This is not just a book for people with life-threatening illnesses. It's a book for
anyone afflicted with one of the primary diseases of our time: negative thinking.
I come before you a certified expert on the subject: I'm a confirmed negaholic. I
don't just see a glass that's half-full and call it half-empty; I see a glass that's
completely full and worry that someone's going to tip it over.
Negative thinking is always expensive-dragging us down mentally, emotionally, and
physically-hence, I refer to any indulgence in it as a luxury.When, however, we have
the symptoms of a life-threatening illness-be it AIDS, heart trouble, cancer, high
blood pressure or any of the others-negative thinking is a luxury we can no longer
afford.
I remember a bumper sticker from the 1960s-"Death is Natures's Way of Telling You
to Slow Down." Well, the signs of a life-threatening illness are nature's way of
telling us to-as we say in California-lighten up. Be easier on yourself. Think better
of yourself. Learn to forgive yourself and others.
This is a book about getting behind on your worrying. Way, way behind. The further
behind on your worrying you get, the further ahead you'll be.
My favorite quote on worry: "Worrying is a form of atheism." Second favorite: "Worrying
is the interest paid on a debt you may not owe."
This is not so much a book to be read as it is a book to be used. It doesn't have
to be read cover to cover. I like to think you can flip it open at any time to any
page and get something of value from it. This is especially true of the second-and
longest-section of the book.
This book has two sections: The Disease and The Cure.
The disease is not any specific illness, but what I believe to be a precursor of
all life-threatening illnesses-negative thinking.
The cure is not a wonder drug or a vaccination or the Magic Bullet. The cure is simple:
1) spend more time focusing on the positive things in your life (Accentuate the Positive);
2) spend less time thinking negatively (Eliminate the Negative); and 3) enjoy each
moment (Latch on to the Affirmative).
That's it. Simple, but far from easy.
It's the aim of this book to make the process simple and, if not easy, at least easier.
Please don't use anything in this book against yourself. Don't interpret anything
I say in The Dis-ease as blame. When I use the word responibility, for example, I
simply mean you have the ability to respond. (And you are responding or you wouldn't
be reading this book.)
And please don't take any of the suggestions in The Cure as "must's," "should's,"
or "have-to's." Think of them as joyful activity, creative play, curious exploration-not
as additional burdens in an already burdensome life.
This book is not designed to replace proper medical care. Please use this book in
conjunction with whatever course of treatment your doctor or health-care provider
prescribes.
You are far more powerful than you ever dreamed. As you discover and learn how to
use your power, use it only for your upliftment and the upliftment of others.
You are a marvelous, wonderful, worthwhile person-just because you are. That's the
point of view I'll be taking. Please join me for a while-an hour; a week, a lifetime-at
that viewing point.
