【推荐2】Do you feel nervous when you try something new? When you are already good at something, do you find it hard to ______ yourself and become even better? These feelings are very common. We can explain them ______ a psychological(心理学的) idea: the “comfort zone(舒适区)”.

Many people like to stay in their comfort zones. It’s easy because you are ______ the situation. However, ______ you stay there too long, you will have little adventure(冒险) or excitement in your life.

I enjoy ______ speaking a lot, and have made plenty of speeches in all kinds of contests. For a long time I have felt that I was good enough and there was nothing I could do to improve. Yes, I was in my “comfort zone”. But recently, I took part in another speech contest. I saw a ______ interesting speech. The speaker started with a fun story. It caught ______ attention right away. Suddenly I saw a new ______ open for me. Afterward, I developed several different ways to start a speech. The new achievement gave me a taste of sweetness that I have long ______.

This experience has made me realize that we can get trapped(困住的) in our little comfortable “boxes” so easily. But if you get out, you can make big ______ and become happier!

Dad was not only my best friend, but also my compass (指南针). While he was alive, he guided me with his actions and advice. He taught me one important ______ —“Believe in yourself”.

If there was one phrase my dad ______ liked to hear, it was “I can’t.” He never got to finish high school and took two jobs to ______ his large family, but he never complained. Through education and years of hard work, my dad became an excellent journalist (记者).

When I was in high school, I had a ______ time with math. My math teacher tried to help me, but I was ______ poor in math. So my math teacher suggested I met with him at 7:00 each morning before school for extra help.

I told Dad, “That’s ______! I’m tired! I can’t do that!” He replied, “You’re doing it. I’ll send you to school.”

Every morning at 6:40, we’d leave the ______. Although working 12 hours every day, Dad never once ______ driving me to school.

After months of ______ , I was facing the final exam. I was so nervous. On the day of the final, my dad hugged me and said,“Luke, ______ yourself. You can do it.” His words made me realize I needed to trust in my ______ and the hours of work I’d put in. When I got my ______ proudly, the first person I called was my father. He cried, “Yes! You deserved it!”

Even now, whenever I ______ that a task is too much for me, I think back to that exam. No matter how ______ something is, if you’re willing to work, you can succeed. I’m forever ______ to Dad for that lesson.

Believe in yourself!

【推荐1】When I was about twelve years old. I had an enemy（敌人）, a girl who liked to tell me about my shortcomings（缺点）. She always _________ me that I was very short, and I wasn’t a good student, I talked too much, and so on. I tried to stand all of these as long as I could. Finally, I became very _________. I ran to my father with tears（眼泪）in my eyes.

He listened to me _________, and then asked, "Are the things that she said true or not? Jane, have you ever _________ what you're really like? Now you have that girl’s _________. Go and make a list of everything she said and find out if that are _________. Pay no attention to the things that are not true."

I did _________ he told me. To my great surprise, I found that about half of the things were true. Some of them I couldn’t _________, like being very short, but a good number of them I could. I wanted to change the bad things in me, and for the _________ time I knew something about myself in a very clear way.

I brought the list back to my father. He __________ to take it. "That’s only just for you," he said, "You know better than __________ else the truths about yourself, but sometimes others’ opinions are also important, so you have to learn how to __________, and not just close your ears in anger and feel hurt. When something __________ is said about you is true, you’ll find that it will be of help to you. Our world is full of people who think that they know you. Don’t shut your ears. Listen to all of them, __________ hear the truth and do what you think is the right thing to do."

I have remembered my father’s __________ at many important moments. I have never had a better piece of advice in my whole life.

【推荐2】How much time do you spend in front of a screen every day? If your answer is about one hour, then maybe you are one of the ________ teenagers in the world.

Scientists did a ________. They asked students aged 13 to 18 how long it ________ them to have fun on phones and computers. They also asked about ________ feelings of happiness. They found that those who spend more time on their smart phones are unhappier. “Spend no more than two hours a day on digital media(电子产品), ________ try to spend more time with friends and on exercise. These two activities bring greater happiness.” Jean Twenge, the scientist who led the study, said.

【推荐3】The pencil maker talked to the Pencil just before putting him into the box.

“There are _______ things you need to know before sending you out into the world.” he told the Pencil. “Always remember them, and you will become the best pencil you can be. First, you will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone’s _______. Then you will experience a painful sharpening (削尖) _______, but it will help you become a better pencil. Next, you will be able to correct any mistakes you might make. What’s more, the most important part of you will always be what is _______. Finally, on every piece of paper where you are used, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition is, you must continue to _______.”

The Pencil understood and _______ to remember them, “I will follow your advice.”

Actually, being a good person and becoming a good pencil are quite _______. Now, you are in the place of the pencil. Always remember the following words, and you will become the _______ person you can be. Firstly, you will be able to do many great things, but only if you make use of your talent and allow others to see your ability. And you will go through difficulties in life and they might be _______. But you’ll need them to become stronger. Then you will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.

Next, the most important part of you will always be your heart. At last, wherever you go, work hard. And no matter what the situation is, you must continue to do your ________. Believe it, each of you is a special person and your life could be really meaningful as long as you want to.