Russell Simmons is a very successful and powerful American entrepreneur and author. He made a name for himself in the music business, and is often called the godfather of hip hop. Whenever people ask him what they should do to “become more successful” (a common question for him), he replies that they should “begin meditating”. This answer often surprises the person asking, and they write it off as a joke. But Simmons is being completely serious.

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I’ve read more than 80 books this year, guided by topics that have excited me and questions I’ve sought to answers. I’ve investment about 320 hours of time (3% of my year) and about a thousand dollars. In my view, this investment is completely worth it – each book I read is like a perspective on life’s greatest truths.

Below are the books which have had the greatest influence on my life this year, including links to my synopsis of the books. This way, you can get their list without having to make the same large investment of time and money.

I hope you enjoy.

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In the last hundred years, due mostly to industrialization, our perception of what food is has become severely skewed. Food has gone from a familiar or communal affair to big business, and the pursuit of profit that drives the modern food culture of food is literally killing us.

The multinational corporations, lobbying groups, and marketing teams know exactly how to spin the research and social narrative in order to make the masses consume more. Most of the ‘research’ is funded by groups with vested interests, and policies are often championed by ill-informed politicians.

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Trauma is the root cause of crime, poverty, mental health problems, drug abuse, and more. It is arguably the biggest single cause of grief in our society.

Trauma is also extremely common, and can start a vicious cycle of abuse. Intergenerational trauma is an especially important subject in Nunavut and other native American societies today.

Trauma is not experienced in the part of the brain where words are created; the experiences are stored in the body, as images, feelings, emotions. It often comes back in flashbacks, physical ailment, or any number of devious ways.

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We have 4 different types of energy: physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual. In order to be our best selves, it is important that we use these energies, and – equally important – replenish these energies.

A common characteristic of high achievers is their ability to be explosive in one energy, relax, recover, and do it again. The best way to do that is to train completely exertion and completely relaxation for each energy.

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Achieving your goals is a matter of attitude. If you say you can, or if you say you can’t, either way, you’re right. And science can prove it.

When you ask the question “can I do this?”, your brain makes a judgement call – yes, you can”, maybe, or no, you can’t. However,“can I do this?” is the wrong questions to ask – the phrasing allows you to say “no, I can’t” and stop thinking.

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Did you know that Arnold Schwarzenegger was a millionaire before he ever began acting?

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In its 100-year’ish history, the music industry has had many prominent players. Today, it remains one of the most interesting, competitive, and volatile industries in the world.

Ever since music became a physical commodity (vinyl records, tape, CD, mp3), there has always been gate-keepers controlling and profiting from its sale. 

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