We don’t like many things—about ourselves, others, and the community.
We may not like our appearance, clothing, hairstyle, or current living conditions. We may also dislike how others behave, how they work, and the outcomes of their efforts. We may also not like how the community operates. 

In the face of these frustrations, a simple yet powerful suggestion is this: if you don’t like something, change it. If it’s impossible to change everything immediately, be patient and persistent. Gradually seek to understand the situation, others, and yourself, and work toward the changes you want to see. If change isn’t possible, then adjust your perspective and response accordingly.​

​​​As children, we don't complain about our parents' financial situation because we understand they are doing their best. However, we still expect our parents to have the knowledge and protect us to a certain extent and not hesitate to spend when necessary to prevent harm caused by ignorance and recklessness.

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​Ski is dangerous. I recently heard a friend sharing several accidents she witnessed while skiing, which made me think about our parents' responsibility to keep us safe. For example, a boy was about to reach the bottom of the mountain when he fell, but fortunately, he was caught by a safety net. Although he didn't fall, he was scared and couldn't stand up alone. The rescuer found that he needed the skills the ski school should have taught him, such as wearing skis and slopes correctly. Another example is a little girl who taught herself to ski while riding a cable car, thinking that skiing is easy to learn. But when she got off the cable car, she didn't know that she should put away the ski poles, so she tripped and fell. Although she wasn't injured, it's still worrying for untrained children to participate in such dangerous activities. In some less formal ski resorts, we often witness more hazardous situations. Proper education, tutoring, and correct equipment can prevent many unnecessary injuries. It's necessary to invite a coach to take classes and purchase the right equipment before the start of the ski season every year. These should not be ignored to save money.

​I faced similar difficulties when I was a child. Although I love skating, my parents could only afford a pair of skates. The cost of the ice rink was barely affordable, but the extra costs, such as sharpening the ice blade, were too much. Because I couldn't pay for the course or hire a coach, I could only learn by myself or casually, so my skating skills were always half-baked. I didn't understand it when I was a child. Still, as I grew up, I realized that professional training in swimming, table tennis, badminton, and other sports would bring a completely different experience. If we have financial constraints, we should guide children to choose more suitable sports, such as running and mountaineering, so that they can enjoy the fun of sports.

​Recently, we made a similar mistake when we drove a water scooter at the seaside. We asked the children to book a service in the hotel and let them go on a motorboat to the sea without professional guidance. The waves and the sea fascinated them, causing the motorboat to collide. Although no one was hurt, it cost us $1,200 in maintenance. We blamed the children for being careless, but we also blamed ourselves. This kind of activity requires professional safety knowledge and guidance. Did our hasty behavior put our children at risk?

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Last year, we encountered a similar situation on the water trail in Zion National Park. Suitable shoes and socks could be rented at the trail entrance, and a strong walking crutch could be provided as support. We followed these suggestions, rented the equipment, and had a good time. But on the way, we saw many people walking without renting equipment, and some even picked up wooden sticks on the roadside as walking sticks. I clearly remember seeing an old lady in her sixties passing by me, wearing ordinary shoes, no walking sticks, and walking very fast. She looked very happy when she walked in the water with her family. At first, I didn't care, but soon I saw her sitting by the roadside crying, her hand bones twisted and bleeding all the time. Everyone went to help, but the rescue equipment in the mountains was limited (or not), and it became challenging to help her out of the trail. Even if you call for rescue, you need kind-hearted people to run out and call for an ambulance. In this way, it is estimated that you need to wait for 1-2 hours at the earliest. How painful it is. Safety during travel is critical. The danger is not the danger itself but the ignorance of danger.

As parents, we have many expectations for our children's growth, but our behavior often needs to be introspected and learned. Otherwise, just like those children in the snow field, people will feel very anxious when they see it. If your friends have a similar situation, kindly remind them. May your friends be happy and healthy and say goodbye to the danger of ignorance and recklessness.

Metaphors are a highly effective communication tool. For example, each individual is as unique as a snowflake when discussing uniqueness. To refer to the beauty and transience of life, we can compare it to the splendor of cherry blossoms. To express strength, we might say it is as strong as a mountain standing against a fierce wind. To illustrate fragility, we could say it is like a soap bubble.Additionally, we can discuss transformation by referencing a snake shedding its skin. These metaphors trigger people's imaginations and encourage visualization and storytelling. Learning to use metaphors can significantly enhance our communication skills.

