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

Richard Carlson (Author), Wayne Dyer (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 13, 2006

Many people believe they can only be happy when their problems are solved, relationships improve, and goals are achieved. In this simple guide, Dr. Richard Carlson shows readers how to be happy right now — no matter the situation. His plan, based on the principles of Thought (thoughts are voluntary, not involuntary);Mood (thinking is a voluntary that varies function varies from moment to moment and these variances are called moods); Separate Realities (everyone thinks in a unique way and lives in separate psychological realities); Feelings (feelings and emotions serve as a barometer for when one is “off-track” and headed for unhappiness); and the Present Moment (the only time when genuine contentment, satisfaction, and happiness).  This timeless book guides readers through life's challenges and restores the joy of living along the way.

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

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: New World Library; 15th anniversary edition (November 13, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577315685
• ISBN-13: 978-1577315681
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,597 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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 78 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

This review is from: You Can Be Happy No Matter What: Five Principles for Keeping Life in Perspective (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.

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

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

By 

Miss Jane "book girl" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: You Can Be Happy No Matter What: Five Principles for Keeping Life in Perspective (Paperback)

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 22 people found the following review helpful:

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

By A Customer

This review is from: You Can Be Happy No Matter What: Five Principles for Keeping Life in Perspective (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.