Nature is full of inspiration, and as such, it can easily serve as a reflection for writers. In nature, we might find metaphors for our own human experiences that we never considered before.

For example, in literature, rivers are often regarded as symbols of life and the passage of time. 【小题1】 Of course, its meeting with the ocean represents the end of life.

Over the last century, nature writing has also become a means of support for the environment by calling attention to environmental issues and trying to inspire a greater interest in nature. 【小题2】 You can use these tips to practice nature writing:

【小题3】 The first thing you need to do is to make sure that you always have a notebook and pen at hand to write down your ideas and observations, no matter where you are. Don’t assume that you can just write everything down when you get home.

Observe. When you’re spending time in nature, don’t worry about brainstorming the most poetic way to describe the falling leaves; you can always improve your writing later. 【小题4】 Let your thoughts flow freely onto the paper.

Make connections. Yes, nature writing means a lot of writing about nature, but that doesn’t mean your topics of discussion are limited to the sound of the wind and birds singing. If you find that certain memories or thoughts come up while you’re spending time in nature, write those down too. 【小题5】

A series of massive thunder storms hit our area recently, causing flash flooding and knocking down tree branches and even trees. I had spent the afternoon picking up branches out of my yard and throwing them away. Then just before I was getting ready to take my dogs for their last walk of the day, the warnings came on my television and over my phone that another of these storms was heading our way.

I quickly took my dogs outside. Huge clouds were rolling in while thunder boomed over the hills. I knew that the stars were shining but I certainly couldn’t see them. The darkness seemed darker and scarier than usual because I knew what was on the way. That was when I saw it. The tiniest blink of light, up high, at the far end of the grassland behind my house. I smiled. The first of the fireflies had appeared for the summer at just the time I needed to see his light. Soon a few others were blinking their lights as well. It amazed me how far their light traveled in the darkness of the night and how they didn’t seem bothered at all by the approaching storm. I spent an extra few minutes watching my lightening bug friends and taking in their message of light before heading in to get ready for the storm. As I did, though, I noticed that the darkness no longer seemed so scary and that my fear had been replaced with joy.

Life does have its share of storms, some caused by nature and some caused by us. We can’t go through life being scared of them, however. Take a lesson from the fireflies then. Let your light shine. It may seem tiny but you will be amazed at how far it can be seen and how easily it can drive the dark away.

Think of the last time you disagreed with another person. Maybe you argued with a sibling (兄弟，姊妹) over what to watch on TV. Or perhaps you tried to convince grown-ups that ice cream makes a better dinner than vegetables. How did your disagreement end? Were you able to see the issue from the other person’s viewpoint?

In many situations, disagreements are unavoidable. They’re part of life. After all, everyone has different opinions. We all have past experiences that shape how we see the world. Still, not all disagreements are bad. In fact, many people look at them as opportunities to learn. They do so by trying to understand where both sides are coming from.

How can you understand both sides of an issue? Often, it’s best to start by asking questions. Questions help us learn about the world around us. The right questions can also help us learn about other people. In a disagreement, asking for more information can help you learn about a person’s viewpoint. It can also lead you to gather more facts. This can paint a better picture of the entire issue.

When seeking to understand both sides of an issue, it’s important to know the difference between facts and opinions. Remember, facts are based on true information. Opinions can change from person to person. Paying attention to facts can stop biases (偏见) from taking over in a disagreement. This can help everyone involved see both sides of the issue.

Maybe you’re wondering why it’s important to understand both sides of an issue, anyway. After all, don’t most people just want to prove that their side is right? Often, that’s true. However, understanding the whole issue can lead to both sides working together.

Disagreements may be uncomfortable at first. However, when both sides truly try to understand each other, they often find they have more in common than they thought. The next time you disagree with other people, try asking them questions about their viewpoints. You never know what you might learn.