Don't Sweat the Small Stuff and It's All Small Stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life

by Richard Carlson

Although it’s a difficult habit to break, it’s not only enjoyable but actually peaceful to have the quiet confidence to be able to surrender your need for attention and instead share in the joy of someone else’s glory. Rather than jumping right in and saying, “Once I did the same thing” or “Guess what I did today,” bite your tongue and notice what happens. Just say, “That’s wonderful,” or “Please tell me more,” and leave it at that. The person you are speaking to will have so much more fun and, because you are so much more “present,” because you are listening so carefully, he or she won’t feel in competition with you.

Now is the only time we have, and the only time that we have any control over.

We only have today.

“What are they trying to teach me?” Take a look around today at all the enlightened people.

Let other people be right.

When you allow yourself to be bored, it takes an enormous amount of pressure off you to be performing and doing something every second of every day.