One of the books I always regret reading late in my life is Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff … and It’s All Small Stuff by Richard Carlson. Mark my words: when you read this book, you will also feel the same. I even believe that it should be included in the primary education curriculum.
Below are the few main points I summarize.
- The great discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude.
- There are two rules for living in harmony. #1) Don’t sweat the small stuff and #2) it’s all small stuff.
- Change the things that can be changed, accept those that cannot, and have the wisdom to know the difference.
- Make peace with imperfection. The need for perfection and the desire for inner tranquillity conflict with each other.
- Notice what’s happening in your head before your thoughts have a chance to build any momentum. The sooner you catch yourself in the act of building your mental snowball, the easier it is to stop.
- Don’t interrupt others or finish their sentences.
- Let others have the glory.
- Learn to live life in the present moment. Life is what’s happening when we are busy making other plans.
- Mark Twain: I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.
- Imagine that everyone is enlightened except you. All you’re really doing is changing your perception from “why are they doing this?” to “what they are trying to teach me?” Take a look around today at all the enlightened people.
- Let others be “right” most of the time. Ask yourself: do I want to be right or to be happy? Many times, the two are mutually exclusive.
- Become more patient. Patience adds a dimension of ease and acceptance to your life. It’s essential for inner peace.
- Patience also involves seeing innocence in others.
- Create practice patience periods, say for 5 minutes.
- Ask yourself: will this matter a year from now.
- Allow yourself to be bored. We are no longer human beings; we are human doings.
- Seek first to understand.
- Become a better listener.
- You will experience both praise and blame.
- See the innocence.
- Choose being kind over being right.
- Practice humility.
- Resist the urge to criticize.
- Understand the statement, wherever you go, there you are.
- Breathe before you speak.
- Relax and enjoy your driving time.
- Most of us postpone relaxation until our “in-basket” is empty. Of course, it never is.
- We form opinions and spend our entire lifetimes validating what we believe to be true.
- When you are angry, count to 10 before responding.
- There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.
- Meditate by sitting alone quietly, closing your eyes and focusing your attention on breath – in and out, in and out.
- Be an early riser.
- Live each day as if it is your last.