高中英语信息词选择信息匹配

Would you like to explore (开发) the oceans? Do you want to find     life than we imagine there? For Jacques Cousteau, the answer was “yes”. His career was a life-long dream, and he is  (probable) the most famous ocean scientist in recent times.
Cousteau was born in France in 1910. Even    a child, he loved water. Cousteau was bright,      he got bored with school and began to cause trouble. His parents sent him to a strict boarding school. There, Cousteau finally felt    (challenge). He studied hard and did well in all his courses. In 1933, he served as a general officer in the French Navy. He also began to explore the life under the water. He worked  a breathing machine to stay under water longer. It was finished in 1943.
In 1948, Cousteau became a captain, and he had new duties. Even so, he continued to explore the oceans. Two years later, he became the president of the French Oceanographic Campaigns. He also bought a ship    (help) with his dives. But he     (need) a way to get money for his trips. To do that, he produced many films and published a number of books. His films include “The Silent World (1956)”, “World without Sun (1966)”. One of his books is “The Living Sea (1963)”.
In 1974, he founded the Cousteau Society,   function was to further oceanic research and to encourage people to help protect the oceans and the life within them.
Cousteau won many honors for his work,     (include) the Medal of Freedom and membership in the French Academy in 1989.

根据文章内容，从方框A-F选项中，选出每一段的小题或能概括主题思想的最佳选项，选项中有一项为多余选项。
A. The Introduction of Paris
B. The Culture of Paris
C. The Population Growth in Paris
D. The Production of Paris
E. The Education in Paris
F. The Industries in Paris
______________________
Paris, the capital and the largest city of the country, is in north central France. The Paris metropolitan area has nearly 20% of the nation’s population and is the economic, cultural, and political center of France. The French government have historically favored the city as the site for all decision making, thus powerfully attracting nearly all of the nation’s activities.
____________________
Paris has grown steadily since it was chosen as the national capital in the late 10th century. With the introduction of the Industrial Revolution, a great number of people moved to the city from the country during the 19th century. The migration was especially stimulated by the construction of railroads, which provided easy access to the capital. After World War II more and more immigrants arrived.
____________________
The city is the centralized（中央集权） control point of most national radio and television broadcasting. It is a place of publication of the most prestigious(有威望的)newspapers and magazines and an international book publishing center. With more than 100 museums, Paris has truly one of the greatest concentrations of art treasures in the world. The Louvre, opened as a museum in 1793, is one of the largest museums in the world.
___________________
In the late 1980s about 4.1 million pupils annually attended about 47,000 elementary schools. In addition, about 5.4 million students attended some 11,200 secondary schools. Approximately 1.2 million students were enrolled（录取） annually at universities and colleges in France in the late 1980s. French centers of learning have served as academic models throughout the world.
___________________
Paris is the leading industrial center of France, with about one quarter of the nation’s manufacturing concentrated in the metropolitan area. Industries of consumers goods have always been drawn to Paris by the enormous market of the big population; and modern, high-technology industries also have become numerous since World War II. Chief manufactures are machinery, automobiles, chemicals and electrical equipment.

根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。(请将此题的答案写在答题纸上！)
How to Avoid Weight Gain Over Holidays
Do you love the holidays, but hate the pounds that follow? You are not alone. Holidays are times for feasting and celebrating. Many people are worried about their weight.    Whether you are celebrating at the office party or sitting down for the traditional family dinner, regard eating as a time for tasting a variety of foods. The idea is to enjoy the holidays but not to eat too much. You don’t have to turn away from the foods that you enjoy.
Here are some tips for preventing weight gain and maintaining physical fitness:
Don’t skip meals.
Before you leave home, have a small, low-fat meal or snack.  
Control portions.
Use a small plate (about 10 inches) and put aside the large ones that may encourage you to “load up.”   Once you have your “tasting” serving, move away from the dining table. Doing so will make it less tempting (吸引人的) to be eating constantly as your appetite is inspired by the sight of food.
Begin with soup and fruit or vegetables.
Fill up beforehand with water-based soup and raw fruit or vegetables. Or drink a large glass of water before you eat to help you feel full.
Stick to physical activity.
_A 20-minute walk after a meal can help burn off additional calories.
__ Dishes that look oily or creamy may have a large amount of fat. Choose lean meats. Fill your plate with salad and green vegetables. Use lemon juice instead of dressing or butter.

A．This may help to avoid getting too excited before delicious food.

B．You had better turn your attention away from delicious foods.

