布衣之声

English Learning Makes You Smarter

Learning a foreign language is more than just a boost to your CV or handy for travelling. It will make you smarter, more decisive and even better at English, says Anne Merritt.

Physiological studies have found that speaking two or more languages is a great asset to the cognitive process. The brains of bilingual people operate differently than single language speakers, and these differences offer several mental benefits.

Below are seven cognitive advantages to learning a foreign language. Many of these attributes are only apparent in people who speak multiple languages regularly – if you haven’t spoken a foreign tongue since your A levels, your brain might not be reaping these bilingual benefits. However, people who begin language study in their adult lives can still achieve the same levels of fluency as a young learner, and still reap the same mental benefits, too.

You become smarter

Speaking a foreign language improves the functionality of your brain by challenging it to recognise, negotiate meaning, and communicate in different language systems. This skill boosts your ability to negotiate meaning in other problem-solving tasks as well.

Students who study foreign languages tend to score better on standardised tests than their monolingual peers, particularly in the categories of maths, reading, and vocabulary.

You build multitasking skills

Multilingual people, especially children, are skilled at switching between two systems of speech, writing, and structure. According to a study from the Pennsylvania State University, this “juggling” skill makes them good multitaskers, because they can easily switch between different structures. In one study, participants used a driving simulator while doing separate, distracting tasks at the same time. The research found that people who spoke more than one language made fewer errors in their driving.

You stave off Alzheimer’s and dementia

Several studies have been conducted on this topic, and the results are consistent. For monolingual adults, the mean age for the first signs of dementia is 71.4. For adults who speak two or more languages, the mean age for those first signs is 75.5. Studies considered factors such as education level, income level, gender, and physical health, but the results were consistent.

Your memory improves

Educators often liken the brain to a muscle, because it functions better with exercise. Learning a language involves memorising rules and vocabulary, which helps strengthen that mental “muscle.” This exercise improves overall memory, which means that multiple language speakers are better at remembering lists or sequences. Studies show that bilinguals are better at retaining shopping lists, names, and directions.

You become more perceptive

A study from Spain’s University of Pompeu Fabra revealed that multilingual people are better at observing their surroundings. They are more adept at focusing on relevant information and editing out the irrelevant. They’re also better at spotting misleading information. Is it any surprise that Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot are skilled polyglots?

Your decision-making skills improve

According to a study from the University of Chicago, bilinguals tend to make more rational decisions. Any language contains nuance and subtle implications in its vocabulary, and these biases can subconsciously influence your judgment. Bilinguals are more confident with their choices after thinking it over in the second language and seeing whether their initial conclusions still stand up.

You improve your English

Learning a foreign language draws your focus to the mechanics of language: grammar, conjugations, and sentence structure. This makes you more aware of language, and the ways it can be structured and manipulated. These skills can make you a more effective communicator and a sharper editor and writer. Language speakers also develop a better ear for listening, since they’re skilled at distinguishing meaning from discreet sounds.

外语让你更加聪明：盘点双语学习的七大优势

学外语不仅是丰富你的简历或者方便旅行。学外语会让你更聪明，更果断，甚至让你的母语更棒，语言学作家安妮•梅里特讲到。

生理研究发现能讲两种或以上的语言对于认知过程大有帮助，是一笔莫大的财富。能讲两种语言的人们，其大脑运转方式和只能讲一种语言的人是不同的，这种不同，带来了好些脑力方面的帮助。

以下是学习一门外语的七个认知优势。这其中的很多特质只适用于频繁讲多种语言的人——如果你在达到初级水平之后就再也没讲过这门外语，你的大脑可能还没有抓住这些双语优势。然而，在成人阶段开始语言学习的人们仍然可以达到和年少学生一样的流利程度，也同样可以收获相同的认知优势。

变得更聪明

讲外语会迫使你的大脑去识别、调整语义，并且在不同的语言系统中交流，以此提升大脑的功能。此技能也会帮助你在解决其他问题时懂得调整。

学习外语的学生，和只会讲一种语言的同学相比，更倾向于在标准化考试中取得更好的成绩，尤其是在数学、阅读和词汇这些范畴。

拥有同时执行多项任务的技能

能讲多种语言的人，尤其是小孩子，擅长在两种口语、写作和结构系统中转换。宾州州立大学的一项研究表明，这种“玩戏法”的技能让他们能够很棒地同时执行多项任务，因为他们可以轻易地在不同架构中转换。在一项研究中，参与者在使用模拟驾驶系统的同时做了其他分散注意力的事情。研究发现能讲多种语言的人在这种驾驶过程中更少出错。

延缓老年痴呆或者其他痴呆症

针对这一话题开展过多项研究...

