My challenge for you is this: to read a book for 15 minutes every single day for a month.
Let me explain a bit, by telling you where the challenge came from. I have many things in common with my dad, like music taste and sense of humor, but sadly reading isn't one of them. I can happily spend a whole day with a book, but my dad can't read a book for longer than about 5 minutes. He reads emails, websites and papers for work, but not books. He's busy, so I think sitting down to read for just 15 minutes a day is a good way to relax and to introduce him to reading.
My dad is not the only person who avoids books. I know lots of people would rather relax on their computers or in front of the TV. Everyone is different and has their own interests, but I think there are lots of benefits to reading, which screen-based activities don't have.
Firstly, it's better for your eyes. Looking at screens can be very stressful for your eye muscles, and clearly you should avoid looking at screens for an hour before bed, to get a good night's sleep.
One thing I personally love reading, is being transported to another world—I would often forget the time or things around me! Reading is a great way to switch off before you go to bed, because you think more about the world of the book, rather than the real world, so you can truly relax. I know you can be transported to a different world in a film or a TV show, but I think books do it better.
I also enjoy hearing what people are doing and finding out what they think. Reading gives me the chance to get to know hundreds of new people! It also teaches you to see things from other people's point of view, and understand other people's decisions or opinions. With a book, you can hear everything a character is thinking or feeling—you really can be inside someone else's head!
So give it a go! Take 15 minutes when you are waking up, going to bed, eating lunch, or having a coffee. If you read a lot, why not try 15 minutes of an English book, or pass the challenge on to someone else? Good luck, and happy reading!
How to Make a Difference to the World
Many people believe that they don't have what it takes to make a difference to the world. They believe only people like Mother Teresa, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein and Bill Gates are able to do so. The following is a guide as to how small people like us can make a difference to the world.
1 It need not be an enormous task.
In this case, you already have what it takes to make the world a better place. Making a difference to the world may seem like an enormous task, but it is in fact the collective effort of everyone to make small contributions. The size of the contribution is not what matters most. The key here is to have the heart to do it.
2 Start now.
There is no one best time to start to make a difference to the world. You don't need to wait till you have the time to share some love; you don't have to wait till you earn more money to share a piece of bread. Little efforts count.
3
As the saying goes, "Give a man a fish; you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish，and you feed him for a lifetime." The good that we seek to do will make more of a difference when there is a longlasting effect rather than a temporary effect. And when more people receive education, they will in turn provide more value to the world.
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A. For example，building a school will benefit many people for years to come. B. Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something. C. Seek to make a longlasting effect. D. You can start making small contributions today. E. If you can't feed a hundred people，then feed just one. F. The truth is，every one of us can make it in our own unique way. G. Stop complaining and do something. |
