[.ca] Don't Get Scrooged CD: How to Thrive in a World Full of ... (ISBN 0061149799)

Wonderful!:
Richard Carlson was an amazingly talented author and human being. His understanding and sensible suggestions are practical ways of helping anyone. I enjoy all his writings and have found that his books are great gifts for the people you love and care for.

Practical Advice for Enduring Life's Struggle With Blockheads and Numbskulls:
This introduced me to Richard Carlson's work. I chose the CD (over the book) for no particular reason. The title itself grabbed me, as it captured a viewpoint that reflected my own vision of the world. The CD seems rather lightweight at first, but upon reflection and additional listening, I detected the subtle profundity buried beneath the seemingly folksy advice. I believe he draws upon Eastern philosophies (Buddhism/Taoism) to shape his advice. Like the concept of "wu wei wu" from Taoism, Carlson carefully illustrates how doing nothing about confrontational situations can often result in very positive results. The crux of his argument is that the more secure you are with yourself, the more resilient and battle-hardened you will become in dealing with obnoxious individuals ... perhaps... even learning to feel a sense of compassion for those who resort to bad behavior to express their inner frustration, unresolved personal conflicts, or general maladjustment to the world. I recommend this to anyone who is at his/her wits end in dealing with a difficult person. You'll come away with some fresh ideas -- not always easy to play out -- but very, very practical and wise.