But how can we discover the metaphors available to us? We can collect them while reading books, listening to stories, or engaging in other forms of communication. Utilizing tools like ChatGPT can also be beneficial since it is adept at language and can provide a variety of metaphorical expressions. 

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If you look closely at nature, you realize how blessed human life is, although its lifespan is incredibly and insultingly brief. As humans, we have the opportunity to spend wonderful times with our families — to watch our children grow, to share meals, laughter, and milestones together. We build memories, pass down knowledge, and offer support through generations. It’s a deeply connected and nurturing way of life.

In contrast, look at the life of a squid. After mating, the male dies immediately. The female stays just long enough to guard her eggs, but even before they hatch, she too begins to die, stopping eating as her body deteriorates. The baby squids, when they emerge, are entirely alone. They receive no care, guidance, or inheritance — they must survive entirely independently. Their life begins not with love but with a solitary fight for survival.

Or take particular species of spiders, like the Australian redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti) or the black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans), where the female kills and consumes the male after mating. It’s a brutal, unforgiving reality.

Nature, in many cases, is harsh, and life can be cruel. Compared to that, the life we enjoy — full of love, support, and family bonds — is truly a blessing. It’s something to recognize and cherish. Enjoy your family, treasure the moments, and feel grateful for the kindness and warmth that surround you.

Words carry emotions. For example, the word "sour" may trigger your sense of taste, "warm"  may evoke feelings of comfort, and "smile" may influence you to cheer up a bit. When these sensory-laden words carry emotional weight, they can be tapped into our memories and bodily responses, often without us realizing it. In communication, we can use emotional words to create deeper connections between people.

Saying, "That meal was warm and comforting," paints a richer picture than simply calling it "delicious." Descriptive, feeling-driven language helps listeners and readers picture and feel the content.  These words turn our sentences into an experience—adding texture, temperature, feeling, and taste to our conversations. 

Here are some words that can help create a warm and welcoming atmosphere:  warm,  cozy, safe, reassuring, gentle, calm, soothing, soft, light, peaceful, grounding, steady, supportive, familiar, and kindly. Each of these words carries a sense of emotional ease and stability, helping to foster an environment where people feel comfortable, valued, and at ease.

When we understand how words resonate with the senses, we begin to shape thoughts and feelings—making language one of the most powerful tools for human connection. Whether we want to soothe, energize, or persuade someone, choosing words that activate physical or emotional reactions helps us communicate more effectively. ​

​John Doerr’s Measure What Matters explains that OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) are a structured goal-setting framework designed to align teams and organizations toward measurable success. 

• An Objective is a clear, ambitious goal that provides direction.
• Key Results are specific, quantifiable outcomes that indicate progress toward achieving the objective. 

OKRs are not vague aspirations or simple task lists; they require clear definitions and measurable benchmarks. Unlike traditional performance management tools, OKRs emphasize stretch goals, accountability, and continuous iteration, ensuring that teams focus on outcomes rather than just activities.

Measurement is central to the OKR framework, as progress is tracked through well-defined Key Results, which must be specific, time-bound, and measurable. OKRs differ from key performance indicators (KPIs), which track business performance but do not necessarily drive change. While KPIs measure the health of an organization, OKRs push teams toward significant improvement and innovation. Other related measurements include CFRs (Conversations, Feedback, and Recognition), which complement OKRs by encouraging a culture of continuous feedback and growth rather than static performance evaluations. The book highlights that OKRs should be regularly reviewed and adjusted based on progress rather than rigid annual targets.

The key concepts behind OKRs include focus, alignment, commitment, tracking, and stretching—all of which contribute to their effectiveness. OKRs create transparency within organizations, ensuring all team members know priorities and progress. 

The benefits of OKRs include improved goal clarity, increased motivation through ambitious targets, and enhanced collaboration by linking individual and team efforts to overarching company objectives. Unlike traditional management approaches that emphasize top-down control, OKRs encourage autonomy, agility, and innovation that drive meaningful progress in business, social impact, and personal development.