C．With proper planning, though, it is possible to keep normal weight during the holidays.

D．You should be most comfortable eating an amount of food about the size of your fist.

E. Avoid high-fat foods.
F. Don’t let exercise take a break during the holidays.
G. You’d better remember the Dos and Don’ts for keeping fit and slim.

Being organized is an important skill for school and life.When you're well organized, you can stay focused, instead of spending time hunting things down.____For schoolwork, it means having one notebook or place where you store all your assignments, so you know what you have to do and when.Keeping labeled folders(贴有标签的文件夹) for handouts(课堂讲义)and keeping all your schoolwork neat and in a specific place—these are the main parts of organization.
For home stuff, being organized means having a place to put your things and putting them back as you go.____It means keeping your schoolbag, your shoes, and your clean underwear in the same places so you always know where to find them.
Planning is part of being organized, too.___ Calendars, lists, and schedules can help you plan.You can buy or draw a calendar and keep it near your workplace.Making a schedule or “todo” list for yourself is a good idea.Looking at your list helps you keep track of what you need to do.____ Check off things when you've done them.Use your list to help you decide which thing is most important to work on first.
____But once you're organized, it feels great.The less time you spend hunting around for things or panicking about homework, the more time you have for better things, like reading a good book or playing.

A．Planning means deciding what you will do and when you will do it.

B．First, you should get your schoolwork organized.

C．Add new thi Check off things when you've done them.

D．You will benefit a lot from a good habit.

E.What does it mean to be organized?
F.It takes some extra efforts to organize yourself and your stuff.
G.It means hanging your coat up instead of dropping it on the floor or throwing it on a chair.

A. A scarf, a good present for fair ladies. In winter, in addition to keeping you warm, a scarf around your neck can help draw other’s attention.
B. Guitar Beginners. Do you like music? Do you want to play the guitar well in a short time?
This new book, written by guitarist Frank Jones, helps even the most basic beginner read his way to being a competent guitar player in just 20 days.
C. The Milk Calcium, produced for the senior. More and more people have realized that to be healthy is really the most important. The milk Calcium is especially good for the ones lack of calcium(钙).
D. The Classic Explorer’s Compass, a precious instrument, will help you know wherever you are. Each comes with its own waterproof leather case.
你打算为你的朋友Mike, Mary, Robert和Lily选购新年礼物。请阅读有关对他们的描述，匹配信息选出最适合他们的礼品。
_______ Mike likes sports and travel. He would like something that he can take with him on his journeys, especially when he is camping or hiking, because sometimes it is hard to find the direction.
_______Mary likes parties and discos. She likes to look smart, and she is very fond of music. She says that she likes books, but she never reads any. Now, she wants to learn how to play a musical instrument.
_______ Robert is an eighty-year-old man. He likes doing exercise in the morning. But one week ago, the doctor told him that he suffered from osteoporosis(骨质疏松) in a common health examination.
_______Lily is a beautiful girl. She sings well and is going to perform at the New Year’s party. She’d like to wear something that is attractive at the party.

根据短文内容，从下框的A～F选项中选出能概括每一段主题的最佳选项，选项中有一项为多余项。
A. To meet with their friends.
B. To get working opportunities
C. To get religious freedom
D. To get away from the hardships
E. To avoid being short of food
F. To be attracted by the adventure
America is a country that was established by all the immigrants that came to settle there. The original settlers in America are the Indian-Americans who have been living there for thousands of years already, even before Christopher Columbus discovered it. Many people wonder the answer to the question why Mexican immigrants came to America.
        
The first answer to the question, why immigrants came to America is that most of them came to be saved from getting persecuted from a religious and get freedom. The Irish immigrants were just like some of the Mexican immigrants who came because they were afraid of getting persecuted（迫害） by the England church.
        
The second answer to the question, why Mexican immigrants came to America is to escape famine（饥荒）from Mexico. A big famine happened in the eighteenth century. A lot of people had no food and were starved to death so that they had to leave.
         
The third answer to the question, why Mexican immigrants came to America is to find good opportunities for a job. Many workers were needed when America was starting because many infrastructures were needed to be built. Many of them became farmers and carpenters. Some of them also sent money back to their families or relatives who still remained in Mexico. This is still a situation that is happening even today.
         
The fourth answer to the question, why Mexican immigrants came to America is that they wanted to seek adventure. Many people from other countries including Mexico had heard of the new found land and they wanted to see it for adventure. Many of them liked what they saw in America and decided to settle there permanently.
        