August (Excerpt)八月之美(节选)

Charles Dickens/查尔斯 狄更斯

There is no month in the whole year, in which nature wears a more beautiful appearance than in the month of August.

一年之中，没有任何一个月份的自然风光比得过八月的风采。

Spring has many beauties, and May is a fresh and blooming month, but the charms of this time of year are enhanced by their contrast with the winter season.

春天美不胜收，而五月也是一个明媚清新、繁花似锦的月份，但这些时节的魅力是由于与冬天的对比而增强的。

August has no such advantage.

八月没有这样的优势。

It comes when we remember nothing but clear skies, green fields, and sweet-smelling flowers—when the recollection of snow, and ice, and bleak winds, has faded from our minds as completely as they have disappeared from the earth — and yet what a pleasant time it is!

它来的时候，我们只记得明朗的天空、碧绿的田野，还有芳香四溢的花朵——记忆中的冰雪、刺骨的寒风都已完全从我们的脑海中消逝，就仿佛它们在地球上了无踪迹——然而八月是多么令人惬意的季节啊！

Orchards and cornfields ring with the hum of labours; trees bend beneath the thick clusters of rich fruit which bow their branches to the ground; and the corn, piled in graceful sheaves, or waving in every light breath that sweeps above it, as if it wooed the sickle, tinges the landscape with a golden hue.

果园和麦田到处都充溢着忙碌劳作的声响；串串果实压得果树都弯下了腰，枝条低垂到地面；还有谷穗，有的一捆捆优雅地堆挤在一起，有的迎风招展，仿佛在向镰刀求爱，它们给周围的景致染上了一层金黄的色调

A mellow softness appears to hang over the whole earth; the influence of the season seems to extend itself to the very wagon, whose slow motion across the well-reaped field, is perceptible only to the eye, but strikes with no harsh sound upon the ear.

整个大地似乎笼罩在醇香柔和的气氛中；这秋季的气氛似乎也影响了那些马车，只有眼睛可以察觉到它们穿过收割过的田野缓慢移动，但耳旁却寂静无声。

作者简介：

查尔斯·狄更斯是英国十九世纪伟大的批判现实主义作家，一生创作了大量作品，广泛描写了19世纪英国维多利亚时代的社会生活，揭露了资产阶级金钱世界的种种罪恶。著名作品《双城记》、《雾都孤儿》。

August (Excerpt)八月之美(节选)

Charles Dickens/查尔斯 狄更斯

There is no month in the whole year, in which nature wears a more beautiful appearance than in the month of August.

一年之中，没有任何一个月份的自然风光比得过八月的风采。

Spring has many beauties, and May is a fresh and blooming month, but the charms of this time of year are enhanced by their contrast with the winter season.

春天美不胜收，而五月也是一个明媚清新、繁花似锦的月份，但这些时节的魅力是由于与冬天的对比而增强的。

August has no such advantage.

八月没有这样的优势。

It comes when we remember nothing but clear skies, green fields, and sweet-smelling flowers—when the recollection of snow, and ice, and bleak winds, has faded from our minds as completely as they have disappeared from the earth — and yet what a pleasant time it is!

它来的时候，我们只记得明朗的天空、碧绿的田野，还有芳香四溢的花朵——记忆中的冰雪、刺骨的寒风都已完全从我们的脑海中消逝，就仿佛它们在地球上了无踪迹——然而八月是多么令人惬意的季节啊！

Orchards and cornfields ring with the hum of labours; trees bend beneath the thick clusters of rich fruit which bow their branches to the ground; and the corn, piled in graceful sheaves, or waving in every light breath that sweeps above it, as if it wooed the sickle, tinges the landscape with a golden hue.

