1
One of the mistakes many of us make is that we feel sorry for ourselves, or for others, thinking that life should be fair, or that someday it will be. It's not and it won't. When we make this mistake we tend to spend a lot of time wallowing and/or complaining about what's wrong with life. "It's not fair, " we complain, not realizing that, perhaps, it was never intended to be.Richard Carlson
2
Effective listening is more than simply avoiding the bad habit of interrupting others while they are speaking or finishing their sentences. It's being content to listen to the entire thought of someone rather than waiting impatiently for your chance to respond.Richard Carlson
3
The fact that we can't see the beauty in something doesn't suggest that it's not there. Rather, it suggests that we are not looking carefully enough or with a broad enough perspective to see it.Richard Carlson
4
Something wonderful begins to happen with the simple realization that life, like an automobile, is driven from the inside out, not the other way around. As you focus more on becoming more peaceful with where you are, rather than focusing on where you would rather be, you begin to find peace right now, in the present. Then, as you move around, try new things, and meet new people, you carry that sense of inner peace with you. It's absolutely true that, "Wherever you go, there you are. .Richard Carlson
5
If you want your life to stand for peace and kindness, it's helpful to do kind, peaceful things.Richard Carlson
6
Life didn't come with a fool-proof manual.Richard Carlson
7
100: Live This Day as if It Were Your Last.Richard Carlson
8
...when you let go of your expectations, when you accept life as it is, you're free. To hold on is to be serious and uptight. To let go is to lighten up.Richard Carlson
9
We deny the parts of ourselves that we deem unacceptable rather than accepting the fact that we're all less than perfect.Richard Carlson
10
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
11
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
12
Now is the only time we have, and the only time that we have any control over.Richard Carlson