Product Description

Got a stress case in your life? Of course you do: "Without question, many of us have mastered the neurotic art of spending much of our lives worrying about a variety of things all at once." Carlson's cheerful book aims to make us stop and smell--if not roses--whatever is sitting in front of our noses. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff... offers 100 meditations designed to make you appreciate being alive, keep your emotions (especially anger and dissatisfaction) in proper perspective, and cherish other people as the unique miracles they are. It's an owner's manual of the heart, and if you follow the directions, you will be a happier, more harmonious person. Like Stairmasters, oat bran, and other things that are good for you, the meditations take discipline. Even so, some of the strategies are kind of fun: "Imagine the people in your life as tiny infants and as 100-year-old adults." The trouble is, once you start, it's hard to stop.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2464 in Books
• Published on: 1997-01-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

Amazon.com
Got a stress case in your life? Of course you do: "Without question, many of us have mastered the neurotic art of spending much of our lives worrying about a variety of things all at once." Carlson's cheerful book aims to make us stop and smell--if not roses--whatever is sitting in front of our noses. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff... offers 100 meditations designed to make you appreciate being alive, keep your emotions (especially anger and dissatisfaction) in proper perspective, and cherish other people as the unique miracles they are. It's an owner's manual of the heart, and if you follow the directions, you will be a happier, more harmonious person. Like Stairmasters, oat bran, and other things that are good for you, the meditations take discipline. Even so, some of the strategies are kind of fun: "Imagine the people in your life as tiny infants and as 100-year-old adults." The trouble is, once you start, it's hard to stop.

From Library Journal
Stress consultant Carlson reads his self-help guide with conviction, his gentle voice clear and persuasive. He presents common-sense advice for living a less hectic and more meaningful, loving life. His essential message is that we get caught up in minutiae, "the small stuff," and never get around to doing what makes us or our loved ones happy. He advises readers to engage in such small acts as paying someone a compliment daily, putting a lid on keeping track of who does what around the house, and writing a letter to a friend. Carlson urges small daily changes and uses examples of improvement from his own life to show how the advice works, making the book ideally suited to the audio format. Tape quality is excellent. Recommended for public libraries.?Nancy R. Ives, SUNY at Geneseo
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
Learning to live in the present, increasing stress tolerance, living each day as if it might be the last, and accepting imperfections consistently are a few of the lessons taught by Dr. Richard Carlson. Calm, convincing, confident and effective, Dr. Carlson stresses the importance of keeping life in perspective, allowing the important things to gain priority, resulting in a more satisfying and centered outlook. Carlson focuses on eliminating many of the complications unknowingly created by the average person. He emphasizes simplicity in daily living by abandoning externally caused stress. Listeners may want a "second listen" of this single-cassette program to ensure long-term results. B.J.P. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Customer Reviews

Zen comes to Suburbia
This book could have easily been titled: Basic Zen Buddhism for Suburbanites. If you look at the principles Richard Carlson teaches they are absolutely Zen 101 (albeit specifically tailored to a modern, western audience). Ideas such as living in the moment, non-attachment to the transitory nature of life, taking time to sit quietly each day (or as a well-known Soto Zen teacher once said, "Don't just do something, sit there"), contemplating your own mortality as a method of keeping the events of your life in perspective... all of these are a part of basic Buddhist practice. While anyone who has practiced one of the eastern contemplative disciplines will find this old hat, these lessons are invaluable for the average person - I bought this for my new wife who tends to get obsessive when it comes to the little things. There's a reason these ideas have been around for thousands of years - they work!

Good Point
I think the title says it all, overall great book! I also recommend Mr Instability and which way both excellent reads.

Why Sweat At All? Have Fun... and be present within each moment of your life instead!
In his book "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff... and it's all small stuff", author Richard Carlson, PH.D. offers witty and accessible stories emphasizing how life can be so much more fun by living a worry-free existence. Who knew? Carlson's philosophy makes so much sense. Instead of giving each and every situation a `life and death' urgency, Carlson suggests a gentler approach to life. He actually insists that life can be fun, and free from the mechanical, ritualistic reactions to every day life situations. In one of my favorite chapters in the book, Carlson discusses the relevance of `boredom'. He explains that we spend far too much energy distracting ourselves with superficial engagements, filling up our appointment books while we neglect to nurture our souls. Spending quiet time alone or with loved ones and enjoying each and every moment in life can be sufficiently engaging indeed.

Two of my favorite authors, Ariel and Shya Kane, also offer wonderful, engaging stories that help inspire me to lead a more fruitful, enriched life in their new book "Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment". In one of my favorite passages, Ariel and Shya discuss the importance of slowing down in order to be fully present within each moment of our lives. The Kanes suggest that instead of rushing through our daily activities, we can have greater fulfillment and enjoyment by "taking our time and being where you are". These truly enlightening books by Carlson and the Kanes suggest that life can be fun by taking the time to enjoy every moment of it! It seems easy- and guess what, it is!