Sometimes it seems that time is flying. Perhaps it doesn’t need to feel this way. Our experience of time can be possibly changed. By understanding the psychological (心理学的) processes behind our different experiences of time, we might be able to slow down time a little.

One basic law of psychological time is that time seems to slow down when we’re exposed(接触) to new environments and experiences. The law is caused by the relationship between our experience of time and the amount of information our minds process. The more information our minds take in, the slower time seems to pass.

It follows, then, that we have different experiences of time in different situations. In some situations, our life is full of new experiences. Our minds process a lot of information and time seems to slow down. In other situations, we have fewer new experiences and the world around us becomes more and more familiar(熟悉的). We become insensitive to our experience, which means we process less information, and time seems to speed up.

How can we slow down time? Here are two suggestions.

Firstly, since we know that familiarity makes time pass faster, we can expose ourselves to as many new experiences as possible. We can give ourselves new challenges, meet new people, and expose our minds to new information, hobbies and skills. This will increase the amount of information our minds process and expand (增加) our experience of time.

Secondly, and perhaps most effectively, we can give our whole attention to an experience-to what we are seeing, feeling, tasting, smelling or hearing. This means living through our senses rather than through our thoughts. For example, on the way home, focus your attention outside of yourself, instead of thinking about the problems you have to deal with. Look at the sky, or at the buildings you pass, traveling among them. This open attitude to your experiences helps take in more information and also has a time-expanding effect.

To a certain degree, we can understand and control our experience of time passing. It’s possible for us to slow down time by expanding our experience of time.

A team is a group of people with a common goal. A school’s football team has two goals. One goal is to win. That is what the team wants to do. The other goal is to build character. Character is what a person values, how a person gets along with others. That is why schools have football teams. They want to help students build good values.

Each team member builds character. They learn to cooperate(合作). They learn to make good decisions. They work hard. They practice every day. They learn to follow the rules.

Each team member has a position. Each position is part of winning. No one player has the ability to win the game for the team. Only if the team works together does a team win. People often say, "There is no I in TEAM."

Whether the team wins or loses, at the end of the game they congratulate the other team. That is called sportsmanship. While they fight to win during the game, it is just a game. They cannot be angry with the other team. If they are, they'll hear from their coach.

__________ makes sure the team reaches the school's goal. The coach cares about the whole team. The coach gives each player advice. When the team wins, everyone celebrates. And the coach is glad. But after the season is over, the coach is still happy. The coach gets to see the players as they go to school every day. The character they have built is part of their success in school, too.

Some coaches say that if you go into a classroom at their school you'll be able to tell the players. It is not that they are bigger than the other students. It is the ones who are helping other students work. Teamwork is part of their lives.

One day, our English teacher Mr. Smith came into the classroom with a book in his hand. He started his lesson with a question, “Who can     15     what stress (压力) is like?” No one answered.

Then he raised the book and asked, “How heavy is the book?” We     16     to think and guess. One student stood up and said, “I think it is 100g.” Another student said, “It is 200g.” Our answers   were     17    . At last, Mr. Smith explained, “It doesn’t matter on the real weight. It depends on how long you hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it is OK. If I hold it for an hour, I will have a pain in my right arm. If I hold it for a     18    , you will have to call a doctor. It is the exact same weight, but the longer I hold it, the     19     it becomes. This book stands for stress. If you hold it without     20     it down, sooner or later, you will not be     21     to keep on. No matter how much stress you have, stop and have a rest for a while if possible. Boys and girls, you should learn to relax     22    . I am   sure you will live a happy school life.” We will never forget Mr. Smith and the meaningful (有意义的) lesson.