【推荐1】Should you choose time over money, or money over time? This is one of those so-called dilemmas of happiness that isn’t really a dilemma at all, because the answer is so painfully obvious. Money, after all, is just an instrument for obtaining other things, including time-while time is all we’ve got. And to make matters worse, you can’t save it up.

And yet we do choose money over time, again and again, even when basic material well-being doesn’t demand it. Partly, no doubt, that’s because even well-off people fear future poverty. But it’s also because the time/money trade-off rarely presents itself in simple ways. Suppose you’re offered a better-paid job that requires a longer commute (more money in return for less time); but then again, that extra cash could lead to more or better time in future, in the form of nicer holidays, or a more secure retirement. Which choice prioritizes time, and which money? It’s hard to say.

Thankfully, a new study throws a little light on the matter. The researchers surveyed more than 4,000 Americans to determine whether they valued time or money more, and how happy they were. A clear majority preferred money-but those who valued time were happier. Older people, married people and parents were more likely to value time, which makes sense: older people have less time left, while those with spouses and kids probably either value time with them, or feel they steal all their time. Or both.

The crucial finding here is that it’s not having more time that makes you happier, but valuing it more. Economists continue to argue about whether money buys happiness-but few doubt that being comfortably off is more pleasant than struggling to make ends meet. This study makes a different point: it implies that even if you’re scraping by (勉强维持), and thus forced to focus on money, you’ll be happier if deep down you know it’s time that’s most important.

It also contains ironic (讽刺的) good news for those of us who feel basically secure, financially, but horribly pushed for time. If you strongly wish you had more time, as I do, who could accuse you of not valuing it? At least my eagerness for more time shows that my priorities are in order, and maybe that means I’ll enjoy any spare time I do get. We talk about scarce time like it’s a bad thing. But scarcity is what makes us treat things as precious, too.

【推荐2】If what we did were simply work to live, the reality of our everyday existence would be equivalent to that of stone age man. All of human achievement that makes modern life possible has happened because of the time that has been freed up from the work of everyday survival.

For most of the human species on earth man and woman have been occupied with the simple business of staying alive in as much relative comfort as possible.

Hunting and gathering, finding or building shelter, defending the little that one has from plunder(抢夺), surviving long enough to have offsprings of a mature enough age to contribute to the welfare of the group—this was initially the main business of living.

It has only been comparatively recently, since the agricultural and industrial revolutions that used emerging technologies to free human beings from the drudgery of day-to-day survival, that time has become available to do other than simply survive.

However, living to work is a luxury that we should not take for granted, for even now still most of the human race couldn’t be blessed with the pearl.

When we live to work we enjoy what we are doing, otherwise we wouldn’t be doing it. The term “live to work” implies choice. Working to live denotes the exact opposite: anything will do that pays the bills. Anyone in the latter situation will attest to the undesirability of being in such a position. Living to work suggests exhilaration in one’s calling; it summons images of freedom and excitement in the prospect of what each new day will bring, whereas working to live suggests little choice if any. “What do you want to do when you grow up?” is a question with which most children will be familiar, perhaps even bored. It is a question of what even a young adult can often not be sure of until they have had experiences of many different jobs, or at least the ones they thought to try. But to be forced to work at a task that one does not enjoy day after day for survival would be last choice on anyone’s list. Enlightened humanity, while acknowledging that some undesirable jobs must be done regardless, would acknowledge that if one was motivated in his work, the work would be so much better accomplished.

【推荐3】Compassion（同情）is a desire within us to help others. With effort, we can translate compassion into action. An experience last weekend showed me this is true. I work part-time in supermarket across from a building for the elderly. These old people are our main customers, and it’s not hard to lose patience over their slowness. But last Sunday, one aged gentleman appeared to teach me a valuable lesson. This untidy man walked up to my register（收款机）with a box of biscuits. He said he was out of cash, had just moved into his room, and had nothing in his cupboards. He asked if we could let him have the food on trust. He promised to repay me the next day.

I couldn’t help staring at him. I wondered what kind of person he had been ten or twenty years before, and what he would be like if fortune had gone his way. I had a hurt in my heart for this kind of human soul, all alone in the world. I told him that I was sorry, but store rules didn’t allow me to do so. I felt stupid and unkind saying this, but I valued my job.

Just then, another man, standing behind the first, spoke up. If anything, he looked more pitiable, “Charge it to me,” was all he said.

