Investing in yourself

    Figuring out how to invest your money can be a difficult task. This is something that you will want to learn how to do.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Things that will improve your knowledge, skills or health are all great investments. However, before you start, you need to be clear about what you will gain out of doing all of these things.

    You may think investing in yourself means investing in your education. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} . There are some other things you can do as well as buying a gym membership or learning a new skill.

    So what are some specific things you can do? {#blank#}3{#/blank#} . Reading books can really expand your mind and allow you to learn different skills and gain knowledge. I'm talking about the books where you will actually learn a new skill, not fiction books.

    You can also take courses and attend seminars. These programs are taught by people with a high level of knowledge or skill. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} . Only in this way can you avoid being fooled by some sales presentation.

    Moreover, investing in yourself is a safe way to keep your money. Although a savings account is seen as the most secure investment, that isn't 100% safe. Even if you never experience your bank closing down, the return is little when inflation(通货膨胀) is taken into consideration. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} . But over time, they will show up in terms of your happiness level as well as your level of success.

A. This is just one way.

B. The benefits will stay with you.

C. If you aren't a reader, you should start with that.

D. The more you do this, the more valuable you will be.

E. Of course, you need to do some research before investing.

F. The best way to invest your money is to invest it in yourself.

G. When you invest in yourself, you may not see gains right away.

     {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Why read an article in the newspaper, when the TV news can bring you the information in a few minutes and with pictures? Why read the life story of a famous man, when a short television program can tell you all that you want to know?

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Today, newspapers sell in very large numbers. And books of every kind are sold more than ever before. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Although some books with hard covers are expensive, many books are printed today as paper books (平装本), which are quite cheap. A paperback collection of short stories, for example, is always cheaper than an evening at the cinema or the theater, and you can keep a book for ever and read it many times. Additionally, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} No matter when you are on the subway or you are waiting at the airport, a book in hand is always a good choice.

     Books are a wonderful provider of knowledge and pleasure and some types of books should be in every home.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}. A good encyclopedia (百科全书), though expensive, is useful, too, because you can find information on any subject. Besides, you can have such books as history books, science textbook, cookbooks, and collections of stories and poems. Then from time to time you can take a book of poems off your shelves and read the thoughts and feelings of your favorite poets.

A. Television has not killed reading, however

B. A printed book is a good time killer

C. Every home should have a good dictionary

D. More and more people spend less time doing sports

E. Choosing a good book is just like choosing a friend

F. Books are still a cheap way to get information and enjoyment

G. With the popularity of televisions, some think fewer people will buy books and newspapers

    In a world surrounded by bad news, it may feel like an unhappy place sometimes.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    If you make even one person smile today, you can help make this world a better place. Here is list of ideas to help you.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}In this day and age where everything is sent via the Internet, it's a shock to receive a letter through the post. Putting pen to paper and writing a few words to a friend can be an easy way to make a positive impact.

    Requiring some time and research to find the perfect project, volunteering is one of the nicest things you can do. Whether you volunteer at your local youth group or take dogs from shelters for a walk, the simple fact that you are giving up your time to help someone else is incredible. There are so many opportunities.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Tell someone "I love you". It can be anyone. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Perhaps you can tell a friend that you appreciate all they are to you, or remind your mum that it's her birthday. Sometimes, in our busy lives we forget to take a moment to tell people what they mean to us.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Whether you're creative or not, taking time to make something for someone else shows how much you appreciate them. Even if you think you're not creative, the recipient will feel lucky to get such a unique gift that you put your precious time into. Some ideas could include a card, painting, drawing, song, poem or cake!

A. However, you can make a difference.

B. It's a surprise to send a handwritten letter.

C. And you don't even have to say "I love you".

D. So you are sure to find one that is right for you.

E. And it doesn't necessarily have to take up all your life.

F. Making something for a special person is always unique.

G. Even a postcard with a couple of sentences could really make someone's day.

Hollywood movies are regularly filled with sex and violence. They can be exciting films but sometimes all you want is a 1ittle 1ight-hearted entertainment.

Have you heard of Bollywood? All singing, all dancing and unrealistic, it is the perfect alternative to normal Hollywood movies. Bollywood is the Indian film industry, based in Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Yet Bollywood is the largest producer of films in the world. This year the Indian Filmgare Awards, Bollywood's Oscars, turn 50 years old.

