【推荐1】Self-help is a broad term that refers to improving mental health or personal wellness without much professional help.     1     For instance, people can overcome procrastination (拖延) through it.

Although improvement methods can vary, they often begin with a person realizing that he has a problem. Once a problem is realized, it is important that the person not blame others but take responsibility by himself.     2    

When looking for solutions to his issue, a person will typically seek guidance from a book, a magazine, etc.     3     A student having a problem of procrastination may refer to a brochure from an academic counselor (顾问). Someone with a stress management problem may choose a book from a professional.

Many self-help materials offer personalized tips to help guide a person.     4     Generally, a person will be advised to follow guidelines and then monitor his progress in a written manner to keep the original problem in mind. And these approaches can often be beneficial.

    5     Self-help is generally aimed at people who can be objective and have enough self-awareness to honestly assess their problems. If a person doesn’t admit a problem or doesn’t have the determination to change, the method won’t be effective. Besides, people with serious mental or physical problems are not recommended for self-help treatment. They should seek professional guidance.

【推荐3】Getting out of my car one evening in late January, I met my neighbor Theresa, who had seen me drive in. “Mrs Taylor is in the hospital again,” she said. “I thought you’d like to know.” I had last seen Mrs Taylor a day or two before Christmas when I took her a little loaf of pumpkin bread, and she came from the back room in her wheel chair to talk with me. Mrs Taylor and I had been neighbors for 17 years. I remember the dog she and her husband used to have. They called him Beau. He greeted everyone who walked by, and Mr Taylor loved him.

Most of my conversations with Mrs Taylor had been incidental—visits by the mailbox, running into one another at the gas station where she helped me put air in my tire, quiet talks at the funeral home where we went to honor the memory of a mutual (相互的) friend.

When my husband and I moved here with our four noisy, laughing kids, it must have seemed as if the peaceful quiet of the neighborhood had been forever broken. But we showed our enthusiasm to the neighbors sincerely although. We had little in common with the mostly elderly folks on our street. Over the years they helped us love our children, picking them up when a bicycle overturned and sending the kids cards for their graduation. We have enjoyed the comfort of living beside people who help us if our tree falls on the fence and feed the cat when we’re away.

Mrs Taylor did not survive her latest set-back. Once again I walked into the funeral home to say good-bye to a neighbor. I remembered the barking dog, the chats by the mailbox, the friendly wave across the fence. I remembered, and I was sad, but I had no regrets. Now there is a new family moving into the Taylor place. I see children’s toys in the yard. It’s time to take a walk.

【推荐1】Selena Marie Gomez(born July 22, 1992) is an American actress and singer. Having appeared as a child in the children's television series Bamey & Friends. Gomez rose to fame as the leading role in the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place (2007-12). Due to the success of the series. Gomez worked on various films, television shows, and musical collaborations for the network in the following years. She signed a recording contract with Hollywood Records in 2008, and subsequently formed her band Selena Gomez the Scene the following year. The band released three studio albums by 2011.

Gomez hoped to focus on her acting career by transitioning into film work, earning starring roles in films such as Ramona and Beezus (2010) and the romantic comedy Monte Carlo(2011). Gomez hoped to achieve a more mature image with a role in the film Spring Breakers(2013), as well as with the release of her solo debut album Stars Dance(2013). The album debuted atop the Billboard 200 in the United States, and included the top ten single"Come Get It. Gomez embarked on her Stars Dance Tour (2013), though it was later canceled due to personal and medical struggle.

In 2014, Gomez fired her parents as her managers, and signed with the WME and Brillstein companies. During this time, she signed a new recording contract with Interscope Records, releasing a compilation album as her fifth and final release through Hollywood Records Gomez released her second studio album, Revival in October 2015. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, while the first three singles “Good for You” “Same Old Love” and Hands To Myself all topped the “Mainstream Top 40 chart” in the United States. She embarked on her worldwide Revival Tour in 2016.

Outside of entertainment, Gomez released her own clothing line through Kmart in 2010 and a self-titled fragrance in 2013. She has worked with various charitable organizations for years, and became a UNICEF ambassador at the age of 17.

【推荐1】Computers vs. Books

Mia Murphy was tired when she got home from school last Friday. It had been a long week. She was working on a computer project and has stayed late at school to finish her work. After stepping off the bus and trudging home, she settled herself onto the chair in the kitchen.

“What’s up, Mia?” Mr. Murphy asked, He was making Mia her favorite after-school cheese sandwich.

“This project is taking me forever!” Mia replied. “I have to design a website page for my computer class.”

“Wow, fancy!” Mrs Murphy shouted from the living room. “When we were in middle school, we didn’t even know how to use computers.” She walked into the kitchen and sat down next to Mia. She asked her daughter if she had anyone to help her with her project.

“We have partners—mine is named Ali,” she explained. “Today we learned how to insert pictures into our page.”

Mr. and Mrs. Murphy looked at each other and smiled. Mia noticed their little exchange.

“What?” She asked, wondering what they were thinking.

“Well, we first met when we were working on a project on American Indian history together in high school.” Mr. Murphy explained.

Mrs. Murphy chimed in. “But we didn’t have computers back then, so we have to go to the library every day to do research!” She explained that they didn’t have online search engines; they could only rely on books. They didn’t have cell phones to text each other when they needed help. They have to work together at each other’s houses.

“But that sounds so tough!” Mia said. “I can’t imagine completing a project without the help of a computer.”

Mr. Murphy chuckled. “I know. But I have that project to thank for meeting your mom! All those countless hours in the library. We have to spend much time together,” he said.

Now Mia was curious. She wondered what else was different when her parents were growing up. So she asked.

Mrs. Murphy stared to list off things she didn’t have as a child, like MP3 player and a flat-screen television. “Also, since I have many brothers and sisters, we have to pitch in more. I helped my mom cook dinner, and we repaired our torn clothes,” she said, tapping Mia on the nose. “How about you help me cook dinner tonight then?” Mrs. Murphy suggested, laughing.

“Sure!” Mia exclaimed. “How about something that you used to make as a child?”

“Chicken noodle soup it is,” Mrs. Murphy said with a smile.

【推荐3】It is very common for people to have very vivid memories of certain events.     1     , such as a graduation ceremony or the birth of a child. Or they may be things that they see or hear about in the news.     2    . Psychologists refer to them as flashbulb (闪光灯) memories.

As the name suggests, flashbulb memories are like “snapshots (快闪) ”of important moments that we take with our brains rather than a camera.     3    , either at the scene or on television. Take the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States as an example. Many people claim that they remember the disaster exactly even after 20 years.

According to psychologists, there are several factors that affect these types of memories. Among the most significant are the emotions a person may be feeling at the time, especially if it’s shocking.     4    . Receiving a very special and unexpected birthday gift, for instance, would have special significance for an individual but would be meaningless to others.

    5     As time passes, people’s version of events can change. This may result from a number of influences, such as their other life experiences or being exposed to media coverage of an event. So, keep in mind that those clear memories that you have of an event may not be entirely accurate.