果园和麦田到处都充溢着忙碌劳作的声响；串串果实压得果树都弯下了腰，枝条低垂到地面；还有谷穗，有的一捆捆优雅地堆挤在一起，有的迎风招展，仿佛在向镰刀求爱，它们给周围的景致染上了一层金黄的色调

A mellow softness appears to hang over the whole earth; the influence of the season seems to extend itself to the very wagon, whose slow motion across the well-reaped field, is perceptible only to the eye, but strikes with no harsh sound upon the ear.

整个大地似乎笼罩在醇香柔和的气氛中；这秋季的气氛似乎也影响了那些马车，只有眼睛可以察觉到它们穿过收割过的田野缓慢移动，但耳旁却寂静无声。

作者简介：

查尔斯·狄更斯是英国十九世纪伟大的批判现实主义作家，一生创作了大量作品，广泛描写了19世纪英国维多利亚时代的社会生活，揭露了资产阶级金钱世界的种种罪恶。著名作品《双城记》、《雾都孤儿》。

Thinking of You

When will the moon be clear and bright?

With a cup of wine in my hand, I ask the blue sky.

I don't know what season it would be in the heavens on this night.

I'd like to ride the wind to fly home.

Yet I fear the crystal and jade mansions are much too high and cold for me.

Dancing with my moon-lit shadow,

It does not seem like the human world.

The moon rounds the red mansion Stoops to silk-pad doors, Shines upon the sleepless Bearing no grudge,

Why does the moon tend to be full when people are apart? People may have sorrow or joy, be near or far apart,

The moon may be dim or bright, wax or wane,

This has been going on since the beginning of time.

May we all be blessed with longevity Though far apart, we are still able to share the beauty of the moon together.

水调歌头

明月几时有，把酒问青天。

不知天上宫阙，今夕是何年。

我欲乘风归去, 又恐琼楼玉宇，

高处不胜寒，起舞弄清影，何似在人间。

转朱阁，低绮户，照无眠。

不应有恨，何事长向别时圆。

人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺，此事古难全。

但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。

Thinking of You

When will the moon be clear and bright?

With a cup of wine in my hand, I ask the blue sky.

I don't know what season it would be in the heavens on this night.

I'd like to ride the wind to fly home.

Yet I fear the crystal and jade mansions are much too high and cold for me.

Dancing with my moon-lit shadow,

It does not seem like the human world.

The moon rounds the red mansion Stoops to silk-pad doors, Shines upon the sleepless Bearing no grudge,

Why does the moon tend to be full when people are apart? People may have sorrow or joy, be near or far apart,

The moon may be dim or bright, wax or wane,

This has been going on since the beginning of time.

May we all be blessed with longevity Though far apart, we are still able to share the beauty of the moon together.

水调歌头

明月几时有，把酒问青天。

不知天上宫阙，今夕是何年。

我欲乘风归去, 又恐琼楼玉宇，

高处不胜寒，起舞弄清影，何似在人间。

转朱阁，低绮户，照无眠。

不应有恨，何事长向别时圆。

人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺，此事古难全。

但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。

The Road to Success

It is well that young men should begin at the beginning and occupy the most subordinate positions. Many of the leading businessmen of Pittsburgh had a serious responsibility thrust upon them at the very threshold of their career. They were introduced to the broom, and spent the first hours of their business lives sweeping out the office. I notice we have janitors and janitresses now in offices, and our young men unfortunately miss that salutary branch of business education. But if by chance the professional sweeper is absent any morning, the boy who has the genius of the future partner in him will not hesitate to try his hand at the broom. It does not hurt the newest comer to sweep out the office if necessary. I was one of those sweepers myself.

Assuming that you have all obtained employment and are fairly started, my advice to you is “aim high”. I would not give a fig for the young man who does not already see himself the partner or the head of an important firm. Do not rest content for a moment in your thoughts as head clerk, or foreman, or general manager in any concern, no matter how extensive. Say to yourself, “My place is at the top.” Be king in your dreams.

And here is the prime condition of success, the great secret: concentrate your energy, thought, and capital exclusively upon the business in which you are engaged. Having begun in one line, resolve to fight it out on that line, to lead in it, adopt every improvement, have the best machinery, and know the most about it.

