【推荐1】We don’t think with a pen and paper. We “think” with Google. We don’t even have to complete the search question ourselves. Google’s auto-complete function takes that burden off our shoulders by telling us what we should be searching for and what we should be thinking. We then sort through selected results to find the answer to life, the universe, and everything. This process gives us the false impression of thinking—when, in reality, we’ve lost touch with one of the most basic of human experiences.

Thinking for yourself isn’t just about reducing external inputs. It’s about making thought an intentional practice and thinking about an issue before researching it. It’s about forgetting the habit of immediately looking to others for answers and instead becoming curious about our own thoughts.

Deep thinking requires time. It’s only by concentrating on the problem or question long enough that you’ll dive deeper and locate better insights. Most of us resist setting aside time for deep thinking because it doesn’t produce immediate obvious results. But ideas, as the filmmaker David Lynch puts it, are like fish: “If you want to catch little fish, you can stay in the shallow water. But if you want to catch the big fish, you’ve got to go deeper.”

After you’ve gone deeper on a question by thinking about it yourself, turn to reading what others have written about it. But don’t pause your own thinking. The goal of reading isn’t just to understand. It’s to treat what you read as a tool-a key to unlocking what’s inside of you. Some of the best ideas that come up when I’m reading a book aren’t from the book. An idea I read will often knock out a related thought in me that was previously hidden. The text will act as a mirror, helping me see myself and my thoughts more clearly.

Breakthroughs lie—not in absorbing all the wisdom outside of you-but in uncovering the wisdom within you.

【推荐2】Some architecture books worth reading

This list of books would serve as both essential reading and an excellent gift for those studying architecture or working in the field. These editions are filled with so many artistically impressive works that they're accessible to non-professional beauty and design lovers and even young readers.

World Architecture:A Cross-Cultural History

Richard Ingersoll

Paperback $125.95

This book is primarily a college-level text, yet its collection of more than 800 superb color pictures makes it appealing to anyone who appreciates interesting buildings. It also includes an instructor's CD of PowerPoint presentations.

·Exploring related societal issues

·Useful timelines and case analysis

Architecture:A Visual History

Jonathan Glancey

Hardcover $30

Want to explore architecture but lack experience in the field? Here's a great choice. This in formative but easy-to-understand book covers everything from ancient stupas(舍利塔)to contem porary skyscrapers. Its clean format together with more than 400 images also provides abundant in- formation that engages readers’ interest.

·Thirteen 3D artworks

·Structures around the globe

Seeking New York:The Stories Behind the Historic Architecture of Manhattan -One Building at a Time

Tom Miller

Paperback $22.5

This book allows readers to revisit Manhattan's splendid past through its incredible architec ture.Those who appreciate city planning,construction,or the Big Apple should never miss it.

Lots of specific information

Showing destroyed structures

The Story of Buildings :From the Pyramids to the Sydney Opera House and Beyond Patrick Dillon

Hardcover $19.99

This one can be used as a wonderful way to introduce architecture to children. The book has a unique format,with detailed drawings that take readers inside well-known buildings. At the beginning of each chapter, there's an overview of a certain historical stage.

·Featuring 16 famous buildings

·Plenty of double-page images

On the top of my list is The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. It is basically the book version of the world-famous film of the same title, and it’s a wonderful companion to life.

What could be more motivating than a book that teaches you how to achieve everything that you’ve ever wanted to achieve — whatever that may be — using the law of attraction? This is a book that says nothing is impossible and more importantly, makes you believe it.

The most inspirational books aren’t always self-help in nature. Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist is a must on every person’s shelf.

The story is of a young shepherd boy named Santiago who goes on an exciting adventure to reach his dreams. The book is full of philosophies and talks about the importance of understanding your personal legend.

Written by Gretchen Rubin, this is possibly one of the easiest and fun reads in the list. While it is indeed one of the most inspiring books I’ve come across recently, it is never preachy (说教的) as some books often become. Reading Rubin’s work is like reading the adventures of a good friend—funny, down-to-earth and inspiring.

Joel Osteen’s book is a wonderful source of good advice and motivational tips. His book is simple and would be a wonderful companion to just about anybody.

When it comes to the best motivational books, everyone has an opinion. These are the books that made it to my list and I’m sure that you have your own set, too. I hope that these can help you live a better life.

【推荐2】This prepaid postcard features a daytime image of Sydney’s iconic Opera House.

Prepaid postcards can be posted from any red post box located in Australia or at your local Australia Post retail outlet and can be sent worldwide or to domestic locations.

No stamp is required as the prepaid postcard includes postage, making it easier for you to stay in touch.

Australia’s most recognisable landmark, the Sydney Opera House, was formally opened by Queen Elizabeth II 50 years ago on 20 October 1973. Praised throughout the world, and recognised as a masterpiece of human creative genius, this extraordinary building was a winning design of Danish architect Jorn Utzon (1918 –2008) in an international design competition. It was named on the World Heritage List in 2007 as “a masterpiece of 20th century architecture”. The Sydney Opera House is also Australia’s number one tourist destination, welcoming more than 10.9 million visitors a year. It is also one of the world’s busiest performing arts centres, presenting more than 2,000 shows 363 days per year, for more than 1.5 million people.

Background information, technical details and gallery images on all our latest stamp issues are available on the Australia Post Collectables website.

Visit the articles section of the Australia Post Collectables website for additional content relating to stamp issues, including interviews with experts and designers.

To ensure you have the correct postage for sending your letter or card, please check our up-to-date postage rates.

【推荐3】Most of us have an unreasonable fear or habit. Famous folks often seem to go one step further.

Diane von Furstenberg

Fashion designer and icon Diane von Furstenberg (1946 - ) tapes a gold 20 -franc coin in her shoe for good luck before every runway show. Her father hid the coin in his shoe during World War II and gave it to her when she was a girl.

Lucille Ball

On the day that three-year-old Lucille Ball’s father died, a bird flew into her home and became trapped. Traumatized(受精神创伤)by the events, she developed a lifelong feeling of intense dislike of birds. The actor (1911 - 1989) even refused to stay in hotels that had pictures of birds on the walls.

Charles Dickens

Author Charles Dickens (1812 - 1870) carried a navigational compass with him at all times and always faced north when he slept. He believed it improved his creativity and writing.

Gustav Mahler

Composer Gustav Mahler (1860 - 1911) thought he could cheat death by not naming his ninth symphony by number. This was because several composers, including Beethoven and Schubert, had died after completing their ninth symphonies. So Mahler called his ninth The Song of the Earth—and it worked, in a sense. He lived long enough to write most of his tenth symphony, though he died before it was performed.

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