuff to take control of our lives which stresses us badly. He comes up with ideas with how to work around these small stuff and live life peacefully and with joy.

Live in the now. When you look around, it's easy to see no one has a guarantee he or she will be here tomorrow; right now is the only time we have control over. When we focus on the present moment, fear of what might happen in the future (and most of these fearful events never happen) goes away so we are more relaxed.

Listening with patience is another area where most of us trip up. Either we interrupt while the other is speaking or finish the sentence for him. It is a sign of overall tendency of impatience. Allowing the other person to finish speaking is a mark of patience which improves relationships.

"One thing at a time." is another recommendation by the author. When you do too many things at once, it's impossible to concentrate on the present moment. Result: You cannot fully enjoy the moment because you are less effective and focused.

Here are some chapter titles that illustrate the broad range of anti-anxiety subject matter covered in the book: "Surrender to the Fact that Life Isn't Fair; "Allow Yourself to be Bored; "Seek First to Understand; "Become Aware of Your Moods and Don't Allow Yourself to be Fooled by the Low Ones; "Practice Random Acts of Kindness; "Choose Being Kind Over Being Right; "Every Day, Tell at Least One Person Something You Like, Admire or Appreciate About Them; "Resist The Urge to Criticize; "Write Down Your Five Most Stubborn Positions and See if You Can Soften Them; "Become a Less Aggressive Driver; "Think of What You Have Instead of What You Want; "Think of Your Problems as Potential Teachers; "Get Comfortable Not Knowing; "Remember, One Hundred Years from Now, All New People; "Mind Your Own Business; "Live This Day as if it Were Your Last. It Might Be!"

Read the book and give it your kids to read. there is something for everybody.

A very interesting read which will compel you to take stock of your behavior on each issue.

Namaste

Prabir