How To Be Useful, Understanding ADHD, and the Racy Thrills of Joyride

Your weekly potpourri of wisdom bombs, recommendations, and updates.

Wisdom Bomb

Wisdom bombs = life hacks—usually stolen from people who are smarter than me.

Right now, a lot of people are justifiably asking: what do I do with all the rage, fear, and helplessness that I feel in the face of what's going on in the Middle East?

There's no easy answer, but I was recently talking to a great meditation teacher, Sharon Salzberg, and she made a suggestion that I really agree with. Here it is: do something useful and helpful in your own orbit.

It doesn’t have to be big and it doesn’t even have to be directly relevant to the current crisis. Give money to someone who has no home. Call a friend who is struggling. Hold the door open for a stranger. Being helpful is a great way to create a sense of agency and also to remind yourself of your own worth.

Research strongly suggests that compassion can also make you happier. You might ask: what right do I have to be happy when so many people are suffering? My answer: if you are unhappy, unbalanced, and dysregulated, is that the best mindstate from which to help out? How useful is it?

There's a great expression from Joseph Campbell: “Participate joyfully in the sorrows of the world.” It’s a paradox. One you can build a whole life around.

Fixations

I’m constantly falling in love with shit (meditation/dharma/happiness-related and otherwise). This is where I’ll endeavor to convert you to whatever benevolent cult I’ve recently joined.

1. Obsessed with these dudes.

2. Joy Ride, the movie. Raunchy and ridiculous but often hilarious and moving.

   

   Joy Ride, the movie.

3. I found this On Being episode interesting – and relevant to what’s happening in the world right now. The interviewee, Amanda Ripley, says humans need conflict, but that it has to be the right kind.

Pod News

A roundup of the latest episodes and other show-related news.

I cannot count the amount of times I’ve made dumb decisions because I haven’t been thinking clearly. This week on the pod we’ve got an ex-spy turned blogger who has spent many many years thinking about how to think clearly— and very specifically, what stops us from thinking clearly. His name is Shane Parrish. He runs a very popular site called Farnam Street, which sends out a highly subscribed newsletter, and he is also the host of The Knowledge Project Podcast. Now he’s got a new book, called Clear Thinking: Turning Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary Results. Listen to the episode here.

The other episode we dropped this week was on ADHD. What is it, really? How do you know if you have it? Or if someone you love (maybe your kid) has it? And what do you do about it?

I chatted with developmental pediatrician (and my new neighbor) Dr. Mark Bertin to answer all of these questions. And the good news is that on that last question—what do you do about it—the answers are useful for everyone, whether you have ADHD or not. Check it out.

One last thing. One of the many experiments we’ve been running on the show is called Deep Cuts. It’s a new feature where you, the listener, get to choose your favorite Ten Percent Happier episode from the archives. If you want to get involved, just give us a call and leave a voicemail that includes the episode you want to hear and, in a couple of sentences, why this episode hit home for you. Here is the number: +1 508-656-0540.

Upcoming Events

I’m experimenting with doing more live events, digital and IRL. Come join me, so I don’t feel like a loser nobody wants to see!

On November 19, I’ll be in Armenia, NY at Troutbeck doing a talk with Q&A and meditation. This event is for anyone - experienced meditator or just curious. Tickets are $30-$45 and available here via EventBrite.

On Friday, November 3rd, I’ll be at Mile Hi Church in Denver, leading an interactive presentation on “the next public health revolution” – meditation. If you can’t attend in person, there are tickets to livestream the event, too. Get your tickets here.

I’m also participating in this thing Sharon Salzberg is doing:

It’s a special 4-Week Mindfulness Evenings Program, designed by Sharon Salzberg and Peoplehood, to explore themes from Sharon’s latest book, Real Life; The Journey from Isolation to Openness and Freedom. I’ll be part of the capstone session.

Spots are limited. Click here for more info.

App

Want some guided meditations, teachings, daily features and community features to support your mindfulness journey? Check out the Ten Percent Happier app.