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There is a book that I have been reading since 1997 by Richard Carlson. It is called Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff… And It’s All Small Stuff.  In a world where there is so much that we worry about, this book is like fresh air that really cleans and clears.  It is a book that I do not get bored of, and the messages seem to stay alive over the years.  This week I would like to share some of Carlson’s messages.

1-      Spend a moment every day thinking of someone to thank:  Every day spend a few moments to feel gratitude for the events in your life and thank a person that made life more peaceful, enjoyable or easier for you.  I realize that even in my most difficult and upsetting days, there is always someone to thank, someone to feel grateful for. And I choose to say the words, to say ‘thank you’ to people to make me feel this way. And if the person that comes to your mind is not close by, why not send your thanks through your thoughts.

2-      Choose your battles wisely:  This is a reminder to distinguish between what is important for us to defend and to fight for and the tiny irritations that may turn into major frustrations.  As we get into the habit of arguing, disagreeing and proving out opinion right, this may develop into a habit of seeing the wrong side of everything.  We might get caught up in the “I am right ,You are wrong game”. It is worth looking into what is really important for us. Carlson asks us to look into the small events that we fight about, within our families, with our neighbours or at work.  He reminds us that fighting usually creates a stressful energy that keeps us from enjoying our days and life.

3-      Tell three people today how much you love them:  Japanese scientist Masaru Emoto through his experiments with water crystals showed us the effects of words on water, and on us since our bodies are made up of mostly water. ‘Love’  as a word seems to have a very positive impact on us. Water that was shown the words ‘love and gratitude’ seems to form beautiful crystals when frozen.  Apart from the effects of the sharing, the positive frequencies of the words “I love you” will heal both you and the receiver of the words. And you know what the language it is said in does not matter. As Emoto’s experiments show the word ‘love’ in all languages forms beautiful crystals in water.

4-      Remind yourself that when you die, your ‘in basket’ won’t be empty:  I guess I will always have long to do lists. I love the feeling of having things to do. It frustrates me at times, but it also gives motivation to do, to complete, to accomplish. As I look ten-fifteen years back, I remember times when my “to do” lists needed to be completed before I allowed myself to enjoy something else. Now I realize that life is a process more than a long list of things done.  And as I concentrate on my priorities, the list seems to get shorter and shorter. At one point the need for the list disappears, as I choose to live to enjoy every moment with whatever it brings me, which I accept that which I used to label good or bad.

5-      Learn to live in the present moment:  This is really worth the effort how much cheesy it sounds. Since Eckhart Tolle’s book “Power of Now”, everybody seems to say it. Yet, if and when I am able to stay in the moment, without lingering in the past or speculating about the future, I seem to accomplish a lot more. The present moment offers a magical power of concentration that I recommend you to try as well. How? Well, first of all just intend, intend to stay in the moment, to concentrate on what the “now” brings and offers. And welcome it and accept it. And see what happens…

Some more suggestions from Carlson are:

6-      Let others be ‘right’ most of the time

7-      Become more patient

8-      Create ‘patience practice periods’

9-      Think of your problems as potential teachers

10-  Get comfortable not knowing

11-  Do something nice for someone else – and don’t tell anyone about it.

And there are many more…

If you are interested some of Richard Carlson’s other books are: Handbook for the Soul, You can Feel Good Again and You Can Be Happy No Matter What.

I would like to leave you with one question from Carlson this week that I really find helpful. When faced with a problem to determine how to deal with it, please ask “        Will this matter a year from now?”  Your answer might make a great difference.

Angel of the Week:  Strength

Affirmation of the Week: I now deserve love, romance and joy – and all the good that Life has to offer me.

With love and light,

Z.