1 . Do you compare yourself to other people? Perhaps your best friend received something you really wanted for Christmas, or you’re not allowed to go to a concert but your brother or sister is. Even though comparisons are normal and can sometimes be helpful, focusing on your own progress is important for your happiness.

Why does focusing on me matter? “We prefer to compare ourselves to others who are doing better or not as well as ourselves,” says psychologist (心理学家) Nicola Abbott. “But comparing your achievements to your past self (where you started) and your future self (where you’d like to get to) can be more positive.” This can make you feel proud of what you’ve achieved and excited about what you might do. Child psychologist Laverne Antrobus agrees and says that focusing on your own goals is more worthwhile than always trying to come out on top.

Do comparisons make you unhappy? Comparing yourself to those around you is natural and we often do it without realizing. It can help us to find our achievements and to form friendships with new people who have similar interests. However, it’s important to be realistic and remember that nobody is perfect, especially online and on social media. Taking note of how the comparison is making you feel matters, too.

If you begin to feel quite low, Abbott suggests choosing a different role model or focusing on your own strengths and what you’re good at. Antrobus agrees. She says that asking yourself questions like “________”, “What do I feel proud of?” and “What improvements can I notice?” can help to improve your self-esteem (how positive you feel about yourself).

“Jealousy (妒忌) is an ordinary feeling,” says Antrobus, “but focusing on improving your own performance can help you feel just as successful. Besides, learning to celebrate your friend’s achievements can help not only to improve your friend’s feeling but can also help you feel good. “It will encourage you to build each other up.”

6 . People in Los Angeles love cars very much. The city is very big, and its public transportation (公共交通) is slow. So people drive everywhere. But now, a lot of people who like riding are trying to get people out of their cars but on bikes.

Devon says he has to be careful when he rides his bike on the streets. “A lot of people drive very fast, and it’s very difficult to be careful.” Although riding a bike to work can be dangerous, he likes to ride his bike to work. “It’s much better than driving a car. For example, I don’t have to think about where to park the car.”

Roger drives to work. “You always have to look at the both sides because someone would rush (冲) across by bike. Or you can easily get into an accident.”

If some people live and work near each other, they can ride to work together to make the bike ride relaxing. They call a “bike train”. Anna helps make the group—L. A. Bike Trains. “You’re in a big group. If you’re afraid of riding alone, you can now ride with other people.” Anna says that people would feel safer (更安全的) by riding together in a group.

Do you think weather is important in our life? There are many ways for us to know about the weather (天气).

We can surf the Internet (上网) to know the weather in 5 to 7 days or call at 121 for the weather by using the phone. Many people think it is a quick and easy way to use the phone. At home, we can also turn on the TV to watch the Weather Show. If you are driving, you can listen to the radio to get the weather report. When it’s cold, we need to wear warm clothes and scarves (围巾). When it’s raining (下雨), we need raincoats or umbrellas (雨伞) with us. When it’s hot, we need a cool place and want a cold drink.

8 . Do you know what a team needs most? If people on your team are not good at communication, you may often feel terrible. To create a successful team, good communication is the most necessary for both the team members and the leader. Here are some helpful suggestions.

10 . We usually go to see a doctor when we are ill. Doctors may give us some medicine, and the medicine often makes us feel better.

But sometimes the doctor’s medicine doesn’t work. This happened to one man, Thomas Smith. He was ill in hospital, but he wasn’t getting well. Then he found a new “doctor” inside himself. He saw funny films. He read funny books. And something wonderful happened. Laughing took away his pain after half a year. He could have a good night’s rest. His own happy feeling helped him get well again. He wrote his story in his book. He said laughing was very useful. It was the best “medicine”.

Another man, Simon Beck, was also ill, and he had a serious pain in his back. The doctor couldn’t stop it, so the man began to “picture” his pain. In his head he “drew” a picture of a dog. He imagined it to be a real dog. And it was hurting him. Then the man talked softly to the dog. He put his hand on the dog’s head and made friends with it. One year later, his pain went away!                 

These stories may surprise you, but more and more people are getting well in this way. So call on the “doctor” inside your mind, and keep happy and well!