Pronunciation Challenge6 Reasons Why Intelligent People Find it Hard To Be Happy

Hi, everyone! Welcome to today’s pronunciation challenge. This’s your host, Estelle. Let’s start today’s episode with a question, are you happy? I know you’re thinking, why is Estelle asking such a stupid question? It is impossible to be happy on Mondays, I knew, I know. But seriously, are you happy about your life? It’s a tough question that is hard to answer in just a few words. But I would say, overall(adv.總的來說) I’m quite content with my life now. I have people I love, who love me around, and I have something to work hard for. And you? Are you happy? Or do you find it difficult to be happy? It’s okay if you do, life isn’t always going to be a bed of roses.

+ a bed of roses 稱心如意的境遇，安樂窩；溫床

But identifying the reasons why you are not happy may help you find a way to be happier. Today’s video might help you do just that. It’s titled “6 reasons why intelligent people find it hard to be happy.” But I believe the problems mentioned in this video could occur to anyone, not just so-called intelligent people. Go check out the video to learn more about the possible causes of unhappiness. But before that, let’s first take a look at our sentence of the day. “You may not realize it but this constant regret over past decisions is robbing you of happiness every day.”

1-1. constant [ˋkɑnstənt ] (adj.) 經常發生的；連續不斷的
* The boy's parents are worried about the constant fights he gets in at school.

1-2. constant 永恆不變的，穩定的
* Wine should be stored at a constant humidity([hjuˋmɪdətɪ]濕度) level.

1-3. constant (伴侶或朋友)忠實的；忠貞不渝的；始終如一的
* How fortunate([ˋfɔrtʃənɪt]幸運的) I am to have a constant friend like you.

2-1. regret [rɪˋgrɛt ] (n.) 懊悔，遺憾；惋惜；痛惜
* Try your best and leave no regrets.
* The factory manager expressed deep regret for the workers injured in this accident.

2-2. regret (v.) 感到懊悔，遺憾，痛惜，惋惜

* regret + Ving 對做過的事，或以往沒辦法做的事感到後悔、遺憾
* He strongly regrets his decision to leave his wife.
= He strongly regrets leaving his wife.

* regret + to V. 很抱歉要做某事。通常用來宣布壞消息
* We regret to inform you that you have not been accepted into our institute.

3-1. decision [dɪˋsɪʒən ] (n.) 決定；決策；選擇
* All contestants([kənˋtɛstənt]參賽者) are waiting for the judge's final decision.

3-2. decide [dɪˋsaɪd] (v.) 決定，決斷，確定
* I always have a hard time deciding what to eat for lunch.

4-1. rob [rɑb ] (v.) 搶劫，掠奪，盜取
* The criminals robbed the bank of 50 million dollars.

4-2. rob (v.) 剝奪，使喪失
* Many children in developing countries are robbed of their childhood and the opportunity to get an education by child labor caused by poverty([ˋpɑvɚtɪ]貧窮).
+ child labor 童工

* rob Peter to pay Paul = to borrow money from one person to pay back money you borrowed from someone else
拆東牆補西牆；借新債還舊債

西敏聖彼得協同教堂
The Collegiate[kəˋlidʒɪɪt] Church of Saint Peter at Westminster[ˋwɛstmɪnstɚ]

Saint Paul Cathedral

* If I were you, I wouldn't get another credit card to pay off some of your bills. You are just robbing Peter to pay Paul.

I couldn’t agree more. As not just regret something, you can’t turn back time and change it. It’s normal to feel sad and regretful, and it’s healthy to express your feelings. Maybe I’m too young and haven’t really been through any major difficulties or [[upheavals [ʌpˋhiv!] n.動盪；巨變]], but I think it’s also very important to forgive yourselves and move forward.
What do you think about today’s video? Are you happy? What makes you happy or unhappy? Please leave a comment to share with us. And of course, don’t forget to record your own challenge. Wish you all a great week. See you next time, bye!

Day 490
You may not realize it but this constant regret over past decisions is robbing you of happiness every day.