Book of the Week: The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*CK by Mark Manson

It has a profane word in the title, but Mark Manson's "The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck" is truly enlightening and opens up your mind things you never would have given thoughts about. When you need to turn your brain off - and yes everyone does need to do so from time to time - this book is a must read!

Mark brings a lot of his personal life into the book, telling about how at the age of 13 he was expelled from school for sneaking in marijuana, by creating a small, hidden compartment in his bag, and having the book thrown at him. It was at that point that his life began to unravel, leading to his parents getting a divorce.

But through all this, Mark brings up some extremely poignant thoughts throughout the book.

First thing that struck me was not even 10 pages into the book - on page nine - and Mark quotes British philosopher Alan Watts' "Backward's Law" when defining happiness.

The "Backward's Law" is essentially saying the more you're wishing for something - more money, a promotion at work, a better life - the less happy you are you. Conversely, once you accept where you currently are in life and all the opportunities you have had to this point, you start to become happier. You are living in the moment, the now, or the "Perfect Present."

Chapter three and four basically explains Tom Brady's career. The third chapter is dedicated to the concept that not everyone is extraordinary. What makes people being truly great at something is their acknowledgement that they are mediocre an could be SO much better! One of the biggest things that defined Brady's Hall of Fame NFL career is he continued to see himself as that sixth round, 199th pick that nobody wanted. It's what drives him everyday.

Tom Brady: "It's not really a chip on my shoulder, it's that feeling that maybe nobody wants ya. When I watch myself play at times, I still don't think I'm very good. 'Man you're still not very fast.' 'You know you got a decent arm.' 'You know you made some pretty bad reads on that day.' That's what gets me up and motivates me. I always want to feel that I'm the best quarterback for this team. I want to earn it every single day!" 

Chapter four is about suffering. While we all think it's best to avoid suffering and unpleasant experiences, Mark Manson explains that it is necessary to experience. Once again it exemplifies Brady.

Other than being one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history, what is one thing that Brady has been known for throughout his long NFL career? It's his game-winning drives, driving his team down the field late in the game to pull out the victory, or pulling his team out of a 25-point hole in the second half.

That was Brady's ENTIRE football career! From his days as a Wolverine to his days in New England, he was constantly being asked to bring his his team back, and not only did he thrive, but he seemed to embrace the struggle and the challenge.