Robert and Peter study in the same university. They do everything together and help each other. But they often play jokes on each other. The school year was over last month and they decided to travel through the country in America. They drove a car and could stop wherever they were interested in and started whenever they wanted. Of course they enjoyed themselves. It was very hot one day and they were both hungry and thirsty. They stopped in front of a restaurant by the road. They came in, sat down at a table and ordered some dishes. Robert looked around and found there was a small bowl on the table. He thought there was some ice cream in it and took a spoonful of it and put it into his mouth. Immediately he knew it was mustard (芥末), but it was too late. Tears ran down his face, but he pretended nothing had happened. The other young man, seeing his friend crying, asked, “What are you crying about, Robert?”

“I’m thinking of my father who was hanged twenty years ago,” was a reply.

After a while Peter made the same mistake. Tears ran down his cheeks ,too. And his friend asked him why.

“I wonder why your father hadn’t been hanged before he got married!”

I received my autoimmune disease diagnosis (自身免疫疾病诊断) in 2009, and for the first few months, I was in a very bad place. I was suffering from severe anxiety and panic attacks on a daily basis. I was no longer able to function as a “normal” person. During that time, all I could do at best was to move about the house trying to do some easy housework, and prepare meals.

After a few months on the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol, my intense tiredness improved and I slowly regained some energy. That is when I tried to follow my doctor's advice to exercise.

I clearly remember my first attempt. I was still weak, but somehow, I thought that if I could push through and pretend I had a normal life that things would get better. So, I went out and started running in the little neighborhood park. Unfortunately, I didn't last even five minutes and came back home, totally crashed. It took me several days to recover. After that first brush with exercise, I understood that I would have to start slow.

I began going on daily walks with my husband around the block. Slowly, we went further and further, and my strength came back progressively.

After walking, I started to attend yoga classes. I remember barely making it through my first class. My muscles were weak and trembling (颤抖) by the time I rolled up my mat. But I was also so happy to be able to get out of the house, mix with other people and have a social life!

After yoga, I ventured into activities a little bit more strenuous (费力的), but still gentle on the joints. I was going to the swimming pool to do laps and riding my bike. Recently, after almost four years on the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol, I was finally able to start exercising regularly with a personal trainer.

Edward rose early on the New-year morning. He looked in every room and wished a Happy New Year to his family. Then he ran into the street to repeat that to those he might meet.

When he came back, his father gave him two bright, new silver dollars. His face lighted up as he took them. He had wished for a long time to buy some petty books that he had seen at the bookstore.

He left the house with a light heart, expecting to buy the books. As he ran down the street, he saw a poor family. “I wish you a happy New Year.” said Edward, as he was happily passing on. The man shook his head. “You are not from this country.” said Edward. The man again shook his head, for he could not understand or speak his language. But he pointed to his mouth, and to the children shaking with cold, as if (好像) to say, “These little ones have had nothing to eat for a long time.” Edward quickly understood that these poor people were in trouble. He took out his dollars, and gave one to the man, and the other to his wife. They were excited and said something in their language, which doubtless meant, “We thank you so much that we will remember you all the time.”

When Edward came home, his father asked what books he had bought. He hung his head a moment,but quickly looked up. “I have bought no books,” said he, “I gave my money to some poor people, who seemed to be very hungry then.” He went on, “I think I can wait for my books till next New Year.” “My dear boy,” said his father, “here are some books for you, more as a prize for your goodness of heart than as a New-Year gift.”

“I saw you give the money cheerfully to the poor German family. It was nice for a little boy to do so. Be always ready to help others and every year of your life will be to you a Happy New Year.”