My morning ritual begins with coffee (before my eyes are even open) and toggling between Good Morning America and The Today Show. Catching the top of the hour moments generally gives me enough info on what has happened in the world in the past 24 hours - the rest if fluff, mostly, but still good enough to watch while shaking cobwebs.
The comments volleyed from Lara Spencer to Robin Roberts annoy me, and I am always grateful to see Dan Harris sitting at the desk while one or the other is on assignment. His delivery and sometimes sardonic quips told me that they guy has a cheeky side. No puny jokes for him, he goes for humor that sometimes only he understands.
My suspicions were proven correct from page 1 of his first book 10% Happier. Harris asserts that, believe it or not, we can calm the voice in our heads - you know - the one that tells us we aren't good enough, that we can do better, that we must try harder or stop trying altogether, grab a bag of chips and binge watch The Bachelor.
No, this isn't a self help book. Rather, it is the story of Harris' own choices and missteps along the way to a successful career with such prominent shows as Nightline, Good Morning America, 20/20 and World News Tonight. After experiencing a meltdown on national TV, Harris began a self examination that led him to a technique and level of comfort that works for him. Better than 50% of the book takes us into the aggressive, competitive world of high end journalism. He speaks honestly of his relationship with Peter Jennings, his experimentation with drugs, as well as the struggle to maintain professionalism when interviewing pundits whose beliefs he saw a heaps of hooey.
This is inside baseball stuff for those of us who don't understand the sport. But this is not gossip. Harris fills his book with insights along with laughter; his balance of fun, frenzy, hard work and intellect anchor his life now - yes, pun intended.
Harris wanted to call the book The Voice in my Head is an Asshole but didn't think it becoming of an national news anchor.
Thanks for stopping by.
My books group has chosen Dewey for next month. Yes, that's right. The book about the cat. We'll see how that goes. I am a dog lover. I do not anticipate a conversion.
