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The Five Things We Cannot Change....: And the Happiness We Find by Embracing Them Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

David Richo (Author), Tom Pile (Narrator), Audible Studios (Publisher)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 562 ratings
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Why is it that despite our best efforts, many of us remain fundamentally unhappy and unfulfilled in our lives? In this provocative and inspiring audiobook, David Richo distills 30 years of experience as a therapist to explain the underlying roots of unhappiness - and the surprising secret to finding freedom and fulfillment. There are certain facts of life that we cannot change - the unavoidable "givens" of human existence: (1) everything changes and ends, (2) things do not always go according to plan, (3) life is not always fair, (4) pain is a part of life, and (5) people are not loving and loyal all the time.

Richo shows us that by dropping our deep-seated resistance to these givens, we can find liberation and discover the true richness that life has to offer. Blending Western psychology and Eastern spirituality, including practical exercises, Richo shows us how to open up to our lives - including to what is frightening, painful, or disappointing - and discover our greatest gifts.

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  1. Listening Length
    7 hours and 51 minutes
  2. Author
    David Richo
  3. Narrator
    Tom Pile
  4. Audible release date
    December 9, 2014
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Audible Studios
  7. ASIN
    B00QRHEFNI
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 7 hours and 51 minutes
Author David Richo
Narrator Tom Pile
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date December 09, 2014
Publisher Audible Studios
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B00QRHEFNI
Best Sellers Rank #141,316 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#528 in Medical Applied Psychology
#2,245 in Interpersonal Relations (Books)
#3,306 in Psychology (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
562 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book insightful and providing good information on living with peace. They appreciate the clear, concise language and common sense presentation. However, opinions differ on whether it's worth the money or repetitive and boring.

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59 customers mention "Insight"59 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and helpful for living with peace. They appreciate the good information and basic truths in life that most people take for granted. The overall message is important and worth discussing, with scholarly value.

"Very interesting and helpful with those challenging times in Life." Read more

"...Like so many other reviewers, I found the contents to be supremely insightful and helpful in coping with much of the unpleasantness we find in..." Read more

"...These books open the door to a bigger world of possibilities and options for an improved life... and they answer that primary first question, "Why..." Read more

"...It teaches you to accept it, grow from it, reflect on it. It's a really wonderful book. I will be reading Richo's others books as well...." Read more

10 customers mention "Language"7 positive3 negative

Customers find the book's language clear and easy to understand. They say it's concise and presented in common sense terms without condescension. Readers also mention that the resolutions are workable with ordinary language and doable steps.

"...In clear and concise terms, without ever talking down to you or treating you like it's a "For Dummies" book, the author explains the steps..." Read more

"...The author made it easy to understand and left you inspired." Read more

"...The book SOUNDS depressing, but it's really not. It really gives positive meanings to some of the really bad things that happen to us as humans...." Read more

"I love this book because it’s simple and to the point!!" Read more

7 customers mention "Value for money"4 positive3 negative

Customers have different views on the book's value. Some find it worthwhile, while others feel it's repetitive and boring, making it hard to finish.

"...This book is amazing from cover to cover. Worth every penny....and MORE! Enjoy!! =]" Read more

"...The benefits of life must exceed the burdens or life is not worth living...." Read more

"...I found it very valuable." Read more

"This book was such a gigantic waste of time. He lists the Five Things in the first few pages--that was enough right there...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Seplaire
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful
    Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Very interesting and helpful with those challenging times in Life.
    Helpful
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  • allison taylor
    5.0 out of 5 stars The REAL meat of psychological self-improvement
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I also own a battered, much-read paperback copy, full of handwritten margin notes and underlining. Like so many other reviewers, I found the contents to be supremely insightful and helpful in coping with much of the unpleasantness we find in life.

    The value in this book is not in just memorizing the list of Five Things we Cannot Change, it's in Richo's excellent writing about how we unconsciously set ourselves up for misery and frustration by not FULLY accepting the five things, and in how to adjust our expectations and responses to the Five Things. He tells us explicitly how a true understanding of the Five Things will reflect in our behavior within a romantic relationship, within a work environment, in the health arena.

    This book constituted most of my Christmas vacation reading, simply because I am facing some personal and academic challenges and want to approach them in the most adult, least self-defeating manner I can. Once again, I found myself nodding in agreement with much of Richo's thoughts in the book's first half. In the second half, my brow furrowed often as he launched into deeper and heavier interpretations of how we should act if we REALLY Embrace these Five Things. There's enough humor and empathy herein to make it a welcoming read, but it's not at all light reading.

