Posts

Guilt: The Lingering Regret​

Guilt is a heavy feeling that sticks to you after you’ve done something you think is wrong. It might be a lie you told, a promise you broke, or a chance to help someone you missed. It whispers in your ear, reminding you of your mistake over and over. You might avoid the person you hurt, or punish yourself by skipping things you enjoy. Guilt can be useful—it teaches you right from wrong—but when it lingers too long, it becomes harmful. The best way to ease guilt is to make amends: apologize sincerely, fix what you can, and learn from your mistake. You can’t change the past, but you can choose to do better in the future.​

Cross-Border Urban Collaboration​

The European Union’s “Interreg” program funds cross-border projects, such as the “Rhine-Ruhr” region (Germany/Netherlands), which shares public transit and energy resources. The “Greater Bay Area” (China), linking Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangdong, promotes economic integration through shared infrastructure. Cross-border collaboration helps cities tackle global challenges like climate change and inequality, leveraging collective resources.​

The Legal System and Economic Development: A Mutually Promoting Relationship​

The legal system and economic development are closely linked and mutually promoting. A sound legal system can provide a stable and fair market environment for economic activities, protecting the legitimate rights and interests of market entities and promoting fair competition. For example, intellectual property laws protect the fruits of innovation, encouraging enterprises to invest in research and development and promoting technological progress. Commercial laws regulate market transactions, reducing transaction costs and improving transaction efficiency. In turn, economic development puts forward higher requirements for the legal system, promoting the improvement and perfection of relevant laws and regulations. The coordinated development of the legal system and economy is conducive to achieving sustainable economic growth.​

When He Moved Away​

When my brother got a job in another city, I was devastated. We’d never lived apart. On the day he left, we loaded his car in silence. When it was time to say goodbye, he pulled me into a hug and said, “This isn’t the end. I’ll call you every day, and I’ll come home every chance I get.” At first, it was hard—no more late-night talks, no more Sunday morning pancakes together. But he kept his promise. He called every night, sent me care packages, and came home for holidays. Now, when we see each other, it’s like no time has passed. Brotherhood isn’t about being together every day—it’s about knowing that distance can never break the bond.​

How Diet Affects Depression​

What we eat plays a role in mental health—research links a “Western diet” (high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats) to a higher risk of depression. Processed foods can cause inflammation in the body, which affects brain function and mood. On the other hand, a “Mediterranean diet” (rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and olive oil) is associated with lower rates of depression. Omega-3 fatty acids (found in salmon and walnuts) support brain health, while vitamin D (from sunlight and fortified foods) may help regulate mood. Gut health is also connected to mental health—probiotics (in yogurt and fermented foods) can improve gut bacteria, which communicates with the brain via the “gut-brain axis.” Making small dietary changes—like adding more fruits and vegetables or reducing sugar—can help boost mood over time.​

15. Lu Xun: Burning the Seven 百里连营 in the Battle of Yiling​

After Guan Yu was killed by the Wu army, Liu Bei was filled with anger and led 700,000 troops to attack Wu, determined to avenge Guan Yu. Sun Quan appointed Lu Xun as the commander-in-chief of the Wu army to resist Liu Bei. Lu Xun was a young general, and many Wu officials doubted his ability. However, Lu Xun remained calm and adopted a strategy of avoiding the enemy’s edge. He ordered his troops to retreat continuously and not fight against the Shu army, which made Liu Bei’s army relax their vigilance. Liu Bei, seeing that the Wu army did not dare to fight, set up his camps in a line along the Yangtze River, stretching for 700 li (about 350 kilometers). Lu Xun saw that the Shu army’s camps were all built with flammable materials (such as wood and thatch) and that the weather was dry. He decided to launch a fire attack. One night, he ordered his soldiers to set fire to the Shu army’s camps. The fire spread rapidly, and the 700-li-long camps were all burned. The Shu army was in chaos, a...

8. Celebrating the Ordinary​

Most people celebrate birthdays and anniversaries with big parties, but Zoe and I prefer to celebrate the “ordinary” days. Last week, we celebrated “One Year of Making Perfect Pancakes Together”—the first time we didn’t burn them was a small miracle. We made a batch (fluffy, with blueberries, just how we like them), lit a candle, and sang “Happy Pancake Day” off-key. Zoe laughed so hard she snort-laughed, and I couldn’t help but join in. Another time, we celebrated “The Day We Found Our Favorite Park”—we packed a picnic, played frisbee (badly), and fed ducks that kept stealing our bread. These days aren’t special to anyone else, but they’re special to us. They remind us that love isn’t just about the milestones; it’s about the little moments that add up. Celebrating the ordinary makes us appreciate each other more, because it shows we’re paying attention to the small things that make our relationship unique. And honestly? Those pancake mornings are better than any fancy party.​