This is a spoken version of the article, The Puzzle, by author Chris Michel. The original article can be found here (https://explorers.com/2012/09/23/the-puzzle-by-christopher-michel-3/). Here is a brief excerpt: -- I’ve observed that poverty and happiness are not mutually exclusive. I’ve seen more dissatisfied 20 something’s in SoHo than their counterparts in rural Jodhpur. I know that there is real joy and meaning to be found outside the secular system of wealth, status and eternal youth. It’s not our fault; it’s our programming. But the answers can’t be found in accumulating more. You knew that already. Well, so did I, but I’m not sure I really believed it. I do now. Happiness is reality minus expectations. And Americans, in particular, have some pretty high expectations. You do the math. -- I record these articles because I'd like the ability to listen to them in audio format and deepen my own understanding.

This is a spoken version of the article, The Harder It Is, The More You Must Love It, by author Steve Pavlina.  The original article can be found here (http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2013/02/the-harder-it-is-the-more-you-must-love-it/). Here is a brief excerpt: -- Sometimes you have to make a couple hundred failed attempts to find an approach that works beautifully for you. Don’t give up just because you missed 20 times or so. You may be 10% of the way to a brilliant solution. -- I record these articles because I'd like the ability to listen to them in audio format and deepen my own understanding.

This is a spoken version of the article, 7 Powerful Yet Simple Metaphors that Will Change the Way You Think, by author Angel Chernoff.  The original article can be found here (https://www.marcandangel.com/2018/11/25/7-powerful-yet-simple-metaphors-that-will-change-the-way-you-think/). Here is a brief excerpt: -- If you think about it, we are all like elephants.  We all have incredible power inside us.  And we have our own chains and pegs—the self-limiting thoughts and beliefs that hold us back.  Sometimes it’s a childhood experience or an old failure.  Sometimes it’s something we were told when we were younger.  The key thing to realize is this: we need to learn from the past, but also to be willing to change our assumptions—our perspective—about the way things are now.  Life is not static.  You can break free. -- I record these articles because I'd like the ability to listen to them in audio format and deepen my own understanding.