The fifth answer to the question, why Mexican immigrants came to America is to be able to escape（逃避）from the hardships in Mexico. They also came to reunite with some relatives who were already living in the United States. Many Mexicans settled in Texas, Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico.

信息匹配
A: Now，tell me about the man who stole your neighbour's car．What did he look like?
B: Well，sir．He was tall.
A:
B: Oh yes，and he was younger than you—only about thirty，I'd say．
A: Well! And what colour was his hair?
B: It was brown，and short.it was similar to yours，actually．
A:
B: No．He was clean-shaven．
A: OK．Now have a look at these photos—can you see him?
B:
A: But that's Frankie Famham—he's got a beard，and he's very short!
B: Hm，well..．
A:
B: Yes，the strangest thing was that he appeared to be a gentleman—he was wearing a suit..．not
like a thief at all．
A: Hm，like this photo?
B: Yes，that's him!
A: That’s Bill Mahony: he's in prison! Are you sure you saw the thief?
B:

A．No，I can't．

B．Taller than me?

C．How tall was he?

D．Did he have a beard?

E． Well，er，it was very dark..．
F． Oh yes，he looked exactly like this one here．
G． Do you remember anything else about the man?

Attitudes Wired in Happy and Successful Brains
I’ve carefully examined happy and successful people from all different professions —actors, scientists, comedians, musicians, etc. They share very similar philosophies. Here are some of the fundamental attitudes and beliefs that contribute to their happiness and success:
◆           ①
This is one of the most commonly recited mottos in self-improvement. Individuals who see their mistakes and failures as a learning experience are much more prone to happiness and success.
When we adopt the belief that “failure is a part of learning,” we become more resilient and courageous in the face of new challenges.
Instead of avoiding situations where we may embarrass ourselves, we embrace these challenges in life, even when we know they can be risky and painful. When we do fail, we don’t see it as the end of the world, but a point to improve upon.
◆            ②
Many people are great at finding problems and being critical about their lives; however, they do this without ever suggesting a possible solution or alternative to their situation.
They complain about this and that, but they never take an active role to actually improve these things. They focus on problems not to learn from them or fix them, but to make excuses for why their lives are miserable and unpleasant.
I believe acknowledging problems in life is important. I don’t recommend that we ignore things in our life that disturb us or make us unhappy. However, it’s also important to think of ways we can actually respond to these problems and change our circumstances.
Ruminating over problems in our life without a plan to take action is not only a waste of time, but it makes us even more sad and depressed. If you’re going to be critical about something in your life, focus on the ways you can actually make a difference.
◆             ③
Happy and successful people are incredibly grateful for their lives and everything they have: their relationships, their home, their job, their possessions, their talents, their achievements, etc.
Although successful people are often thought of as always hungry and striving – always trying to improve things, achieve their goals, and make things better – this inner drive doesn’t take away from the fact they are very happy and content with their lives.
Gratitude is an irreplaceable characteristic of true happiness and success. Even if we achieve great things in life, without gratitude we often find ourselves empty and discontent. Make sure you take the time to reflect on how lucky you are as a person (I believe everyone can find something to be grateful for).
◆            ④
Happy and successful individuals know that we can learn a lot from other happy and successful individuals. Having peopled to look up to is a great resource for learning the beliefs and habits that contribute to other people’s success, and then modeling those beliefs and habits in our own lives.
If you want to improve a particular area of your life, then find a couple of people who already excel in that area of life. Study them. Ask them questions. Have them show you their technique and share their stories.
The more willing you are to learn from others, the more successful you will be. Talking and listening to others is one of the best ways to get more perspective into what you want to improve in life — and how you can do it.
Please add a comment at the bottom of this page or blog in our forum here. Please do not use apostrophes in your comments.
What does the underlined word “resilient” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?

A．depressed	B．regretful
C．romantic	D．flexible

The author thinks if one merely focuses on problems, he’ll ________.

A．find out a way to solve problems

B．ignore complaints about problems

C．use the problems as his excuses

D．acknowledge and solve problems

People with gratitude ________.

A．feel satisfied with his life

B．stop struggling in life

C．owe success to their own talents

D．reflect on their achievements

The successful people may possess the following attitudes EXCEPT ________.

