Someone asked “What’s your “secret” to a happy life? What makes your life wonderful?” on a forum.

I don’t want to make you annoyed. In fact, I think I’ve got a higher level of life satisfaction than a lot of my friends. I can make sure there are four things that I think I do a little differently from a lot of people. 【小题1】

My wife is a good human, I work with good people, 【小题2】, etc... Looking at the basic, ordinary stuff around me and appreciating it really helps me feel like I’m a lucky person.

【小题3】If so, you usually just remember their negative ones.

I don’t think people realize how painful they feel until they’ve lost something. I don’t think how they want to express their love for those who have died until they’ve made a truly regretful mistake. However, it is too late.

【小题5】 It is not so important whether you are right or wrong. As long as you’re looking around your world with an open heart and an open mind, the pure intentions behind anything will shine through.

Figuring out what a company is like before you actually work there can be challenging. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to determine whether or not a company is a good fit for you.

First of all, know what you want. 【小题1】 So before you can determine whether you and a specific company would be compatible (兼容的) together, it’s important to understand what exactly you want from your employer. Many of us have an easier time identifying the things that we absolutely don’t want. That’s a good place to start.

【小题2】 Now comes the part when you put on your detective hat and do a little digging. The Internet will be your best friend when you’re trying to familiarize yourself with a company’s culture before ever walking through their office doors. And where exactly should you look for these culture clues? Start with the most obvious place first: the company’s website. 【小题3】 Do they use formal, direct language? Or is it conversational, and maybe even a little humorous? This can be a big indicator of what sort of culture the company is trying to create.

Finally, you can never fail with personal connections. 【小题4】 Ask if they would be willing to have a quick conversation with you about the organization in general. If you get a yes to your request for a chat, you’ll be armed with some pretty powerful and helpful information heading into your interview!

Keep these tips in mind to figure out whether you and a potential employer are a perfect match or just a recipe for disaster. 【小题5】

The Music of Language

We tend to think of music as a specific art form and the human voice as an instrument only when it is used for singing. 【小题1】 When we speak a language, we use that sound and rhythm, just as a singer would, to convey a message that is more than just words.

What brings this topic to mind is the popularity of the CCTV programme Readers, which has led to hundreds, if not thousands, of people lining up at small recording booths placed around Shanghai and a few other cities to recite bits from their favourite poems or novels. They’ve been inspired and encouraged to do this by watching celebrities from various fields reading aloud on the programme and, perhaps, they’re attracted by the possibility of gaining a little bit of fame if their “performance” is chosen for broadcast. 【小题2】

Writing can often seem flat and uninteresting when we read it on the printed page. But when we speak the words or hear them being spoken, the writing can come alive and reveal meanings and beauty we may not have been aware of. 【小题3】 A student of mine says she hates Shakespeare-there are too many strange words and she can’t understand what the plays are about. But Shakespeare didn’t write for readers; he wrote for audiences who watched and listened to actors speaking his words. Only in a theatre can you really appreciate Shakespeare.

【小题4】 We don’t have to tackle Shakespeare right away, but there are many videos of English poems online that English learners can download, listen to and then try to imitate. Who knows? With a little practice, you, too, could be on Readers.