1. A link to the essay
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12092885

2. Author
Tim Stark

3. Title
Stress Yields a Sweeter Life

–4. One sentence of what the belief is

I believe that an atmosphere of stress and chaos — within reason — brings out my best qualities.

5. 2 examples from the story that showed their belief
Any right-minded consultant would have advised against the exhausting, under-capitalized and dysfunctional venture my garden expanded into. But the work brought rewards.

I believe in managed stress. It sweetens the tomatoes. I like to think it sweetens me, too.

6. 1 favorite passage

I don't know who suffered most early on, me or my tomatoes. The stress was tough on both of us: tomatoes ripening faster than I could pick them, tomatoes exploding beneath the ruthless sun.