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!

Things adults should learn from kids

     Children can teach adults a lot. In other words, there are many things adults can learn from children. For example, kids tend to show love. Every action they do for parents, friends, pets, and people they like, is filled with love. They don’t think twice before loving, and they just love. So adults can learn this: the best way to receive love is to first give it. Unfortunately, most of us have developed the habit of questioning everything. We often try too hard with love, and associate it with weakness. Actually, the only way to experience love is to have minimal(极少的) expectations, and love your dear ones unconditionally.

     Kids never hide emotions. They cry when they hurt themselves, and express displeasure when things don’t go their way. On the contrary, we adults always try to hide our feelings, and never express ourselves sincerely. We often feel happy for others with negative thoughts in our hearts. Crying or expressing oneself is what normal people do. Never hold back tears or happiness. If you want to cry, cry your eyes out, and if you are happy or pleased about something, don’t be afraid to show or share it.

     Kids are curious little beings, who always try to understand their surroundings by completely involving themselves in every task they undertake. They have a huge appetite for knowledge, and ask lots of questions every day. This curious nature guides their life, and often leads them to simple yet brilliant discoveries. Are adults as curious as kids? Well, most of us aren’t. Also, they no longer have the thirst for knowledge, and don’t even ask questions if they don’t understand something. Adults often forget that it isn’t talent or skill but our curiosity and a huge appetite for knowledge that makes us worthy.

     Kids live in the present, and give 100% to any task they are doing. They never worry about the future, and since they are so busy enjoying their present, life is great today. However, with a job, money, and relationships, it does get hard for an adult to enjoy life. The best thing to do here is to change oneself, and if that isn’t possible, we can live like a child. Just don’t bother about the future, because it isn’t in your control. The only thing you can control is your present, so work hard toward it.

     As kids treat everyone equally, they make friends soon and also play a lot with them. Through playing, they make a lot of astonishing discoveries about their friends and surroundings. They also learn a lot about life, because they are out in the open and are playing with all their hearts. So how long has it been since you played outdoors for fun as an adult? Not some serious sporting event or activity, just kicking a ball, running in the park, or any other silly game! Playing doesn’t mean that you have to achieve a purpose. Sometimes, it is healthy to just have some fun.

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Have you ever gone   (1)   (travel) abroad?   (2)   (actual), it is interesting to visit another country,   (3)  can broaden our mind and make us have an unforgettable experience, but sometimes there   (4)   (be) some problems when we don’t know the language very well. It may be   (5)   (difficulty) to talk with the people there. We may not know how to use the telephone in the country which we are   (6)   (visit). We may not know how to buy the things we need. In a strange country we may not know where to eat   (7)   what to order in a restaurant. It is not easy   (8)   (decide) how much money to tip waiters or taxi drivers. When we are helpless, we may not know how to ask   (9)   help. After a short time, however, we learn what to do and what to say. We learn to enjoy   (10)   (live) in another country, and then we may be sorry to leave both the place and the people. It’s a pity, isn’t it?

W：Where are you going to spend your holiday this year, Bob?

M：We may go abroad ，__  (1)  __I'm not so sure.

W：What do you mean?

M：Well, my wife's talking about Egypt recently. She may want to go there. I'd like to go there，__  (2)  __.

W：Yes, it's an interesting country__  (3)  _(see)．

M: But we can't make up__  (4)  __minds yet. You know, a round­trip ticket to Egypt costs a lot.

W：But you may go by sea.

M：You're right. It's_  (5)  __(cheap), isn't it?

W：You may save at least half of the money if you go by ship.

M：But don't you think it would take__  (6)  _long time and…

W：But you can enjoy the scene of the sea and the__  (7)  __(rise) sun.

M：Yes, I'll tell my wife.

W：You'll definitely enjoy__  (8)  __， I'm sure.

M：Don't be so sure. We may not go__  (9)  __.

W：You always hesitate at everything.

M：It's not my fault, you know. My wife always worries too much.

W：Like what?

M：Well...Who is going to look after the house? Who is going to look after the garden? And who is going to look after the pets? We have these__  (10)  _(problem) every year. And in the end we stay at home and look after everything.

Festivals and celebrations of all kinds   (1)   (hold) everywhere since ancient times. Most ancient festivals would celebrate the end of cold weather,    (2)   (plant) in spring and harvest in autumn. At that time people would starve if food was difficult to find, especially during the cold winter months.

Today's festivals have many origins, some   (3)   ( religion) , some seasonal, and some for special people or events. Some festivals are held to honor the dead or to satisfy the ancestors, who might return either to help or to do harm. For example, the Japanese festival Obon is honored in   (4)   of their ancestors. People then should go to clean graves, light lamps and play music   (5)   they think that this will lead the ancestors back to earth. In Mexico, people celebrate the Day of the Dead in early November.   (6)  this important feast day, people eat food in   (7)   shape of skulls and cakes with "bones" on them. They offer food, flowers and gifts to the dead. The Western holiday Halloween also had   (8)   origin in old beliefs about the return of the spirits of dead people. It is now a children's festival,  (9)   they can dress up and go to their neighbors' homes to ask for sweets. The Dragon Boat Festival in China honors the famous ancient poet, Qu Yuan. India has a national festival on October 2 to honor Mohandas Gandhi, the leader who helped gain India's   (10)  （depend) from Britain.

Many people often lose their chance to live life to the fullest because of procrastination, which means that they always delay doing something that must be done at once. Moreover, because they often put off their plans till “tomorrow”, they are less likely to achieve their goals and will give up their dreams and goals finally. As a result, we can say that procrastination is the enemy of a progressive lifestyle.

Now that we know procrastination is something bad, why do some people not take immediate action? Well, there are some things that result in procrastination. Depending on someone else rather than doing by oneself is one of the things. Whenever you wait for something to happen before you act, you make it easier to delay your goals and dreams until “someday”. Another cause of procrastination is that people do not value each moment in their day. Actually, it’s surprising how much you can do if you just decide to do little things with the little time you have. Also those who often procrastinate can always find a good reason for something they refuse to do at once.If you are one of those who often delay, then it’s time for you to make a decision to act now because things happen only when we decide to act. Get down to doing something like losing weight, saving money or spending more time with family. Don’t let these things continue to be a desire for you to do “someday”, but make a decision to do it now.

Once you have made your decision, write down the plan and take action immediately. Making plans can help you think carefully about how you are going to do what you need to do. After understanding how to do what you want to do, get doing with the plan. It doesn’t matter how small the move you make is as the little things you do accumulate（累积）over time and move you to be closer to your goals. So, don’t wait until tomorrow; instead, start now! Just make use of every moment you have to do something that is helpful in realizing your dreams and goals.

Here is a challenge that will also move you to be closer to your dreams and goals if taken seriously. Make a list of ten things you have been putting off. It could be anything from getting a health examination, calling a friend or family member, to getting the car fixed and cleaning up the garbage, etc. And then try to develop the habit of doing them immediately!