1 . Earlier this year I was asked to design a sculpture for London’s first step-free trail (无障碍通道) with Whizz-Kidz, the UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users. It was an offer I couldn’t possibly refuse, considering the trail is a way to increase public awareness about the need for wheelchair users to be mobile and included in society, through the power of art. It was also something that seemed extra important to me, as art isn’t always something accessible to me as a disabled person.

I was born in a working-class family in 1969. We never had much money, so getting hobbies was difficult. But Mum and Dad always made sure that I had something to draw on. As a child, I often lost myself in drawing in our small house. However, a bad illness caused me to be paralyzed at 11, ending up in a wheelchair. Still, during these dark moments I learned to escape through art. Fortunately, I recovered enough to go to art college.

It was when a friend recommended an iPad to me in my thirties that my life as an artist totally changed. It changed the way I made art, as I could effectively create art digitally. The art poured out of me. Things moved so quickly that after just four months, my work on my personal experiences as a disabled person was shown in a group show in America.

And this led me to work with groups of disabled people, so I could use iPad to make art about the stories I was being told. I was not giving them a voice, but it was they who gave me a voice, so that I could make public art about disability. Eventually, I hoped art would change public policy. I hope thousands of disabled people will be able to take part and enjoy the wonderful art on show, and I know it is a celebration of them and their lives.

2 . In a world of constant noise, endless choices, and great complexity, the desire for simplicity has become a necessity. The book “Yes Means Yes, Everything Else Means No,” by Bruce Mullen, digs into the deep philosophy of simplicity in decision-making. The interesting title tells readers to grasp the art of clear choices. The book recommends us to put our energies into the definite “Yes” and avoid from weakening our efforts with the less important details.

Simplicity in decision-making stresses clearness and efficiency while making choices. In a world filled with information overload, using simplicity can lead to better results. When faced with complex decisions, individuals or organizations often struggle to deal with plenty of data, leading to imperfect choices.

By accepting simplicity, decision-makers aim to get the key information, focus on the most related factors, and avoid unnecessary details. This approach encourages us to pick out the main aims, enabling quicker evaluations and conclusions.

Through his personal experiences, Mullen felt the power of simplicity, leading him to make better decisions. This book can also be applied to business planning. Mullen’s exploration into the phrase “yes means yes” showed the importance of clear intention in negotiating life’s crossroads.

Basically, “Yes Means Yes, Everything Else Means No” is more than just an exploration of simplicity in theory; it’s a practical guide to improve decision-making skills. The author doesn’t only promote the philosophy but equips readers with the skills they need to carry it out effectively. From techniques to prioritize (优先) tasks to methods for removing distractions, the book offers practical tools for simplifying the decision-making process. For those seeking to live a life with a clear purpose, this book is a guiding light among the fog of indecision.

3 . Johannes Fritz, an Austrian biologist, needed to come up with a plan again if he was going to prevent his rare and beloved birds from going extinct.

To survive the European winter, the northern bald ibis needs to migrate south for the winter over the Alps. But shifting climate patterns have delayed when the birds begin to migrate and they are now reaching the mountains too late to make it over the peaks, locking them in an icy death trap. Determined to save them, he decided to teach the birds a new, safer migration route by guiding them himself in a tiny aircraft. He was confident that he could succeed in this daring, unconventional plan.

Some 400 years ago, the Europeans hunted these birds without stopping and devoured the last in the wild, causing the birds to disappear entirely from the wild. When Mr. Fritz was born 56 years ago, the northern bald ibis could be found in Europe only in captivity (圈养).

Mr.Fritz has spent his career reintroducing the birds into the wild. Through years of trial and error, he learned to fly like a bird. He modified (改装) a lightweight aircraft so it would fly at speeds slow enough for the birds to keep up. In 2004, he led the first flock from Austria to Italy, and has since led more migrations. But the route he originally taught the ibises does not work successfully. With climate change warming the area where the birds summer, they now start their migration at the end of October instead of the end of September. The trip is expected to take about six weeks, “Still, we’re optimistic that it’ll work,” said Mr. Fritz.

His family and colleagues witnessed the risks he was taking. “But the unavoidable risks are necessary,” Mr. Fritz said. “It’s not so much a job, but my life’s purpose.”

4 . In the shadows of everyday life, millions silently battle a tough disease — IBS. The unpredictability of gut health, endless bloating, and the fear of inconvenient toilet visits throw a cloud over every day.

In the United Kingdom alone, more than 6. 5 million people struggle with gut problems, with 43% of them experiencing toilet problems that bother their daily lives. IBS affects not just health but also family, work, relationships, and travel plans. It’s a condition that often goes unspoken, leaving sufferers lonely and ashamed.

