We dedicate this book to our daughters, Jazzy and Kenna.
The greatest gift we can give you is the love we have for each other.
Richard Carlson was a great human being. An author whose books inspired and elevated the lives of many millions of people, Richard was a man of vast authenticity, creativity, and humanity.
We live in a volatile world. Entertainment has become more attractive than education. Personal gain is pursued more than individual growth. Being selfless is less sexy than taking selfies. It seems to many of us that society has lost its way.
And so, Dont Sweat the Small Stuff has never been so relevant.
It remains a phenomenon today, reminding us with simple brilliance of what it takes to rise to our best and what we need to do to enjoy a life beautifully lived.
I first met Richard at a large gathering. He was the famous headliner, and I was his opening act, just starting out in the field of personal development and life mastery after leaving a career as a litigation lawyer. As introverts, we both wished we didnt have to do the VIP meet and greet and make the small talk the host asked that we make. But we did it, and laughed about our discomfort and mutual love of solitude after the session was over. That first encounter led to a great friendship.
I didnt see Richard as often as I would have liked, as we lived on opposite ends of a continent. However I got to know him well, through our phone calls and digital connections. I discovered his depth, his humor, his devotion to family, and his remarkable commitment to doing his part to make our world a better place.
Richard Carlson was taken away from us too early, but life has its own flow and delivers unexpected twists that not one of us can fully understand. Please know that the book you are about to read was written by a man of uncommon wisdom and a person of deep love.
I know the words that follow will inspire, influence, and lift you, as they have for so many others, in so many nationspeople who long for a richer life and a larger impact, as well as a world where we all are happier, healthier, braver, and kinder.
My sense is Richard would feel blessed that this new edition is being released at this time of great global uncertainty, knowing that he remains an instrument of service to so many.
I celebrate him, his contribution, and the publishing of this very special edition.
And I congratulate you for choosing it.
With love and respect,
Robin Sharma
Author of The Monk
Who Sold His Ferrari
and The Leader Who
Had No Title
Thanks so much to Robin Sharma for writing such a beautiful foreword in celebration of twenty years of the Dont Sweat the Small Stuff books.
It is an honor and a privilege to carry on the series for my late husband, Dr. Richard Carlson, and to speak on behalf of his legacya legacy born from his keen observations of mental health and well-being and also from the chapters of our lives. He had a gift for taking profound ideas and stating them so simply, but in a way that powerfully resonates as truth with all people, regardless of their culture, religion, language, politics, and gender.
Lifes minor annoyances can become kindling to a fire, and crisis can become the melting point for many not knowing where to turn for help.
Over the years the letters and testimonials have kept coming, and the one thing that is commonly said over and over is, This book helped me through a crisis. Its my Bible for living. Ive been reading it many times over, and it always calms me. Or as Oprah once said of the book, Its next to the bed. Or, this small book with easy-to-read chapters sits in the bathroom. Many others have said also, I carry it with me.
I believe the reason why Richards words elevate awareness and alleviate anxiety, helping people to feel better, is because he knew how to give people the confidence and the tools necessary to access their mental health. Before the rise of Positive Psychology, Richard was pioneering its concepts, writing under the premise that most people are generally healthy minded but get off track easily. He would say, no person is happy all the time, but you can get back on track faster with small adjustments to your thinking and attitude, with practice.
This book will bring you back to your core values of gentle kindness. As you read along, youll remember your natural state of well-being and what it means to live compassionately and truly in the present, mindful and engaged in your life.
Life is a practice and what you practice grows like a seedling that gets water and sunlight. What you practice grows stronger.
This book will guide you beautifully in how to partake of life simply and in how to deepen your understanding of what it means to be a truly happy person, fulfilling your potential while having a positive impact on others.
I can personally say, no matter what, that after reading this book and embracing the wisdom here, you will have the tools to choose not to sweat the small stuff, and to live the big stuffwith greater happiness, peace, and big joy!
In honor of my late husband, Dr. Richard Carlson, I carry on with the legacy that has changed millions of peoples lives for the better. Every generation needs Dont Sweat the Small Stuff for better living.
Treasure the gifts of life and love,
Kristine Carlson
After almost two decades since the original release of Dont Sweat the Small Stuff, Richard Carlsons insights on the meaning of life continue to be timeless. The book teaches us to focus on the now and find balance by living through contentment.
Deepak Chopra
Dont Sweat the Small Stuff has the power to change our individual and collective lives. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Richard Carlson and his beloved wife Kristine for their wisdom and compassion in bringing transformational practices and perspectives to millions of readers.
Shauna Shapiro, author of The Art and Science of Mindfulness
This potent little book was a phenomenon when it was published twenty years ago. And it remains a phenomenon today, reminding us with simple brilliance of what it takes to rise to our best. And what we need to do to enjoy a life beautifully lived. The words that follow will inspire, influence, and lift you, as they have for so many others, in so many nations.
Robin Sharma, New York Times bestselling author of The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
Richard Carlson caused a revolution in all our thinking with his Dont Sweat the Small Stuff books. He was like a Zen master in disguise, taking almost an aw-shucks attitude toward shifting the culture.
Marianne Williamson, New York Times bestselling author of A Return to Love
When you ask people questions like, How is your relationship going, you will often hear replies like, Its okay, I guess, or a variety of other equally unenthusiastic or unsure responses. For whatever reasons, many people seem to believe that its normal and perfectly acceptable to settle for an okay relationship. Sometimes, even couples who report that they have a good relationship appear to be confused about what a good relationship really means. In other words, they might say they have a nice relationship, yet they seem to experience or express ongoing irritation and frustration with their partner, or with at least some aspects of their relationship. There may be ongoing conflict or bickering, a lack of harmony or satisfaction, resentment, a desire for their partner to be different, or simply a shortage of true joy and gratitude.