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:

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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.

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I record these articles because I'd like the ability to listen to them in audio format and deepen my own understanding.