【推荐1】When I was a teenager, I knew nothing about mental health. If you talked about “safe spaces”, I’d think that you meant a bank. What’s more, I didn’t care about mental health. Why would I? As Dad used to say, “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it!”

But unfortunately my mental health did “break”. I was diagnosed (诊断) as seriously clinically anorexic (厌食的) at age 23. I had immediate treatment in hospital, which lasted two and a half years. People always wonder what helped me recover and the key was simple: comedy (喜剧).

I’m a professional stand-up comic. Comedy began as my hobby and has progressed into a job. The word “comedy” is believed to come from the Ancient Greek kōmos meaning “to reveal”, whose job is to reveal, explain and understand things. This was something I turned to when I was in recovery from anorexia. I’d never been able to explain what going on inside my head; trying to explain what’s going on in your mind is like trying to explain a color to someone who’s blind. So humour became a way of understanding things and then a way of explaining them.

Dr Dieter Declercq, Lecturer in Film at the University of Kent, believes “Humor can change our opinions on a difficult situation”. However, he adds carefully that “We should avoid judgments like All humour is good for you.” In his new book Satire, Comedy and Mental Health, he looks at how comedy can be used as a mental health method. Enjoyed with others, it is important for good mental health and recovery.

Stand-up comedy was important to my recovery. I know I’m not alone in that. So I want to pay that forward and show other people your mental health doesn’t have to be “broken” before you can “fix it”.

【推荐2】It was several years since Adolf Hitler came into power in Germany. And now his army was marching into some parts of Europe. He must be in the prime(顶峰) of his career.

One day Hitler went to an exhibition where the works of school children were on show. He seemed to have great interest in the exhibits—inventions as well as carvings, drawings. After having walked around the hall and examined everything, he said he was ready to meet the young artists. And soon a group of children came into the room to salute(向-----敬礼) him.

“Well, well. You did very good work.” nodded Hitler in satisfaction. “I promise on my honor I’d satisfy you with whatever you want. What’d you wish to be if I were your father?”

“A sailor sailing the sea” one of the boys answered.

“Good. I’ll have you join my navy and some day you will rule the oceans.”(海洋)

“Ask for anything? What’d you wish to be if I were your father?” he asked a second boy.

“A painter as great as Rembruant.”

“Good. You are to be sent to the Fine Art School and surely you will make an even greater painter.”

When Hitler caught sight of a sad-looking boy be frowned(皱眉), then quickly forced a smile, “There my boy, in spite of my point of view towards the Jews(犹太人), I’d do you a favor and your dream will come true. What’d you wish to be if I were your father?”

The boy looked straight at the man.

“An orphan(the child who has no parents).” he murmured.（嘟哝）

【推荐1】Carolyn Crump's work as a UPS delivery driver spans more than twenty-three years. And because of her long-standing career, she calls many of her customers friends and family. And the feeling is mutual（相互的）.

“Every single person can give you a story, where she has gone above and beyond, like bringing up groceries when someone's arm was broken. She's got a heart of gold. The day before we had to put our dog down, I found her in front of our gate saying her goodbyes to our dog. That's the type of person she is,” said Jason Lehtman.

Jason found out Carolyn had a leaking roof. And he knew he needed to do something to help the beloved UPS delivery driver!

Moved with compassion, Jason created a GoFundMe page to crowdfund for repairs to the thirty-year-old roof. The entire project came: together in less than two weeks and raised several thousand dollars within two days.

The community came together to raise the money for the repairs and to surprise her too. One customer called in about a fake package for Carolyn Crump to pick up.

Next, they blindfolded Carolyn and brought her to a park where the community of friends presented the UPS delivery driver with the check. After receiving her check, she also received a round of applause before hopping back into her truck to deliver the last twenty packages of the day.

“It's easy to have a positive attitude when you know how blessed you are to just have a job, especially during a pandemic. I love online shoppers. I should get a bumper sticker that says that on my car. They don't sign my check, but they definitely supply the materials for it,” she said.