(1) Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

Starting from today, I'm going to be blogging a chapter a day from the book "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" by Richard Carlson. I've already gone through the book once, and I must say I've learnt and re-learnt so much from it. I find it so useful, that I'm going through the book once more. This time however, I want to write out what Richard Carlson is saying so that I can internalize it.

So note: This is not my work, and my blogging a chapter a day is solely for my own purpose of personal growth. Please do not copy this material and use it for profit. Buy a copy from the book shop. I assure you, it's worth every cent.

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Often we allow ourselves to get all worked up about things, that upon closer examination, aren't really that big a deal. We focus on little problems and concerns and blow them way out of proportion. A stranger, for example, might cut in front of us in traffic. Rather than let it go, and go on with our day, we convince ourselves that we are justified in our anger. We play out an imaginary confrontation in our mind. Many of us may even tell someone else about the incident rather than let it go.

Why not instead simply allow the driver to have his accident somewhere else? Try to have compassion for the person and remember how painful it is to be in such an enormous hurry. This way, we can maintain our own sense of well-being and avoid taking other people's problems personally.

There are many similar, "small stuff" examples that occur every day in our lives. Whether we had to wait in line, listen to unfair criticism, or do the lion's share of the work, it pays enormous dividends if we learn not to worry about the little things. So many people spend so much of their life energy "sweating the small stuff" that they completely lose touch with the magic and beauty of life. When you commit to working towards this goal you will find that you will have far more energy to be kinder and gentler.