Another great read, actually incredible, rocked my life!   I remember Keith and I watching Charlie Rose one evening, and it caught my attention: Dan Harris discussing his book “10% Happier”. I love reading about being happy plus I remember him talking about meditation and mindfulness.

I decided to read the book, it excites me to tell you about it.  A bit about Dan, he is co-anchor of Nightline and the weekend editions of Good Morning America. He also does segments  for 20/20 and World News, and he reported to Peter Jennings. He had a very stressful job, traveling all over the world, Afghanistan and Tora Bora to name a few.   Dan got a taste of being in the public life constantly and always wanting more.  Due to the stress he turned to drugs, mainly cocaine and Ecstasy, and knew he was on the downhill.  Months later he suffered a panic attack while giving the news on Good Morning America.  His next move was to see a psychiatrist, and start anti-anxiety medication.  He was able to get off his drug binge, and stopped therapy. He  married a lovely woman, Bianca, who is a specialist in pulmonary and critical care medicine in Manhattan.   He interviewed Eckhart Tolle, Deepak Chopra, and the Dali Lama thinking maybe they would have the “right Answer” for his life.  He became interested in Dr. Mark Epstein, a NY Psychiatrist and Buddhist.  His wife bought him several books on Epstein and he was riveted. His world opened up after starting therapy with him.  He was introduced to Buddhism, and mindfulness, he also attended a week long silent retreat.

His lifeline and blessings from these top people were the words, meditation and mindfulness.  Here are some amazing concepts he learned and that I am learning now:

– Meditation can re-wire your brain.

– Meditation is the” new caffeine”, as stated in Wired Magazine.

– The present moment is all we have; “when you have one foot in the future and the other in the past, you piss on the present.”

In Buddhism, mindfulness and the acceptance of impermanence are critical concepts.  To accept Impermanence is to recognize that nothing lasts forever; therefore, non-attachment is vital. I had to work to grasp this, and I think I get it. We cling onto the past and the present whether it is someone you love or an event that happened. We have no control over the future, so why not just enjoy this moment and appreciate it and those you are with.

Accept that nothing lasts forever, enjoy now, you will never get it back. The people in our lives are blessings but they and we will not last forever. Our ego gives rein to our chaotic minds; these are just thoughts, see them for what they are. Our ego coughs up alot of garbage, let it go!  Mindfulness is having the ability to be aware of this moment, recognize what is going on and have no judgement. Buddhism says mindfulness is an alternative to living reactively; there is no need to react just recognize and let it go.

So, why the title “10% Happier”? Dan realized by practicing meditation and mindfulness, he was actually 10% more happy. Not a wild, dramatic claim, just a significant improvement in his life. He knows it helps him get through his days and knows he is doing the right thing for him.

I want to leave you with some insights of my own. I will never forget seeing a cognitive behavioral therapist not long ago because of my focusing issues and sensitivity. She looked at me in a very intense way and said, ” Go and meditate” and handed me a printout on meditation. She must have repeated that to me every time I saw her. I quit seeing her because I thought that was harsh and I could not do it. Now, I would love to say thank you to her!

Secondly, years ago when we were living in San Francisco, I attended an eight week seminar on mindfulness meditation. It was just okay for me, but, I never re-visited meditation. I am going to try it again! A year ago, I heard about headspace.com, I loved it and quit before Christmas, being too busy. That is when I needed it the most. Today, I am going back to meditate with Headspace. com.  I think it is meant for me, I encourage you to check out their website.  Namaste.