The concerns which fail are those which have scattered their capital, which means that they have scattered their brains also. They have investments in this, or that, or the other, here there, and everywhere. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” is all wrong. I tell you to “put all your eggs in one basket, and then watch that basket.” Look round you and take notice, men who do that not often fail. It is easy to watch and carry the one basket. It is trying to carry too many baskets that breaks most eggs in this country. He who carries three baskets must put one on his head, which is apt to tumble and trip him up. One fault of the American businessman is lack of concentration.

To summarize what I have said: aim for the highest; never enter a bar room; do not touch liquor, or if at all only at meals; never speculate; never indorse beyond your surplus cash fund; make the firm’s interest yours; break orders always to save owners; concentrate; put all your eggs in one basket, and watch that basket; expenditure always within revenue; lastly, be not impatient, for as Emerson says, “no one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourselves.”

成功之路

安德鲁.卡耐基

年轻人创业之初，应该从最底层干起，这是件好事。匹兹堡有很多商业巨头，在他们创业之初，都不情愿地肩负过“重任”。他们与扫帚相伴，以打扫办公室的方式度过了他们在商业生涯中最初的日子。我注意到我们现在办公室里都有工友，所以很可惜，年轻人就错过了商业教育中这个有益的环节。如果碰巧哪天上午，专职扫地的工友没有来，某个具有未来合伙人气质的年轻人便会毫不犹豫地试着拿起扫帚。新来的员工在必要时，扫扫地也无妨，你并不会因此而有什么损失。我自己就曾经扫过地......

加入你已经找到工作，并且有了一个良好的开端，我对你的建议就是：要志存高远。一个年轻人，如果不曾把自己想象成是一家大公司未来的老板或是合伙人，那我就会对他不屑一顾。在任何企业，不管它的规模有多大，你的内心都不要满足于做一个首席助理、领班或者总经理。要对自己说：我要迈向顶尖！要做就做你梦想之国里的国王。

成功的首要条件和最大秘诀就是：把你的精力、思想和资本全都集中在你正在从事的事业上。一旦开始从事某种职业，就要下定决心在那一领域闯出一片天地来：不断提高自己，采用最优良的设备，对专业知识熟稔于心。

过于分散自己资本的企业，注定会失败，因为分散资本就意味着分散了他们的精力。他们向这方面投资，又向那方面投资；在这里投资，在那里投资，到处都投资。“不要把所有的鸡蛋放在一个篮子里”的说法其实大错特错。我要对你说：“把所有的鸡蛋都放在一个篮子里，然后小心地看好那个篮子。”看看你周围，你会注意到：这么做的人其实很少失败。提着一个篮子并看好它，并不太难。在我们国家，想同时提很多篮子的人往往打破的鸡蛋最多。提三个篮子的人，必须把一个顶在头上，而这个篮子很可能掉下来，把他自己绊倒。美国商人的一个错误就是没有集中自己的精力。

总结一下，我所说的：要志存高远；不要出入酒吧；要滴酒不沾，要喝也只在用餐时喝少许；不要投机；不要寅吃卯粮；要把公司的利益当作你自己的利益；要专注；把所有的鸡蛋放在一个篮子里，然后小心地看好它；要量入为出；最后一点，要有耐心，就像艾默生所言：“除了你自己没人能真正阻止你成功。”

The Road to Success

It is well that young men should begin at the beginning and occupy the most subordinate positions. Many of the leading businessmen of Pittsburgh had a serious responsibility thrust upon them at the very threshold of their career. They were introduced to the broom, and spent the first hours of their business lives sweeping out the office. I notice we have janitors and janitresses now in offices, and our young men unfortunately miss that salutary branch of business education. But if by chance the professional sweeper is absent any morning, the boy who has the genius of the future partner in him will not hesitate to try his hand at the broom. It does not hurt the newest comer to sweep out the office if necessary. I was one of those sweepers myself.

Assuming that you have all obtained employment and are fairly started, my advice to you is “aim high”. I would not give a fig for the young man who does not already see himself the partner or the head of an important firm. Do not rest content for a moment in your thoughts as head clerk, or foreman, or general manager in any concern, no matter how extensive. Say to yourself, “My place is at the top.” Be king in your dreams.