A．gratitude and belief

B．courage and risk

C．willingness and luckiness

D．fortune and convention

Choose the following sub-headings for Parts ①②③ and ④.
a. Learn from others            b. Show your gratitude
c. Focus on solutions           d. Learn from failure

A．a b c d	B．d c b a
C．d a b c	D．a c b d

Which of the following can be used to support the concept “Show your gratitude”？

A．“He is a wise man who does not sigh for the things which he has not, but appreciates forthose which he has.” — Epictetus

B．“We think too small. Like the frog at the bottom of the well. He thinks the sky is only asbig as the top of the well. If he surfaced, he would have an entirely different view.” — Mao Tse-Tung

C．“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, butthe really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” — Mark Twain

D．“Failure is the foundation of success, and the means by which it is achieved. Success is the hiding-place of failure; but who can tell when the turning-point will come?”

— Lao Tzu

根据短文内容，从选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中两项为多余选项。
A good book can be satisfying. If reading is a habit you’d like to get into, there are some ways to develop it.
Realize that reading is enjoyable if you have a good book. If you have a difficult book and you are forcing yourself through it, it will seem like a task. _____
Set time. You should have some time during every day when you’ll read for at least 5 to 10 minutes. ______ For example, make it a habit to read during breakfast and lunch and even dinner if you eat alone.
Always carry a book. ______When I leave the house, I always make sure to have my car keys and one book at hand. The book stays with me in the car, and I take it into the office and to appointments and pretty much everywhere I go.
_____ Find a place in your home where you can sit in a comfortable chair. Don’t lie down unless you’re going to sleep. There shouldn’t be a television or a computer near the chair, and no music or no noisy family members/ roommates. If you don’t have a place like this, create one.
Reduce television/ the Internet. If you really want to read more, try cutting back on time on TV or the Internet.  _____But remember: every minute you reduce of the Internet/ TV, you could use for reading. This could create hours of book reading time.

A．Wherever you go, take a book with you.

B．Go to bookstores.

C．Have some good tea or coffee while you read.

D．Find a quiet place.

E. This may be difficult for some people.
F. If this happens, give up the book and find another one that you’ll really love.
G. It means you will read no matter how busy you are.

根据短文内容，从文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
Sometimes willpoweris a lot like the television remote control hard to findjust when you want it most．       But there are waysto increase your willpower．
Don’t try to change your economic situation，win a promotion and lose weight all on the same morning．Setone clear，specific goaland make a realistic plan toachieve it. Extrawillpower sometimes requires extra energy，so don’t spread yourself too thin．     
Whatever your goal is，don’texpect to achieveit overnight．        ，If you are trying to kick a coffee habit，start by replacing your morning cup of coffee with a glass of water,instead of promising never to drink coffee again．Congratulateyourself on the small achievements．These successes help your willpower grow．
        Ask friends，family or colleagues for assistance and tell them exactly how they can help．If your credit card bills have risen，for instance，let friends now that you are cutting back on expenses．Suggest havinga common dinner instead of meetingat an expensive restaurant．Find support group or organization related to your goal and attend their meeting．Youcan get valuableadvice,understanding and information．
If possible，change your environment to encourage positive behavior．Want to get in shape?Keep a set of workout clothesinyour office as a reminder to stop by the gym on the way home. Quitting smoking?     

A．Real success takes time．

B．Focus on one goat at atime．

C．Change your environment to change your life．

D．Improve your willpower by a support network．

E．Changing your behavior requires more than willpower．
F．Avoid bars or restaurants where you might be attracted to light up．
G．Breaking a bad habit or forming a new and healthy one can be difficult．

Many times, we find it very amusing to see people who can keep a smile on their face all the time．It’s kind of annoying, isn’t it? ___Let’s see some tips on how to have a positive attitude and see how that can change our lives．
__ It really works! If you’re stuck in a terrible situation or a negative stage of your life, all you have to do is to think of the good times that are going to come after your bad stage gets over．Hope for the best and you will get the best．
We always feel good when we help others in some way, right? There’ a sense of achievement, satisfaction and positivity associated with giving and helping．
Being grateful for what you have can help you to be positive．If you’re the type to be whining, complaining and groaning about the things you don’t have, we must say that you need a reality check．    Look around you and see other people who don’t have enough resources like you do．
Forget the regrets of your past．Are you in a depressed mood all the time because you are carrying the burden of a trouble past with you? Then you must realize that every moment you think of a dark past with negativity, you will lose one bright moment of your present and the future．Letting go of your past is the only way you can have a positive attitude all the time．
 Keeping fit and healthy is a critical tip in having a positive attitude．You might have all the money, success and the luxury in the world, but you won’t be able to enjoy anything if you don’t have good health．

