Literature is a term used to describe written as well as spoken material. Generally speaking, it is often used to describe anything from creative imagination, including works of poetry, drama and fiction.

   Then why read literature, since it is often imaginary and seems unconnected with real life?

   A lot of us read literature for pleasure and relaxation. It’s always pleasant to read some interesting books, such as comedies and novels, in our spare time. In a modern life full of pressure, it is our common desire to read some imaginary works and seek relaxation from the stress in life.

   Reading literature is more than fun; it also enables us to acquire knowledge. As a general rule, literature represents a language or a people, and it often gives us an insight(洞察)into the traditions, customs, beliefs, attitudes and values of the age in which it was written.

   Sometimes literature can even offer us new, creative ways to understand the world better. It helps us make sense of the world around us. It introduces us to new worlds of experiences. We enjoy the comedy and the tragedy of poems, stories and plays; and we may even grow through our literary journey with books. Eventually, we may discover meaning in literature by looking at what the author says and how he/she says it. In a sense, we explore the human condition and analyse how and why people think the way they think and feel the way they feel. Literature enables us to think analytically and open our minds. We see the world through the eyes of different cultures and in turn learn the ways to deal with things that happen around.

   So we can definitely say literature is of great importance to us. Why not get going with one poem, drama or fiction at once?

Are you feeling more of your true self when no one else is around than when someone else is around? Young children seem to get it right better than adults when it comes to being their true authentic self. They sing, laugh, dance and live with an abundance of energy and no worries of whether anyone else is watching them or what anyone else is thinking of them. However, adults are more on guard than children in social situations because conversations with others can lead them to feel mixed emotions with many shades of gray in between.

In social situations, since you have a desire to be accepted by other people, you care too much about what you say and wonder whether it is agreeable. In addition, you study the other person’s body language to assess the authenticity of the person and focus on how the conversation is making you feel at that particular moment.

There are certain types of people with a stronger personality, who tend to make others feel inferior by delivering more of an intense negative vibe. They simply can’t make others feel welcomed. Besides, some people who aren’t pleased with themselves sometimes have a way of characterizing other people in a negative light they themselves are hiding behind. Anyway, if someone that you’re talking to is miserable, then that can be contagious to you, making you miserable as well.

There are some key factors that affect the way other people can make you feel. These factors include whether they are positive or negative about things, whether they’re delivering a sense of fear or love to you, whether their personality is intensive or not, whether they want to make you feel inferior or accepted and whether you can protect your emotions from another person’s negative vibe.

You may not have the total control of how another person’s energy can make you feel at any given moment, but you can shield yourself by protecting your authenticity. If necessary, when you’re around certain people that you know can drain your energy, either physically or emotionally, put up an invisible protective shield around yourself to guard against other people’s negative input or vibe. Moreover, you have a choice of whether or not to accept the belief of what others think of you. Actually, what others think of you are simply their thoughts or feelings, but not facts. So it’s up to you to make the decision to dismiss it and don’t let it have any impact on you. More importantly, you’re perfect just the way you are!