You're a Miracle (and a Pain in the Ass)

Embracing the Emotions, Habits, and Mystery That Make You You

By: Mike McHargue

Narrated by: Mike McHargue

"Holding brain science in one hand and rich emotional presence in the other, this book feels timely and necessary." (Shauna Niequist, New York Times best-selling author of Present Over Perfect)

Why is there such a gap between what you want to do and what you actually do? The host of Ask Science Mike explains why our desires and our real lives are so wildly different - and what you can do to close the gap.

For thousands of years, scientists, philosophers, and self-help gurus have wrestled with one of the basic conundrums of human life: Why do we do the things we do? Or, rather, why do we so often not do the things we want to do? As a podcast host whose voice goes out to millions each month, Mike McHargue gets countless emails from people seeking to understand their own misbehavior - why we binge on Netflix when we know taking a walk outside would be better for us, or why we argue politics on Facebook when our real friends live just down the street. Everyone wants to be a good person, but few of us, 20 years into the new millennium, have any idea how to do that.

In You're a Miracle (and a Pain in the Ass), McHargue addresses these issues. We like to think we're in control of our thoughts and decisions, he writes, but science has shown that a host of competing impulses, emotions, and environmental factors are at play in every action we undertake. Touching on his podcast listeners' most pressing questions, from relationships and ethics to stress and mental health, and sharing some of the biggest triumphs and hardships from his own life, McHargue shows us how some of our qualities that seem most frustrating - including "negative" emotions like sadness, anger, and anxiety - are actually key to helping humans survive and thrive. In doing so, he invites us on a path of self-understanding and, ultimately, self-acceptance.

You're a Miracle (and a Pain in the Ass) is a guided tour through the mystery of human consciousness, showing listeners how to live more at peace with themselves in a complex world.

Includes a PDF of images from the book.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 Mike McHargue (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Seldom do I find a book that puts together good psychology, readable science, and practical wisdom as what you now have in your hands! You're a Miracle will reveal that Mike McHargue is a bit of a miracle, too." (Richard Rohr, New York Times best-selling author of The Universal Christ)

"This book is full of incredibly important revelations that could change your life. Mike McHargue is not only the smartest person we know, but he has an uncanny ability for communicating complex matters like he's talking to you at a party (not one of those parties with loud music where you can’t really hear what people are saying so you just nod a lot, but instead one of those parties with light piano music, filled with smart and interesting people)." (Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal, New York Times best-selling authors of The Lost Causes of Bleak Creek)

"When Mike McHargue writes about the changes in his life from the beginning of the writing process until the end, I nearly cried with relief, because isn’t that how life is for all of us? It changes, sometimes over and over, and right in the middle of all the chaos, we keep showing up, telling the truth, writing the story of our lives even as we struggle to make sense of it ourselves. This book feels human, and that’s one of the highest compliments I can give." (Shauna Niequist, New York Times best-selling author of Present Over Perfect)

So perfect

This book couldn't have come out at a better time. It helped me more than you could imagine.

I am a miracle and a pain in the ass

I recommend to anyone who has been touched by the heartache of suicide, or attempts there of. I would recommend this as it is NOT a self help book! I would recommend to anyone who has or is dealing with the loss of faith, for those who don't feel included because they don't fit in the NORMAL box. Mike shares very raw and potentially triggering stories from his life, and he brought me to sobbing! Thank you for this, Mike.

Eye opening, heart opening, life changing

I've been a fan of science Mike for a few years now. This work encompasses exerting he knows with more heart and suffering them he has ever known before. The transformation Mike is talking about here is not behavioral modification, it is a deep transformation that encompasses heart and mind. Highly recommend it!

Fantastic

This is an incredible book by a great author. I really enjoyed his first book and I was very excited for the release of his new book. Mike really speaks from the heart and this book is full of insights. Not to mention his voice is great for audiobooks and does a great performance

VERY VERY VERY NICE BOOK!

Honestly this book is sooooo much better than I thought it'd be, definitely recommend for everyone, I think everybody will benefit from listening to these wonderful, comforting, eye opening, honest, kind, loving, down to earth, realistic and true words.. do yourself a favor and listen to it, it's really nice!

Know and Accept Yourself

Relative to who you are and what your ability is, maximizing your success relates to self-acceptance to grow personally as well as professionally.

A miracle book

this is a great audio book. the author is compassionate and scientific in his writing. it is good to hear. it helps me move along in acceptance of my bad habits and to begin to see myself as worthy of living. the world is a crazy place, and this book helps me live there!

I loved it

I loved it. It helped me shape a new understanding of a lot of things, specially the way we humans think and react. A good read. I recommend it.

A read like a warm blanket

I love Mike's work. This book is a fascinating exploration of Mike's life, what he learned during this time, and how this understanding applies beyond Mike to help us understand how our own minds and bodies work. The stories are filled with love and peace. I do not believe you will regret giving this book a read, Mike's a fantastic author. I look forward to his next project.

Heartfelt and Informative

I was searching for comfort in Audrey Assad music on YouTube and it lead me to an interview with Mark McHargue and this book- I guess I found what I was looking for! Heartfelt and informative, this book left me encouraged and feeling like I’m not alone in my feelings. I’ve actually started being more open and honest about how I ACTUALLY feel with my friends and family because of the book. Thank you Mark!