You Can Be Happy No Matter What: Five Principles for Keeping Life in Perspective [Paperback]

Ph.D. Richard Carlson (Author), Dr. Wayne Dyer (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 9, 1997

In this audio edition of You Can Be Happy No Matter What, Dr. Carlson reveals a profound breakthrough in human psychology. He shows that happiness has nothing to do with forces beyond our control, and, in fact, our natural state is contentment. With this simple and practical guide, Dr. Carlson shows us how to be happy now, before we solve our problems.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A most important book that shows us in practical terms how to remove the blocks to the awareness of our natural state, happiness.” — Gerald G. Jampolsky, MD, author of Love Is Letting Go of Fear “A needed counterbalance to the therapy junkie’s tendency to wallow in ‘processing’ while life’s beauty passes them by.” — Yoga Journal --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

From the Back Cover

"A most important book that shows us in practical terms how to remove the blocks to the awareness of our natural state, happiness."
-- Gerald G. Jampolsky, MD, author of Love Is Letting Go of Fear

"A needed counterbalance to the therapy junkie's tendency to wallow in `processing' while life's beauty passes them by."
-- Yoga Journal

"You will find Dr. Carlson's new approach very helpful -- solid, sensible, and filled with loving guidance."
-- Dr. Wayne Dyer, author of Your Erroneous Zones

"You Can Be Happy No Matter What will appeal to those caught in the tangles of outmoded thinking. It speaks simply to us in a way that's most fitting when we want to move out of dysfunctions into robust, effective living."
-- Marsha Sinetar, author of Developing a 21st-Century Mind

"A profoundly simple, hopeful, and human book about what's available to us all -- happiness."
-- Joseph Bailey, author of The Serenity Principle --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: New World Library; 2nd edition (June 9, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577310640
• ISBN-13: 978-1577310648
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (89 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,112,886 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

During his life, Richard Carlson, Ph.D, was considered one of the foremost experts in happiness and stress reduction in the United States and around the world and was a frequent featured guest on such shows as Oprah, The Today Show, The View, NNC, CNN, Fox, PBS and over 2000 other shows.Don't Sweat the Small Stuff continued to be a publishing phenomenon with over 20 titles in the brand franchise, two of which were co-authored and authored with his beloved wife, Kris. He died of a pulmonary embolism in December 2006, at the age of forty-five.

The words "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" have become a part of American Culture thanks to Richard Carlson's book that became a runaway best-seller and made publishing history as the #1 best-selling book in the United States for two consecutive years.
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff spent over 100 weeks on the New York Times Best-Seller list and is still considered one of the fastest selling books of all time and has sold over 15 million copies worldwide.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

83 of 85 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is Self Help at Its BEST! August 21, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Ever felt like depression and negativitity were swamping all the happiness out of your life? Then read this book before you turn to Prozac. When I first found this book, back in 1997, I instantly recognized myself in Dr. Carlson's descriptions of the way thoughts can play through one's head and cause you to act in reactionary, emotional ways when one is experiencing what he calls a "low mood." He teaches readers, though, through a step by step process, how to return once again, to a state of "healthy psychological functioning." This book is NOT another "positive thinking" book. No, it is one of the most profound little books you'll ever pick up. It teaches you how to recognize "low moods" and to avoid action during low moods. It shows how to return to "normal functioning." After reading the book version several times a year for the last couple of years, I recently bought a two-tape audio version of this book, which is read by the author, and allows me to review the book's key principles whenever I feel a low mood setting in for too long. Not just a book. A great mental health tool.

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good advice, but... September 19, 2005

By Miss Jane

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have to agree with all of the reviewers below: This book has some valuable insights. And because I am not unfamiliar with the concepts (see my review of "Napkin Notes on the Art of Living") I was interested to read a different presentation of similar material. Yes, we control our thoughts, our thoughts affect our moods, and feelings are a good indicator of when our thought process has derailed -- ie we're not living in the moment. And with a lot of patience and practice, we can navigate even the hardest things in life with more grace. But there were times while reading that my little voice said "This guy is making it sound way too easy... OR he's way too happy..." He insists that ignoring your low moods or negative feelings isn't "denial" but "deferral" of dealing with those feelings until you're in a better frame of mind, but often we aren't given that luxury. I worked really hard to maintain respect when, in two or three lines, he described how he was able to cope when a dear friend died in a car crash on the way to standing up to his wedding. Was it really as easy as he makes it sound? Human beings are complex, and often overwhelmed by feelings. So while this is good advice for many of life's ups and downs, I suspect the more complicated scenarios will require a bit more.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Depressed? Anxious? Try healthy psychological functioning!!! November 27, 1997

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This was the first of several books I read from Dr. Carlson, and I know it was a very instrumental part of my recovery process overcoming depression. I can't remember when I was so excited to read a book (except perhaps, when I read his book, "Shortcut Through Therapy"). I've read it three times, and bought four copies for other people who were also amazed at how much control they actually had over their own happiness!

The beauty of this book is it's simplicity. It combines principles and applications that are not difficult to understand and, with practice, almost effortless to implement. This book benefited me because I believed, that I had little or no control over my thoughts, feelings, moods, circumstances or happiness.

As I reflect after reading the book, I find that I have been feeling better longer. I still have low moods, but I don't sink as low, stay as long or hurt as bad as I used to. I'm still in therapy, and an end is in sight. My shrinks have substantially lenthened the time between visits, and reduced my meds considerably.

Thank you Dr. Carlson, for your helping hand when it was needed most.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wary of self-help books, like me? This book makes sense! August 19, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I can only add a few words to the mostly positive reviews already posted. The reader from Chicago unfortunately missed the point. Life does not have to be a self-improvement course. We _do_ have the tools we need to live a happy life, but so often deny ourselves, out of a notion that life is only meaningful if we "struggle for clarity", and earn our well-being. Over the years I've taken myself to task for mistakes,choices,relationships, in order to consider myself "worthy' of a happy

existence. The concepts in this book _are_ simple, but not stupid. Carlson's metaphor for living in the moment; the image of a motor boat, and it's wake, couldn't be easier to understand. We stand at the back of the boat, studying the wake, but it's the engine that moves us forward! As it is with our past, we can examine it, but like the wake, it's not going to get us anywhere.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This one stands out from the rest November 14, 2004

By infp321

Format:Paperback

My bookshelf is full of self-help books, but when I lose perspective this is the book I reach for first. Unfortunately it is also the first book I lend out or give away, so I didn't really come here to write a review -- I'm buying another copy or two. This will probably be my 12th copy or so.

The principles are simple, but simple in a way that time and again makes me say, "Oh yeah!" because out of habit I have slipped into very complicated ways of thinking that leave me feeling trapped and depressed and resisting my feelings themselves. My favorite principle (and most easily remembered in time of need) is the principle of moods, which reminds me that fighting my feelings will never work. I find this principle very freeing, because something cool happens when I give up that particular fight.

The only problem is that I don't remember the other principles very well right now cause I haven't read it in a while, and I just lent my copy out last weekend to a friend who's going through a breakup. So here I am.