3 . How to Appreciate Art

Unlocking the meaning behind a work of art is one of the many joys of viewing and collecting. But how do you appreciate art and actually interpret it?     1    .

Look at the art

    2    , but it’s more than quickly glancing at the art and drawing a conclusion. Before stepping back and taking the artwork in, take a moment to identify the artwork’s basic qualities：

Is it a painting or sculpture?

Is the texture (质感) rough or smooth?

Does it appear chaotic (混乱的) or organized?

All of these are elements the artist chose when designing the artwork, so they need to be considered.

Identify the art and artist

Knowing when or how the artwork was made reveals more information.

Take for example the famous Guernica (1937) by Pablo Picasso, knowing Picasso composed the painting in response to the bombing of the town of Guernica during the Second World War leads to understanding its anti-war ideas. Even if the historical context of an artwork is not apparent, knowing the year of its creation offers an idea as to the broader events taking place at the time.     3    .

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Use what you observed in the first two steps to think about meanings the artwork could have. Many artists have specific meanings behind their art, but also encourage viewers to come up with their own understandings. In this way, there is no “right” answer that must be reached to unlock the painting’s mysteries.

Discover your tastes

Just remember one important fact: You don’t have to look at everything. For instance, if you dislike abstract art, skip the abstract.     5    , so don’t be afraid to stop and observe something outside of your tastes.

The next time you are admiring a work of art, keep these techniques in mind, and its meaning may unfold before your eyes.

4 . How to Improve Your EQ

Emotional quotient (EQ) consists of self- awareness, self-control, self-motivation, empathy, and social skills. These help you manage your stress levels and communicate effectively with people.Here are some helpful tips to increase your EQ.

Pay attention to your body

    1    . Our emotions and bodies are not separate, and they affect each other deeply. You can raise your EQ by learning how to read physical cues that clue you into what emotions you're feeling. This essentially raises your self-awareness.

Learn to manage your emotions

Once you're able to recognize your own emotions, it's important to work on regulating and controlling them.     2    . Or take a pause in the middle of a conflict or argument to avoid any impulsive emotional reactions.

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Self-control is one of the five major components of EQ, and willpower is key to self-control. You can enhance willpower by resisting short-term temptation and satisfaction in order to focus on long-term goals.

Build your empathy

Empathy involves being able to recognize how other people are feeling and share in their emotions.     4    . Developing empathy is sure to increase your EQ and improve your relationships with others.

Put yourself out there socially

Get out of your comfort zone and make an effort to be more social, which can help you practice and improve your social skills. It can be scary to step outside your comfort zone, but increased social connection can have a positive impact on your life.     5    

Sichuanese is China’s most thrilling regional cuisine. Although it’s most famous for     1     (it) electrifying use of chilies (辣椒) and lip-tingling Sichuan Peppercorns (花椒), the heart of the local style of cooking     2     (lie) in the artful mixing of flavors.

Sichuanese     3     (cook) specialize in combining hot, numbing, sweet, sour, savory and nutty seasonings     4     (create) an astonishing variety of flavors. Some of these are     5     (incredible) hot, some dishes are mildly spicy and some are not hot at all.

While Sichuan pepper is     6     ancient Chinese spice, the chili is a relatively recent import from the Americas. It wasn’t widely cultivated in Sichuan     7     the 19th century but went on to become one of its most indispensable local seasonings.

In Sichuanese dialect, chilies     8     (know) as “sea pepper” (hai jiao) too, a reference to their foreign origins. Locals explain their preference for chilies comes from traditional Chinese medicine,     9     people are advised to eat plenty of “heating foods” to counter the damp of the local climate. People     10     (visit) Sichuan are often asked, “ni pa bu pa la” — “Are you afraid of Chili heat?”

8 . I was a lecturer for 10 years when I met my greatest teacher. It wasn’t in a _______ but in a hospital. She was my daughter Kelsey.

She was born with congenital cerebral palsy (先天性脑瘫). At four, she still _______ to tie her shoes. It was _______ for her. After three years of _______, Kelsey made it. Her accomplishment taught me that pace wasn’t going to be crucial — achieving goals according to her own _______ matters most.

At age 5, she won a battle against cancer. Kelsey _______ through creative play. In the hospital, the game was always “restaurant” with her playing waitress and the rest of us _______ as customers. She enjoyed herself in the _______ for several hours _______, as if we weren’t in the hospital at all. At home, the play turned to “hospital.” Her game included medical terms even we adults didn’t understand. We’d just play along as she ________ herself in her roles.

At six, she wished to take ballet lessons. I’m embarrassed to admit how much this ________ me. I wasn’t just afraid for her body, but for her ________.

I worried about the __________ she might get from the class. But she wouldn’t ________ and the expectation in her eyes ________ all the drawbacks, so we enrolled her in a ballet school.

Kelsey danced with ________! Did she fall? Of course. Was she awkward? Very. But she was completely ________ by her situation. The sheer joy of dancing was enough. After four years, she ________ to horse riding. This time, I signed her up without ________.

Now a seventh grader, Kelsey continues to embrace her life and teach us invaluable __________ about persistence and the power we could never have otherwise.

Kelsey, I’ll never have a greater teacher!