Self-image is a mental blueprint or picture of ourselves - our own conception of the sort of person we are. Self-image is built up from our own beliefs about ourselves, the beliefs formed from our past experiences, successes, failures, relationships, etc.

Once a belief about ourselves is programmed into our minds, we act upon it as if it were true. Our positive beliefs are developed when we do something successfully or are recognized by people around us. Our negative beliefs are also developed when we give in to negative ideas. When we fail in something, some of us conclude that we are unsuccessful, unwanted, condemned, etc.

Thus, self-image is the key element in determining whether our internal guidance system functions for success or for failure. It sets the limits of our accomplishments, It determines what we can and cannot do. Self-image creates your character and your personality as well.

You may think the concept of self-image being an internal guidance system was got from the thought of a trained psychologist. In reality, the idea came from Maxwell Maltz, a plastic surgeon who was more interested in helping people by giving them emotional facelifts, rather than just physical ones.

“Expand the self-image and you expand the ‘area of the possible’,” said Dr Maltz.

Maltz determined that the human brain and nervous system function as a kind of goal-seeking device similar to that used to guide airplanes on automatic pilot. Maltz’s idea is simple: each one of us is capable of taking control of our self-image and programming our automatic guidance system for success. According to Maltz, all behavior is defined by the self-image and no real behavioral change can take place unless the self-image is changed.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (心肺复苏术) is an important first aid skill to master and one that fewer and fewer people seem to take the time to learn these days. In fact, it only takes a few hours to get basic CPR training either in a classroom or online. Others may choose to get certified.

People pursue CPR certification for many reasons, in part because it can increase the chances of getting a job. CPR certification provides people a stronger sense of confidence in their skills. But certification is simply a card indicating that you have completed a CPR course. And it shouldn’t suggest that someone with basic CPR training but without certification is less qualified if faced with a potentially life-threatening situation. Therefore, it doesn’t matter whether you have a CPR card or not if someone has drowned or experienced cardiac arrest (心脏骤停). If you have been trained in CPR, with or without certification, you need to act.

Time is probably the main reason why people don’t obtain CPR training. But here’s the bottom line: CPR classes take only around two to three hours to complete, and many are conducted free of charge through organizations like the Red Cross. You can even take a free online CPR course if you can’t spare three hours in your week. Others shy away from things like mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. What many people fail to realize is that mouth-to-mouth is no longer a requirement for CPR and that chest compression (按压) is the focus of treatment until emergency medical services arrive.

By learning the facts about CPR training, you can make a choice about the options available to you. For more information, use the Red Cross CPR class locator and speak with an instructor near you. The best online training can be found through the National Safety Council’s first aid catalogue (目录).

Perhaps the following scene is familiar to you: You smell a certain fragrance on one of your friends or colleagues. 【小题1】However, upon applying said fragrance to your own skin, you are disappointed to find its scent is suddenly not so fabulous.

Although the concept of a fragrance smelling different on the skin of two different people may seem strange to some, it is actually something well known in the perfume industry.【小题2】

First, the word “perfume” is most commonly used to describe fragrances for the skin; however, it can also refer to other fragrant substances.【小题3】 Eating herbs and spices affects your natural smell, which in turn influences any additional scents you apply to your body. Also, people’s hormone(荷尔蒙) levels vary throughout their lives.【小题4】This also affects that individual’s natural smell and thus their perfume’s smell. Lastly, some people have a neutral’ skin type meaning their skin is neither very oily nor very dry. For such people, the scent of an applied perfume may seem largely unchanged. 【小题5】Naturally, this changes a perfume’s scent.

In summary, do not be surprised the next time a perfume’s scent changes when you wear it. Make sure to always try a perfume on your skin before purchasing it to learn how its scent will react to you.