A．So try to do a good deed a day and help others with your strengths．

B．Being unsatisfied will also be a barrier in helping you to have a positive attitude．

C．That’s because we don’t know the advantages of having a positive attitude all the time．

D．It’s no use complaining because you have already had a good life．

E．Think of the good times you are going to have．
F．Make sure you know the importance of good health．
G．Try to think about terrible and negative things in your life．

Cathy,Jason,Kate,Wayne和Frank各自打算订一份杂志。第1至5题是他们的个人情况介绍。阅读下面六种杂志的简介(A、B、C、D、E和F)，选出符合各人需要的最佳选项，并在答题纸上将该选项标号涂黑。选项中有一项是多余选项。
    A young mother raising her first child,Cathy tries to spend as much time as she can playing with her baby girl.She is eager to get more knowledge of child development and to better understand how young children look at the world.
    Jason is a successful young businessman.He travels widely and enjoys adventures and challenges.Having been to many different countries,Jason is still looking for new places to visit.His biggest dream is to see every corner of the world before he retires.
    Smart and pretty,Kate is very popular among her friends.She takes great care of how she looks and has a great interest in fashion and the lifestyle of famous people.Besides,she also enjoys reading articles written specially for young girls.
    Wayne teaches science in a middle school.He not only wants his students to know more about modern science,but also tries hard to develop a curiosity about nature among his students.He is gathering materials for his students to read.
    Frank is the father of a 10-year-old boy.He believes that in this fast-developing world parents should prepare their children for lifelong learning at an early age.Therefore,in his opinion,the most important skill for children to learn is to discover things on their own.He is looking for a magazine for his son.
A

Seventeen Seventeen provides advice and encouragement for masses of young girls.Although its primary focus is fashion and famous people,this teen magazine offers more.Mixed among the latest styles,you’ll find short but interesting articles.Topics range from beauty to the risks of drinking. Price:$22.95($3.83/issue)

 
B

Muse Muse seeks to stimulate,delight,and challenge every curious child between the ages of 13 and 16.Produced by the editors and publishers of Cricket,Muse features articles on space,genetics,lasers,rain forests,computers,physics,math,earth sciences,and almost everything else in the universe. Price:$32.97($3.66/issue)

 
C

WONDERTIME WONDERTIME is a new magazine from the editors of FamilyFun,devoted to helping parents develop children’s love of learning.A blend of how and why,WONDERTIME inspires parents to see the world through the eyes of their children.WONDERTIME mixes playful activities with scientific knowledge about how children develop physically,socially,intellectually,creatively,and emotionally. Price:$10.00($1.00/issue)

 
D

National Geographic Adventurer A new magazine from National Geographic,National Geographic Adventurer is intended for a generation of active men and women who seek new & challenging ways to explore and experience the world.The magazine offers an exciting mix of great photography and interesting articles.Features focus on best adventure stories,travel destinations,sports and more. Price:$14.95($1.50/issue)

 
E

FamilyFun What does family fun mean to you?Crafts?Recipes?Party ideas?FamilyFun magazine dishes up these and more interesting activities in over 180 colorful pages.Aimed at parents with young children,this energetic magazine promises to enrich the lives of families.Reviews of computer games,books,videos,and DVDs,written by experts,help parents feel up to the minute. Price:$9.95($0.99/issue)

 
F

Kids Discover To help children aged 6 to 12 become lifelong learners,each issue of Kids Discover looks into a single topic in science or social studies which children of this age group have a great interest in.The combination of exciting color photography,lovely pictures and informative kid-friendly text engages readers with attractive content. Price:$26.95($2.25/issue)

Most of you love watching movies. They can be funny, sad, imaginative, inspiring, and so much more! There are so many possibilities and so many great movies to watch!
The making of a movie usually begins with a script (剧本).     The producer is the person who is responsible for coordinating(协调) aspects of the film like budget and scheduling. The producer plans out how the project will be carried out and he usually starts by hiring a director!
   The director will usually identify themes or feelings that he or she wants the movie to convey to its audience and will then assemble(聚集) all the other people who will be needed, such as costume-designers, makeup artists, special effects crew, stuntmen, cameramen, and, of course, actors!
Next, shooting begins! Often a director will want to get several “takes” (versions) of a scene or moment and usually only a few minutes of the movie are finished in one day’s work.      So once filming is completed, the director must then work with editors to piece them all together, deciding which takes to use and adding in any special effects or touch-ups.
The entire process from acquiring the script to editing the scenes generally takes months or even years! Once it’s ready, the finished movie is then distributed to movie theatres.  