The typical Bollywood movie usually has the following ingredients(组成成分): a cup of romance, a tea-spoon of comedy, a dash of international sight-seeing, served with a huge slice of singing and dancing. There will also be one brave hero, one beautiful heroine and one bad guy. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

Bollywood films are full of ideal things and free of daily worries. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} The actors change clothes and locations within a single song. But the ạudience don't mind. To Indian movie lovers, especially the poor, such films are a gateway to heaven and the stars are their gods. The films take them to a magical world away from their everyday troubles. The films tell them the impossible is possible and that true 1ove conquers all.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Behind the beautiful scenes, Bollywọod still emphasizes(重视) traditional family values. In most films, if two lovers want to break an arranged marriage, they can't just run away. They must win over their parents.

    Bollywood is a decent(正派的) refreshing replacement for those over-stimulating(评价过高的) Hollywood films. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}They will take you to a brighter, cheerier and more colorful world where it's still cool to dance around a tree and sing a love song.

A. Bollywood has gradually won its reputation(名声) on the world stage.

B. There is never any mention of politics, poverty or war.

C. Most Chinese school kids have probably never seen an Indian film.

D. Bollywood films are mostly comic romances with 1ight-hearted incidental(附带的) music.

E. Bollywood pays great attention to traditional values.

F. The result is a fun-filled musical.

G. So if you're tired of all that Hollywood actions, check out the following Bollywoọd films.

    People have always wanted to know what the future will look like. Then, how can we? {#blank#}1{#/blank#} The world has changed a lot in the last 150 years, but we humans are driven by the same basic needs as we were 150 years ago, such as food, sleep, the feeling of being appreciated and loved. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} No. In addition, generally speaking, the inventions for the last 150 years have been a human effort for freedom and communication, to be able to get in control of the time and world. Since there is still much to do in this area, this will be the focus at least for the next150 years.

    But why do we need to predict the future? Predicting the future is important for two reasons: First, we need to start to think about what kind of future we would like for ourselves and to pass on to the next generation. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    How about the virtual worlds? It might be in the future to experience the sand between your toes, and hear the waves, just lying in your bed at home. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} So, even if a great invention is there for an affordable price, it'll never take the place of the common experience if it is not real.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} What we'll see in the next 50 years is the transition (过渡) from an oil-dependent society to a new society. Here there'll be new medicine, continued exploration of space, challenges in the climate change, and new inventions that make life a little easier.

A. Will this change in the next 150 years?

B. So what will the future look like then?

D. Well, to understand the future, you must know the past.

E. However, you'll never get the feeling of being there.

F. However, no matter how real the experience will feel, it doesn't happen for real.

G. Then we need to know what decisions we need to make today that will give the best result in the future.

Recently, I carried out an investigation to discover what it was that prevented people from journalling. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} So, today, I want to introduce a very simple tool — The MicroMOVEment Wheel. It will help you pick up your journal even at times when you really don't feel like it.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#} She describes creating this method so she could use it as a creative planning tool for her writing projects and goals. While it was originally aimed at writers, you can use this technique to help you complete any project in a fun and creative way.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Here's how it works. Take a blank sheet of paper and draw a large circle, and then another smaller circle in the middle, In the center circle, write down what you are inspired to achieve. Remember, journaling does not need to feel like a chore in your day. So come up with descriptions for your journalling that are inspiring and energizing. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} These are what SARK refers to as the MicroMOVEments. Each MicroMOVEment is five minutes in length, So, in the case of journalling, that would represent a minimum of up to five minutes of journalling in one sitting, on any given day.

Let's say you're new to journalling. By setting aside five minutes out of your day, you could write one word in your notebook that sums up a feeling or an experience. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} The idea of the MicroMOVEment is to create easy steps to get your journal writing or writing projects moving. When you keep the steps small, it will become doable and achievable.

A. Next, divide the rest of the circle into eight equal parts.

B. It is the brainchild of international bestselling writer SARK.

C. There are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to journalling.

D. Where to start and not having enough time were amongst the top responses.

E. Daily tasks such as sweeping and washing are time-consuming and laborious.

F. Then, list any associated words, images or thoughts that are generated by the word.

G. The medicine with this approach is breaking your actions down into the tiniest steps.