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Was Air Pollution Monet’s Muse (灵感之源)?

Claude Monet was a French painter who lived at the turn of the 20th century, from 1840 to 1926. He is credited as the founder of impressionism, a painting style characterized by its use of many thin brushstrokes 1．(create) a dream-like quality. Impressionist paintings are celebrated for the way 2． seem to capture a sense of life in motion. Monet didn’t just simply paint landscapes; he wanted to convey the sensations he experienced when he saw them.

Many of Monet’s paintings portray the passage of time, like clouds 3． (drift) through the sky. The landscapes in his paintings often have a misty appearance, 4． fog is clouding edges, and concealing objects that are far away. Some researchers have suggested the mist of Monet’s landscapes 5． have actually been air pollution.

Monet was painting at a time when heavy industry was starting to seriously impact the environment. This was especially true in urban centers like London and Paris. The supposition is that Monet’s works reflect the increasing levels of air pollution that Europe   6． (witness) in the late 19th century and early 20th century. 7． Monet’s painting career progressing, background visibility in his paintings seems to gradually decrease.

In letters to his wife, Monet sometimes described the smoke and fog in London, for 8． he obviously had a preference. Evidence suggests that 9． significant number of Monet’s works were influenced, or even inspired, by the way air pollution affected light and vision. 10． air pollution was the muse for one of modern history’s greatest artists might be true.

Dare to be Dull

A big part of why spontaneous (即兴的) speaking feels so challenging is the desire to always say the right thing in the right way at the right time. But that leads to unnecessary self-evaluation and criticism, consuming precious mental energy and preventing you from 1． engaging in the moment. I often advise people to follow a spontaneous comedy saying: “Dare to be dull.” That is, don’t feel you are   2． to give an exceptional performance. Recognize that there is no single “correct” way to answer a question, give feedback or welcome a colleague —only better or worse   3．.

Another popular saying also   4． here: “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” Listeners are more likely to trust you when you speak like a man of   5． rather than an actor or a robot. For example, research shows that the most effective speech includes 6． use of fillers such as “um” and “ah.” So when you need to speak spontaneously, refocus your attention on your listeners instead of   7． with your inner critic. Attempting to serve their needs will take your mental spotlight off yourself, relieving the pressure you feel. Tell yourself that 8．, making mistakes, and learning during spontaneous interactions are normal.

Micah, a student of mine, was fearful that his class contributions would be seen as 9．. To avoid embarrassment, he planned and rehearsed the points he wanted to make. But because he was always working to remember them and find the right time to use them, he was 10． and failed to get the most out of discussions. With my help he focused on silencing his inner critic. He began offering more ideas, sometimes imperfectly formed, and in just a few weeks he became less anxious and more confident.

4 Ways to Get That Vacation Feeling in Two Days

Going on vacation every week? It might sound like the _________ dream. But a simple mindset _________ can make it happen—no travel involved.

A few years ago, Holmes and her colleagues began _________ the importance of taking vacations. In a series of experiments, Holmes’ team _________ 441 U.S. workers to either spend the weekend like any other, or treat it like a vacation. When they were back at work on Monday, people who had adopted a vacation mindset reported being happier and less stressed.

“What was somewhat surprising is that the effect wasn’t driven by people spending time all that _________,” Holmes says. “It was this mindset that allowed them to be more present, _________ being in “doing” mode, it allowed people to settle in and be in the moment.

We asked people to share their favorite tips for adopting a vacation mindset at home.

Not everyone has Saturday and Sunday off work and actually some people often find their weekend schedules fully _________. You could still apply the philosophy. For example, devote an hour on Sunday morning to the _________, but protect the rest of the weekend as your vacation time.

Focus on what makes a vacation different from a __________ weekend. “Does it mean turning off your email notifications? Spending money carelessly? “Maybe it means being able to spend time with people you don’t normally get to see, or giving yourself a break on a workout,” Holmes says. “It’s helpful to make a list of those things and be able to __________.”

Decision scientist Nika Kabiri recommends doing something totally new so you can disconnect from the same old routines __________ your life. Among her favorite ideas: Drive to a part of town you’ve never been to before, go for a stroll, and grab lunch at the first cute café you see. “The spontaneity（自发性）is what makes experiences like this feel vacation-like,” Kabiri says.

Treating your weekend like a vacation doesn’t mean it needs to be a complicated affair. If your “vacation” encounters a few problems or lasts for only a few hours—don’t worry. “It doesn’t have to be all or nothing,” Kabiri says. “Don’t put pressure on yourself to have this ‘perfect vacation.’” It’s __________ to be fun. __________, there’s always another one just a few days away.