A．Scenes are also usually not shot in order.

B．The actual filming can be a slow process.

C．The way that movies are made has changed a lot over time.

D．It gets bought by a movie studio or a producer.

E. The producer plays a very important role in making a movie.
F. In movies, the director’s job is to bring the script to life on camera.
G. People can watch and enjoy it in the theatre.

根据短文内容，从下框的A~F选项中选出能概括每一段主题的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该选项涂黑。选项中有一项为多余项。
.

A. When a child should learn to read B. Why it is fun to teach a child reading C. What if a child has reading problems D. How you prepare a young child for reading E. What is the best way to teach a child reading F. Whether reading early promises later achievements

       
Learning to read early has become one of those indicators — in parents' minds at least – that their child is smart. In fact, reading early has very little to do with whether a child is successful academically. Research has shown that difficulty with reading is often due not to inferior intelligence but to differences in the developmental wiring of each individual child. In some cases, there are neurological problems and developmental lags that can be overcome with proper training.
_______________.
Traditionally, American schools teach children at age six, but many schools begin teaching informally in kindergarten and pre-kindergarten. If parents start too early to encourage reading, and a child does not immediately succeed, the parent has a hard time relaxing and letting the child go at his or her own pace.
_____________________
Over the years, research has proved that the use of both the “whole language" method and the "phonic" method works best for a child to master reading. While the whole language approach, which includes reading to children and getting them interested in both the activity of reading and the story they are reading, is helpful, phonics must be taught. Children must be taught that one of the squiggles they see is a "p" and another a "b". Getting the print off the page requires a different ability than being able to understand the meaning of what is written.
___________________
You can start developing the skills needed in reading at a very young age without putting any pressure on children. Besides reading to them, parents can start "ear training" their child by playing thyme games. This develops the child's ability to recognize different sounds. In reading to children, parents also can point to words as they go, teaching the child that the funny lines on the page are the words you are saying. All this should be a fun activity.
_____________________
Once a child is in school, the learning of reading is inevitably more serious. For children who have some kind of reading difficulty, you must get a professional diagnosis. While the teacher might say the child is merely disinterested but will get over it, disinterest or poor performance in reading can stem from a number of things, some being very specific learning disabilities that can be identified and worked on. But it is very tricky for parents to deal with their own child's learning disabilities.

根据短文内容，从下框的A—F选项中选出能概括每一段主题的最佳选项。 选项中有一项为多余选项。 （说明：E涂AB；F涂AC）

A. Relocate the meaning of life. B. Say goodbye to guilt and regret. C. Avoid repetition. D. Do something new. E. Give to get. F. Put yourself in the fun zone.

Five Secrets of High-Energy People
Very little that’s new occurs in our lives. The impact of this sameness on our emotional energy is gradual, but huge: It’s like a tire with a slow leak(漏). You don’t notice it at first, but eventually you’ll get a flat. Here’s a challenge: If it’s something you wouldn’t ordinarily do, do it. Try a dish you’ve never eaten. Listen to music you’d ordinarily tune out. You’ll discover these small things add to your emotional energy.
The first step in solving this meaning shortage is to figure out what you really care about, and then do something about it. A case in point is Ivy, 57, a pioneer in investment banking. “I mistakenly believed that all the money I made would mean something,” she says. “But I feel lost, like a 22-year-old wondering what to do with her life.” Ivy’s solution? She started a program that shows Wall Streeters how to donate time and money to poor children. In the process, Ivy filled her life with meaning.
Most of us grown-ups live a dull life. High-energy people have the same day-to-day work as the rest of us, but they manage to find something enjoyable in every situation. A real estate broker I know keeps herself amused on the job by mentally redecorating the houses she shows to clients. “I love imagining what even the most run-down house could look like with a little tender loving care,” she says. “It’s a challenge—and the least desirable properties are usually the most fun.”
Everyone’s past is filled with regrets that still cause pain. But from an emotional energy point of view, they are dead weights that keep us from moving forward. While they can’t merely be willed away, I do recommend you remind yourself that whatever happened is in the past, and nothing can change that. Holding on to the memory only allows the damage to continue into the present.
Emotional energy has a kind of magical quality; the more you give, the more you get back. This is the difference between emotional and physical energy. With the latter, you have to get it to be able to give it. With the former, however, you get it by giving it. After all, if it’s true that what goes around comes around, why not make sure that what’s circulating around you is the good stuff?