How do you stay true to yourself when you’re surrounded by friends and families that have an opinion on everything you do? It’s not easy! 【小题1】 Here are four tips which can help you live a dynamic（充满活力的）life.

【小题2】

Stay true to yourself by listening to the only opinions that really matter-your own and those from people who believe in and encourage you. Deep down you know yourself better than anybody else.

Don’t fear.

【小题3】 The reason why most people don’t take risks, or live on the edge is the fear of what others might think of them. If you want to live the life you truly deserve, you must give up the need to be liked by everybody.

Value yourself and your choices.

When you do, others will too. Own the choices you make in your life. 【小题4】 When you believe in yourself, others will believe in you too. Show confidence in your choices, and what you stand for whether others agree or not.

Focus on appreciation.

No matter what the circumstances（环境）are, there is always something to be grateful for. All successful people ask, “What am I grateful for? How can I improve my situation and use these tough times to inspire others?” 【小题5】

These steps, if applied, will help you transform（使改变）your peace of mind, lifestyle, and productivity.

How to Create a Mind Map

Most of us think visually but write textually. 【小题1】It also makes the information we list more difficult to process，remember，and share.

【小题2】It combines the brain's visual nature with our tendency to write down words. We end up with a diagram that combines logic and order in a less structured manner. This promotes clearer thinking and better comprehension. 【小题3】

So，how do you create a mind map？The most basic method is to just use a pen and paper，or a marker and whiteboard. It begins with a central topic or idea，then flows outward. 【小题4】 The next level of topics is represented by branches extending from it.

There aren't really any rules for creating mind maps. While most flow outwardly from the central topic，some users prefer to build mind maps in one direction. 【小题5】This can make groups of ideas easier to identify（识别）and remember. It also makes a mind map more enjoyable to create and use.

Mind maps are extremely effective for taking notes, planning a project, brainstorming an idea, presenting information to others, and many other uses. Take out your pen and have a try.

Yours,

Li Hua

   As we all know, books are very important to us. They can provide us with many useful things. 【小题1】 However, how can you become a good reader? Do you know what effective ways to read are? I suggest you should follow these tips.

【小题2】 Libraries are wonderful places to find a variety of books. What’s more, you can fix your attention on the book in this quiet, comfortable place because you won’t be disturbed. You can also relax yourself in this comfortable place.

Pick out reading materials that most interest you. Finding materials that interest you is the first important step in improving your reading. 【小题3】 If you have trouble understanding what the author’s trying to say, you may not enjoy the book. If you are interested in a book, you will enjoy reading it again and again.

Know what your purpose is. If you want to learn the language, you should learn the sentence structures, the useful words and expressions that you may need to use later. 【小题4】 The more words you are exposed to, the more your vocabulary will grow. This will help you write a good composition. 【小题5】

   With an improved economy，many travelers have been buying first or business class seats，leaving fewer for upgrades（升级）.Here are some strategies for getting a free upgrade.

1. Fly a lot.

This is the most common way to earn a free upgrade. Most airlines reserve some spaces for travelers who fly at least 5，000 miles per year. Five years ago，this meant half or more of domestic（国内的）first class travelers sat up front for free. But now，airlines are selling more high-price seats，so on popular routes it is not unusual for more than 20 travelers to compete for one or two upgrades. But on routes with fewer business class travelers，free upgrades remain more plentiful.

2. Use miles.

If you're not a frequent traveler but still have some miles to fly，you may be able to use them for an upgrade. Be careful，though，as many airlines now ask not just for miles but also a cash co-pay. One example: on flights to Europe，American Airlines charges 5，000 miles，plus $110，for a one-way upgrade from discounted economy class to business class. For most domestic upgrades，American Airlines wants 15，000 miles plus $ 75.

3. Get lucky.

Sometimes airlines overbook coach（经济舱），and a few travelers get no seats. Agents try to ensure the airline's most loyal travelers get the nod（被选中）. Agents usually have some flexibility to make sure the plane is full and takes off on time. So it's the easiest way for them to do it-they might upgrade someone else out of order.

4. Save a life.

Flight attendants don't usually upgrade passengers, even when empty seats remain. Doctors and nurses who answer an emergency call are sometimes an exception. If they comfort a passenger, flight attendants might allow them to sit in business or first class for the rest of the flight.