What I had been feeling was pity. Pity is soft and safe and easy. Compassion, on the other hand, is caring in action. I thanked the second man but told him that was not allowed either. Then I reached into my pocket and paid for the biscuits myself. I reached into my pocket because these two men had reached into my heart and taught me compassion.

【推荐1】I used to believe courtesy(礼貌) was a thing of the past. Very seldom have I encountered a courteous human being in this modern era of the so called Generation X.

Recently, I had to change my thinking, when I came face to face with just such a human being. I had gone to a happening coffee place, with two of my grown up daughters. The place was crowded with the usual loud crowd and we had to climb a sleep flight of stairs in order to find an empty table. After enjoying coffee and snacks, we were at the steep descent down the stairs, where the narrow space made climbing down only possible in a single file, with hardly any space for another person to either climb up or come down.

Just as I was in the middle of my descent, a gentleman entered the main entrance of the restaurant which right in front of the staircase. I was sure I would be pushed roughly by this man who will want to go up in a hurry. I kept coming down as fast as I could, holding on to the banister (栏杆), instead of my advanced years. My agile daughters were already down, looking up at me worriedly, hoping I would reach them before the stranger strange started up the stairs, knowing I was a nervous sort.

Nearly reaching them, I noticed the man still standing near the door. I reached my daughters and passed the stranger at the entrance door which he kept holding open. I looked back thinking he was still at the door, deciding whether to go in or find another less crowded place. I saw him going up the stairs, two at a time. I told my daughters about it and all three of us felt had that we did not even thank the courteous gentleman who was actually holding the door open for us ladies to pass through before going up.

【推荐2】ON TUESDAY, the Shenzhen team of Blue Sky Rescue, a domestic nonprofit civil rescue team, confirmed that two of its members had died trying to rescue 24 tourists who had got into difficulties.

According to the official news, it was on Monday that the rescue team received a telephone call from 24 travelers, who were trapped in a river valley, with a storm on the way and one of the female travelers being badly injured.

The team responded immediately. However, when they helped the travelers, two team members got trapped by the rising river water. The next day, they were confirmed dead.

The two heroes who gave their own lives to save others are being mourned by all.

Who can rescue the rescuers? The question aroused a heated discussion among people. Most of them think we would rather such “heroic deeds” were not required. However, that depends on people being more sensible. we would rather such “heroic deeds” were not required. In the past several years, there have been many cases in which travelers, ignoring the signs saying certain areas are dangerous and off-limits, still have kept on “exploring” unpaved and unmarked regions and ended up needing to be rescued. By so doing, they put not only their own lives at risk but also the lives of those who go to their aid.

In this case, although the travelers may have been in an authorized area, they ignored the warnings of an approaching typhoon. It was extremely reckless (鲁莽的) of them to travel into the wild on such a day, as the local weather forecast had warned people against the impending typhoon. Two rescuers have lost their lives because of the thoughtlessness of others.

Although the majority of travelers behave properly, some attempt challenging tasks that are obviously beyond their abilities.

The law has already made it clear that if a traveler or group gets into difficulties when entering unauthorized regions, they must bear the costs of the rescue operations. The regulations need strengthening to deter travelers from putting their own lives and the lives of others at risk.

【推荐3】Developing Interpersonal Relationships

One of the biggest keys to happiness is having strong interpersonal relationships. I believe that relationships are key to leading a fulfilling and contented life. Like anything worth having in life, they take some work to develop and maintain.

In the spirit of clarity, it’s good idea to take a quick look at the definition of interpersonal relationships.     1     This can extend from family to friends, to work associates, to neighbors, or clubs and on and on. It can be a relationship in any context or situation.

For instance, I’ve had strong short-lived relationships with people I’ve worked with on a project as well as one for 50 years with my brother. My two best friends and I live in different cities but, we get together several times a year and have a great time. I have a mentor I worked with over a decade ago I still stay in touch with because we get along so well.     2    

We will briefly touch on developing interpersonal relationships. Best way to approach it is to be a good partner or friend as the situation desires.     3     Do your part and help others as needed. Be a contributor who is also willing to help out when needed. As a friend, you simply follow the age-old piece of advice “to have a friend, you must first be a friend”.

    4     That want-to-help attitude will put you with like-minded individuals who you’ll probably hit it off with. The main thing to remember is great interpersonal relationships can get formed any lace or situation where you interact with other people.     5