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`Don't Sweat the Small Stuff' author visits Taipei

US author Richard Carlson, right, meets with Buddhist master Shung Yen, head of the Dharma Drum Mountain Society, during his visit to Taipei as a guest of the Government Information Office and the 8th Taipei International Book Exhibition. The two talked about religion, zen, the 921 earthquake and international relations. PHOTO: LIBERTY TIMES

Bestselling advice author Richard Carlson flew into Taipei Wednesday morning, after taping TV interviews in New York to promote his latest book, and true to form, he wasn't about to "start sweating the small stuff" -- like jet lag or lack of sleep.

Carlson can't let the little things drag him down -- it would be bad for his image. As author of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, which has sold five million copies so far, he's always telling people not to get bogged down in the everyday complexities of life.

The first book in what has now become a series was subtitled Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking over Your Life.

Offering readers a smorgasbord of 100 meditations designed to make them appreciate life more and cherish other people as "the unique miracles they are," Carlson's book has been called an "owner's manual of the heart" and important to becoming a "happier, more harmonious person."

Psychobabble? Maybe. But the stuff sells and book publishers take the bubbly, friendly Carlson seriously. The book has already appeared in 100 countries, the author said Thursday during a visit to the 8th Taipei International Book Fair at the World Trade Center.

Other titles by Richard Carlson: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff at Work Don't Sweat the Small Stuff With Your Family Don't Sweat the Small Stuff in Love Don't Worry, Make Money

Here in Taiwan, China Times Publishing, one of the major publishing houses in Taipei, has issued translations of five of Carlson's works, the most recent being Don't Sweat the Small Stuff in Love: Simple Ways to Nurture and Strengthen Your Relationships While Avoiding the Habits That Break Down Your Loving.

From taipei to teheran

Carlson's advice appears to have universal applications and his books work equally well in Taipei as in Teheran or Tokyo.

In simple chapters, he shows readers how to calm down in the middle of a hurried, stress-filled life.

"People can learn to put things into perspective by making small daily changes in their lives such as choosing their battles wisely, making peace with imperfection and reminding themselves that when they die their `in' boxes won't be empty," he writes in one of his books.

It's advice that some publishers think will play well in Taiwan.

"His books are doing real well here," said China Times Publishing's president Mo Chao-ping, who picked up Carlson's books after they appeared in the US. "Taiwanese need his advice as much as anyone. His philosophy could go a long way to making Taiwanese people slow down and stop to smell the flowers in our hectic daily lives."

Carlson was in Taipei this week as a guest of the Government Information Office, sponsor of the 8th Taipei International Book Fair, which continues through Monday. This is Carlson's first visit to Taiwan.

He said he wanted to come here after seeing widespread TV coverage in the US about the 921 quake.

"It was really inspiring for those of us in the US to see so many people coming together after the quake to help in the rescue and relief efforts," Carlson said. "We saw the whole country come together to help rebuild."

While in Taipei, Carlson had a chance to meet with Buddhist master Shung Yen, head of the Dharma Drum Mountain Society. During their informal conversation, Carlson and Shung Yen spoke about the need to live one's life to the fullest and not to live with regrets or pent-up anger.

When Carlson asked Shung Yen how he counseled victims of the 921 earthquake last fall, the Buddhist master said he advised people not to dwell on the past but to look to the future and rebuild their lives.

No one is perfect

When asked if he has ever forgotten his own advice and found himself in situations where he unconsciously started sweating the small stuff, Carlson said: "Yes, it doesn't happen often, but it has happened, sure. Once I was running to catch a plane at an airport in the US, and I was in a big rush, going from one city to another on a book tour, and they cancelled my flight.

"At the ticket counter, when I heard the news, I was just about to lose control and pound the counter in anger, when someone behind me said, `Aren't you Richard Carlson, the author of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff?' and my hand came down real quickly to my side, real calm."
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