    Anyone looking for an easy, "read it once and I'll be all FIXED" psychology or self-help book will not find it here. This is the gourmet equivalent to getting oneself out of the ruts/potholes of life. I'm still working on the changes he recommends, and I know it won't be an overnight change. But Richo makes so much sense that I'm willing to keep working and shifting my perspective and understanding, re-reading this volume over again. In doing so, I hope to fully understand (someday) the second half of this book and the spiritual and philosophical implications of which he writes. This is the one I recommend to self-aware friends who seem truly ready to make a personal breakthrough in their own terms.
    72 people found this helpful
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  • Arwythur
    5.0 out of 5 stars 3rd in a good set...
    Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    If you have read the works of the author Robert A. Johnson, "Owning your Shadow", "We", "She", "He", etc... then you will understand that these books by Rico are the natural extension of how to use that information to actually make real changes in your life. Look, just because these three books by David Rico have painfully obvious self help titles, don't judge them based on that. In clear and concise terms, without ever talking down to you or treating you like it's a "For Dummies" book, the author explains the steps necessary to basically let go of the childishness of our mis-spent youth and finally grow up. I included all 3 of the titles together, and I believe that "How to be an Adult", "HtbaA in a Relationship", and "The Five Things We Can Not Change ..." should be read together, so as to have the greatest understanding of what is expected at any one point in your personal Epiphany. It's extremely easy to lie, especially to ourselves. The Ego will grasp at any straw to save itself, and these 3 books basically state the obvious in such a way that only the die hard defeatest could screw up "growing up". Taking personal responsibility for you life's decisions starts by recognizing why you did this in the first place, and why you chose to continue the dysfunctional patterns. I understand that many in the field are recommending these. I suggest a set, the Johnson books, followed by the Rico.... in that order. This is how I offer them to my students who are seeking a better life for themselves. You can't fix someone else, they have to want to fix themselves. These books together give you the answers, and the means to let the dreggs go. These books open the door to a bigger world of possibilities and options for an improved life... and they answer that primary first question, "Why am I like this....". Arwythur
    20 people found this helpful
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  • BunBun
    4.0 out of 5 stars I wish I would have read it sooner!!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    My therapist recommended this book and I'm soo happy she did. It's a bit complex, so let me break it down for you.

    It can be difficult to read, in that it is very poetic, has a lot of quotes, etc. Sometimes you have to read a sentence over and over again to really understand it, but it's a great book and really makes you THINK. I have the tendency to dwell on things that I have no control over: my mother being diagnosed with breast cancer, my awful relationship with my brother, lack of good/supportive friends, having watched my aunt die from colon cancer, etc. This book teaches you that CHANGE is ALWAYS to be expected. Before this book I would fret over...the friendship between my best friend and I is no longer the same, WHY WHY WHY? Now it's...the friendship has officially ended for the better and that's fine because NOTHING lasts forever. Do yourself a favor and read this book! I wish I would've read it sooner, it would've saved me from so much stress and heartache. The book SOUNDS depressing, but it's really not. It really gives positive meanings to some of the really bad things that happen to us as humans. It teaches you to accept it, grow from it, reflect on it. It's a really wonderful book. I will be reading Richo's others books as well. The downside of this book is...it's a hard read! Sometimes while reading, I say to myself, GET TO THE POINT! It can be TOO poetic and deep, especially at a time where you just want to read and learn. You don't want to sit there and break down the meaning of all his fancy words. Like my therapist said...just read a few pages at a time. It has helped me tremendously.
    54 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Lorena
    5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read and helpfull
    Reviewed in Mexico on October 4, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Es un libro fácil de leer si tu primera lengua no es el inglés, me agrada la filosofía de vida que tiene el escritor y es aplicable a todo aquel que busca mejorar su estado emocional.
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  • Leah Kozak
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Book
    Reviewed in Canada on November 27, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Amazing book, i'v read alot of self-help/ well being books in my life and the life lessons and messages in this one definitely stuck with me.
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  • Amazon Kunde
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tolles Buch!!!
    Reviewed in Germany on March 11, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Sehr tolles Buch! In einem Tag ausgelesen!
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  • Placeholder
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in India on September 7, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent book to read and ponder
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  • M. Penfold
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 7, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I can't recommend this book enough, read it, it will enrich your life.I would like to give it six stars if Icould.
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