It's Not As Tough As You Think : How to Smooth Out Life's Bumps

by Twerski, Abraham J., MD

• ISBN13: 9781578192595
• ISBN10: 1578192595
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-03-01
• Publisher: Mesorah Pubns Ltd

Summary

[This book shows us that] life can be much easier if we cut its problems down to bite size. [The author, a] rabbi [and] a psychiatrist, shares with us some of the invaluable insights he has gained through his extensive experience.... There are many stresses in daily living, but we can take distress out of stress. We can modify our attitudes, use coping techniques, and reach out for help. Even big challenges can be dealt with effectively. [The author] shows how we can put a different spin on things, so that we can be more productive and happier. Here are just a few of the many ideas you'll find in this book: there's magic in a smile; stress can be beneficial; some mountains melt into molehills; lack of success is not equivalent to failure; you're more okay than not.... In this book, [the author] points out some of the things we can do. His simple, down-to-earth ideas are refreshing in a world of complexities. -Back cover.

Author Biography

Abraham J. Twerski, M.D. is a psychiatrist and an ordained rabbi. He is the founder of the Gateway Rehabilitation Center in Pittsburgh, a leading center for addiction treatment. He is Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Twerski is a prolific author, with 28 books to his credit, 4 of them in collaboration with Charles Schulz, creator of the Peanuts comic strip.

Table of Contents

Introduction	13	(15)
May You Have Many Worries	15	(2)
Behind At half Time	17	(2)
Who Wants to Be Married to a Loser?	19	(2)
It All Depends on How You See It	21	(2)
Where Do the Check Marks Go?	23	(2)
If Only You Knew More, You Might Not Be so Frustrated	25	(2)
You Want to be Heard, Don't You?	27	(4)
Avoid the Need for Regrets	31	(2)
Futile Actions Are Futile	33	(2)
It May Be Very Big	35	(2)
Take Things in Perspective	37	(4)
Judge Favorably and Act Accordingly	41	(2)
Stay Within Reality	43	(2)
Aged Wine Is Superior	45	(2)
Run for Your Life	47	(2)
Life Emulates Prayer	49	(2)
Losing Can Be Winning	51	(2)
There May Be Salvation in a Crisis	53	(2)
The Sage of the Salmon	55	(2)
Nowadays, It's Tougher	57	(2)
We Are Never Alone	59	(2)
There's Magic in a Smile	61	(2)
A Move In the Right Direction	63	(2)
Don't Get Paranoid	65	(2)
Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction	67	(2)
First Things (Big Things) First	69	(2)
Tolerating Suspense	71	(2)
The Narrow Bridge	73	(2)
A Sober Outlook	75	(2)
Well-Chosen Words	77	(2)
Don't Respond Prematurely, Even in Thought	79	(2)
Silence Speaks in a Loud Voice	81	(2)
Converting A Mistake into Something Meaningful	83	(2)
Keep Your Interests Fresh	85	(2)
Crying Is Not a Sin (and Certainly Not a Shame)	87	(2)
Expect the Best, Not the Worst	89	(4)
Ambition or Proving Yourself?	93	(2)
Maybe I Do Have an Erroneous Self-Concept	95	(2)
They Are Really Not Talking About You	97	(2)
Positive Parenting	99	(4)
Want to be Nudnik-Proof?	103	(2)
You Are Worth It	105	(2)
Don't Wait for the Other Person to Say He's Sorry	107	(2)
Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil	109	(2)
Growth Is Not Painless	111	(2)
Not Everything Emotional Is Psychological	113	(4)
Now, Isn't That Absurd?	117	(2)
Coping With Pain	119	(4)
There Is a Master Plan	123	(2)
Accentuate the Positives	125	(2)
You Can Expect Only What You Are	127	(2)
You Can't or You Won't	129	(2)
Escaping Reality	131	(2)
Don't Spread Misery	133	(2)
Some Mountains Melt Into Molehills	135	(2)
An Image Reflecting in the Water	137	(2)
I'm Not Perfect, You're Not Perfect	139	(2)
Tune in	141	(2)
The Joy in Gratitude	143	(2)
I've Got a Little List	145	(2)
Keeping it Simple	147	(2)
Our Roles May Change, But Not Our Value	149	(2)
Apologize? Not Always	151	(2)
Children: Going Away or Going Astray	153	(4)
Who Broke the Glass?	157	(2)
Beware of Geographic Cures	159	(4)
Lunchtime Is Not Worktime	163	(2)
A King Remains a King	165	(2)
Self-Sacrifice Is Not Necessarily Noble	167	(2)
A Laugh a Day Keeps Misery Away	169	(2)
Cut Your Losses	171	(2)
Forgiveness Is Within Reach	173	(2)
Stress Can Be Beneficial	175	(2)
An Unlimited Supply	177	(2)
Setback or Opportunity?	179	(2)
Making Wise Decisions	181	(2)
Enjoy Your Food	183	(2)
Criticism: Constructive or Destructive?	185	(2)
Lack of Success Is Not Equivalent to Failure	187	(2)
Brief Is Better	189	(2)
Do You Look How You Feel or Feel How You Look?	191	(2)
Overwhelming? That Depends	193	(2)
Be in Touch With Your Feelings	195	(2)
Alone or Lonely?	197	(2)
Don't Be Afraid to Accept Help	199	(2)
Keep Your Eye on the White Line	201	(2)
Have Mercy on Fools	203	(2)
Power Can Be Seductive	205	(2)
Learning to Pray	207	(2)
Keep an Open Mind	209	(2)
Dust to Dust --- So What!	211	(2)
Putting Humpty Dumpty Together	213	(2)
Don't Extrapolate	215	(2)
You Are More Okay Than Not	217	(2)
Wisdom or Prophecy: Which Would You Choose?	219	(2)
Some Fears Are Good for You	221	(2)
Watch Out for Distorted Perceptions	223	(2)
Book the President's Room	225	(2)
Is It Fear of Success or of Failure?	227	(2)
It's a Mistake to Compound a Mistake	229	(2)
You're Never Too Old to Learn	231	(2)
Let Your Appreciation Be Complete	233	(2)
Epilogue	235