Richard Carlson Quotes (35 quotes) | Quotes of famous people

Lesson 1, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and it’s all Small Stuff (1997)
Context: 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 blow them out of proportion. … 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 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.

Richard Carlson Quotes about people

“I’m merely talking about learning to be less bothered by the actions of people.”

Richard Carlson

Source: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff ... and it's all small stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life

“There is no prescription for how to practice random kindness. It comes from the heart. Your gift might be to pick up litter in your neighborhood, make an anonymous contribution to a charity, send some cash in an unmarked envelope to make someone experiencing financial stress breathe a little easier, save an animal by bringing it to an animal rescue agency, or get a volunteer position feeding hungry people at a church or shelter. You may want to do all these things, and more. The point is, giving is fun and it doesn't have to be expensive.”

Richard Carlson

Lesson 34, Practice Random Acts of Kindness
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and it’s all Small Stuff (1997)

“Ask yourself: Is there any way I can become even more loving than I am? Can I fill my heart with more loving kindness? Can you, despite the fact that there are less than perfect people in our world, think loving thoughts about yourself and about others? Spread that love around as far as your mind will allow!”

Richard Carlson

As quoted at the Richard Carlson Memorial Website http://richardcarlson.com/

“Let Go of the Idea that Gentle, Relaxed People Can't Be Superachievers”

Richard Carlson

Title of Lesson 3
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and it’s all Small Stuff (1997)

Richard Carlson Quotes

“Practice Random Acts of Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty”

Richard Carlson

Lesson 34, Practice Random Acts of Kindness
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and it’s all Small Stuff (1997)
Context: There is a bumper sticker that has been out for some time now. You see it on cars all across the nation. It says, "Practice Random Acts of Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty." I have no idea who thought of this idea, but I've never seen a more important message on a car in front of me.
Practicing random kindness is an effective way to get in touch with the joy of giving without expecting anything in return. It's best practiced without letting anyone know what you are doing.

“When our familiar world falls apart, especially through the pain of death — of losing someone we love — we are shaken at our very core. We realize, perhaps for the first time, that there is no easy or quick way out. We must go through the process, which will be a little different for each of us — the common thread being pain.”

Richard Carlson

Finding Life after Death http://richardcarlson.com/RC_Words/life_after_death.html <br class="br">What About the Big Stuff (2002) <br class="br">Context: When our familiar world falls apart, especially through the pain of death — of losing someone we love — we are shaken at our very core. We realize, perhaps for the first time, that there is no easy or quick way out. We must go through the process, which will be a little different for each of us — the common thread being pain.<br>In the midst of that inner struggle, however, something begins to happen. There are the moments that are most resisted — and there is extreme pain. Simultaneously, however, there are voluntary or involuntary bursts of letting go. Perhaps the pain is too much for the moment — the mind takes a break, shuts down, or wakes up, I’m not really sure. But in those moments, there is a release from the pain; an acknowledgment that although we don’t understand it, and it hurts like hell, the universe somehow knows what it’s doing.

“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 blow them out of proportion.”

Richard Carlson

“Choose to be kind over being right and you'll be right everytime.”

Richard Carlson

Variant: Choose being kind over being right and you'll be right every time.

“Don't sweat the small stuff… and it's all small stuff.”

Richard Carlson

Source: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff... and it's all small stuff

“You are what you practice most.”

Richard Carlson

“If we would just slow down, happiness would catch up to us.”

Richard Carlson

“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

Source: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff ... and it's all small stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life

“Even though we often mess up, most of us are doing the best that we know how with the circumstances that surround us.”

Richard Carlson

Source: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff ... and it's all small stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life

“Your heart, the compassionate part of you, knows that it’s impossible to feel better at the expense of someone else.”

Richard Carlson

Source: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff ... and it's all small stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life

“Be Aware of the Snowball Effect of Your Thinking”

Richard Carlson

Title of Lesson 4
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and it’s all Small Stuff (1997)

“Let Others Have the Glory”

Richard Carlson

Title of Lesson 9
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and it’s all Small Stuff (1997)

“One of my favorite sayings comes from Seng-Ts’an. He said, "Our way is not difficult, save the picking and choosing." Entire books and weeklong courses could be developed around these words. The wisdom is simple, but extremely powerful and profound, particularly when dealing with loss. Although it’s so much easier said than done, when we take a step back and a full breath, we can see loss from what I believe is the deepest perspective.”

Richard Carlson

Finding Life after Death
What About the Big Stuff (2002)

“The shortest distance between two points is an intention and this is certainly the case when it comes to becoming more loving to oneself and to others. We must first have the desire and then the intention and commitment to be a source of love — this means that rather than waiting for the world to be more loving, we decide that we will be the first one to reach out and act loving — no matter what!”

Richard Carlson

Fill your Life with Love (2006)

“Healing from a loss is a natural process of life — just as healing from a broken bone is too. Knowing this in the midst of pain is of great comfort.
If it’s at all possible, don’t be alone. Seek out the comfort and help you need and deserve. This is not the time to be brave or strong. Instead it’s the time to reach out to others and to be open to receive their kindness. It’s your turn. Finding life after death is among the greatest challenges we face. But it is possible, and it will happen for you. I send you my love. :)”

Richard Carlson

Finding Life after Death
What About the Big Stuff (2002)

“Treasure Yourself”

Richard Carlson

His signature line at the end of all his correspondence, as quoted in The San Francisco Chronicle (16 December 2006) http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/12/16/BAGI9N0MOA1.DTL

“Search for the Grain of Truth in Other Opinions”

Richard Carlson

Title of Lesson 52
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and it’s all Small Stuff (1997)

“Do Something Nice for Someone Else — and Don't Tell Anyone About It”

Richard Carlson

Title of Lesson 8
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and it’s all Small Stuff (1997)

“Turn Your Melodrama into a Mellow-Drama”

Richard Carlson

Title of Lesson 60
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and it’s all Small Stuff (1997)