But there’s a ray of hope now, and it’s called Gut Wealth. Users have reported significant improvements in gut health after adding the Gut Wealth into their everyday life. Gut Wealth offers more than relief and it allows the freedom to enjoy life without the stress of their condition.

So what is Gut Wealth and why do people have such great results after using it? Made in the UK, Gut Wealth is made up of seven key materials, including a “good bacteria” that reduces bloating and improves gut health. It also tastes good, doesn’t need a fridge, making it convenient for those on the go. The handy Gut Wealth is also low in sugar and suitable for a wide range of diet needs. What’s more, Gut Wealth is conveniently packaged and designed for best intake.

Gut Wealth is more than a health care product; it’s a hope for those battling the IBS. It’s changing lives and breaking the silence of the IBS patients. Trust your gut again with Gut Wealth, and rediscover the freedom to live life to the fullest, saying goodbye to the shame and loneliness of IBS.

I grew up in a small town in Mississippi, where everyone knew each other and family was everything. My big brother, Jake, and I had always been close. We shared the same hobbies, friends and dreams except that I wanted to go to college, travel the world and make a difference.

However, everything changed when our father passed away. He was the glue that held our family together and without him things fell apart. Jake took over the family business, and continued to run our father’s auto shop, which was struggling to survive in the competitive market. I tried to help Jake, but also wanted to achieve my own goals. I applied to several universities across the country, hoping to get a scholarship. I was thrilled when I got accepted to Stanford in California, one of the best universities in the nation.

But Jake was not happy for that. He felt abandoned by my decision. He criticized me for being self ish and ungrateful, turning my back on our family and roots. He said I was wasting my time and money on a fancy education that would not help me in the real world. He said I should stay at home and help him run the shop, as our father would have wanted.

I tried to reason with him that I loved him and our family. I said I would come back after graduation, or maybe even sooner if he needed me. And I was proud of him for taking care of the business. I promised we could still be close, even if I was miles apart.

He was angry and refused to accept my choice. He said he did not want to see me or talk to me ever again. He even mentioned I was no longer his brother, but his enemy.

Despite that, I packed up and left for Stanford.

7 . There is increasing evidence that sitting down too much can be a risk to our health.     1    

These studies have shown sitting for long periods can slow the metabolism (新陈代谢), which affects the body’s ability to control blood sugar, blood pressure and break down body fat.     2     Being overweight and obese, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancers are the most common ones.

Experts recommend breaking up long periods of sitting time with light activities, for example, walking, jogging, swimming and so on.     3     We are advised to exercise regularly at least 150 minutes a week, and reduce sitting time. However, there is currently not enough evidence to set a time limit on how much time we should sit each day.

However, some countries have made suggestions that children limit screen time, such as TV and video games, to 1 to 2 hours a day. This is to reduce the time spent sitting. For children and teenagers aged 5 to 18, reducing sitting time includes anything that involves moving in or around the home, classroom or community.     4    

*Agree a family limit to screen time per day.

*Make bedrooms a TV, electronic device, laptop and phone-free zone.

*Set “no screen time” rules to encourage other activities.

*Encourage participation in house chores, such as setting the table or taking the bins out.

*Choose gifts such as a scooter, skateboard, ball or kite to encourage active play.

    5     Researches seem to point to the fact that less sitting and more moving contribute to better health. We might start by simply standing rather than sitting when we have the chance.

8 . Knowing some greater value of social skills can be powerful in many ways to build connections and make wise decisions. So try to find out what kind of social type you may be.

Q1: When faced with a challenge, I tend to:

A) Accept it like a competitor.

B) Analyse (分析) it like a detective.

C) Look for advice from others.

Q2: In social situations, I often:

A) Control the conversation.

B) Listen carefully, collecting details.

C) Prefer to observe until my moment.

Q3: When presenting an idea, I focus on:

A) Attracting my audience with enthusiasm and energy.

B) Providing a neat and organized argument.

C) Dealing with possible problems with patience.

Q4: My approach to dealing with rejection (拒绝) is to:

A) Take it as a challenge to improve and determine to win!

B) Analyze what went wrong and try to fix and play again.

C) Feel upset for a short time but soon laugh again.

Results

●Mostly A’s: The Enthusiastic Pioneer

You are an enthusiastic pioneer, ready to compete and overcome any difficulty.

●Mostly B’s: The Thoughtful Expert

You’ve shown the personality of a thoughtful expert. Much like a detective analyzing all the clues, and your analytical approach is impressive.

●Mostly C’s: The Cooperative (合作型) Connector

Being a cooperative connector is valuable. Looking for advice and dealing with worries reflect your understanding and problem-solving skills. But to develop further, present your ideas more confidently.