Here are some articles I found online this week that are worth reading:

• We Call This Home: Reflections from Three Years of Backpacking Around The World – Walter Chang lived frugally for a year and endured a job he didn’t love to save for a year-long backpacking trip that ended up turning into a three year trip around the world. There were plenty of hardships and setbacks along the way, but it looks like he had the adventure of a lifetime. (via @Kottke)

And don’t miss the beautiful video he created: We Call This Home – 3 Years Around the World Travel.

• The Confession of Arian Foster – This ESPN The Magazine feature tells the story of NFL star running back Arian Foster and his openness about not believing in any supernatural power. It seems odd that this is a story, but he is considered the first American professional athlete, at least the first high profile one, who is openly skeptical about religion. Foster comes across as remarkably thoughtful, as one who is truly discontent with the unexamined life.

See also this excellent post by Foster from two years ago: 6 Things I’ll Try to Teach My Daughter.

• Inviting Mara to Tea – Psychologist and meditation teacher Tara Brach was featured on Tim Ferriss’s podcast recently. This post by Brach tells the story of how the Buddha welcomed and made peace with heartache and worry. Accept what comes with gentleness. Resistance is futile. 

• And this TED Talk about Google’s self-driving car project is remarkable: How a Driverless Car Sees the Road. (via @FarnamStreet) Twenty-five years from now driving your own car may be the exception, and you might need special permission to do it, kind of like a hunting license or a gun permit.