Relationships -- Romantic expectations -- The lack of glamour of domesticity -- The agitations of sex -- The weakness of strength -- Other people -- Unintended hurt -- In defense of teaching -- In defense of politeness -- On bureaucracy -- Work -- Capitalism -- Ambition -- Patience -- Colleagues -- The sources of calm -- Sight -- Sound -- Space -- Time -- Touch -- Conclusion: the quiet life.
Summary:
"Calm. Few life skills are as neglected, yet as important, as the ability to remain calm. Our very decisions and interactions are almost invariably the result of a loss of calm--and a descent into anxiety and agitation. Surprisingly, but very fortunately, our power to remain calm can be rehearsed and improved. We don't have to stay where we are now: our responses to everyday challenges can dramatically alter. We can educate ourselves in the art of keeping calm not through slow breathing or special teas but through thinking. This is a book that patiently unpacks the causes of our greatest stresses and gives us a succession of highly persuasive, beautiful, and sometimes dryly comic arguments with which to defend ourselves against panic and fury"--Back cover.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.