And here is the prime condition of success, the great secret: concentrate your energy, thought, and capital exclusively upon the business in which you are engaged. Having begun in one line, resolve to fight it out on that line, to lead in it, adopt every improvement, have the best machinery, and know the most about it.

The concerns which fail are those which have scattered their capital, which means that they have scattered their brains also. They have investments in this, or that, or the other, here there, and everywhere. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” is all wrong. I tell you to “put all your eggs in one basket, and then watch that basket.” Look round you and take notice, men who do that not often fail. It is easy to watch and carry the one basket. It is trying to carry too many baskets that breaks most eggs in this country. He who carries three baskets must put one on his head, which is apt to tumble and trip him up. One fault of the American businessman is lack of concentration.

To summarize what I have said: aim for the highest; never enter a bar room; do not touch liquor, or if at all only at meals; never speculate; never indorse beyond your surplus cash fund; make the firm’s interest yours; break orders always to save owners; concentrate; put all your eggs in one basket, and watch that basket; expenditure always within revenue; lastly, be not impatient, for as Emerson says, “no one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourselves.”

成功之路

安德鲁.卡耐基

年轻人创业之初，应该从最底层干起，这是件好事。匹兹堡有很多商业巨头，在他们创业之初，都不情愿地肩负过“重任”。他们与扫帚相伴，以打扫办公室的方式度过了他们在商业生涯中最初的日子。我注意到我们现在办公室里都有工友，所以很可惜，年轻人就错过了商业教育中这个有益的环节。如果碰巧哪天上午，专职扫地的工友没有来，某个具有未来合伙人气质的年轻人便会毫不犹豫地试着拿起扫帚。新来的员工在必要时，扫扫地也无妨，你并不会因此而有什么损失。我自己就曾经扫过地......

加入你已经找到工作，并且有了一个良好的开端，我对你的建议就是：要志存高远。一个年轻人，如果不曾把自己想象成是一家大公司未来的老板或是合伙人，那我就会对他不屑一顾。在任何企业，不管它的规模有多大，你的内心都不要满足于做一个首席助理、领班或者总经理。要对自己说：我要迈向顶尖！要做就做你梦想之国里的国王。

成功的首要条件和最大秘诀就是：把你的精力、思想和资本全都集中在你正在从事的事业上。一旦开始从事某种职业，就要下定决心在那一领域闯出一片天地来：不断提高自己，采用最优良的设备，对专业知识熟稔于心。

过于分散自己资本的企业，注定会失败，因为分散资本就意味着分散了他们的精力。他们向这方面投资，又向那方面投资；在这里投资，在那里投资，到处都投资。“不要把所有的鸡蛋放在一个篮子里”的说法其实大错特错。我要对你说：“把所有的鸡蛋都放在一个篮子里，然后小心地看好那个篮子。”看看你周围，你会注意到：这么做的人其实很少失败。提着一个篮子并看好它，并不太难。在我们国家，想同时提很多篮子的人往往打破的鸡蛋最多。提三个篮子的人，必须把一个顶在头上，而这个篮子很可能掉下来，把他自己绊倒。美国商人的一个错误就是没有集中自己的精力。

总结一下，我所说的：要志存高远；不要出入酒吧；要滴酒不沾，要喝也只在用餐时喝少许；不要投机；不要寅吃卯粮；要把公司的利益当作你自己的利益；要专注；把所有的鸡蛋放在一个篮子里，然后小心地看好它；要量入为出；最后一点，要有耐心，就像艾默生所言：“除了你自己没人能真正阻止你成功。”

《在洁白处等梅绽开 》

（文//灵泉）

梅是昂着头走来的，远远的望去，梅迈动的步伐那么有劲，每一步都在娴熟的往上攒，梅整个身子都在向上攒，很有节奏的上下。梅走来的的那一瞬间，微笑的空气，微笑的时空。我感觉我们的命运都在开始解冻，开始走向春天。是的，梅走过的任何一寸都开始阳春。梅穿着黑色的棉大衣，围着青春的围巾，亮亮的镜片下，是微笑的眼神。我们是赴前世之约，丝毫没有半点瑕疵的意念。我以为我是在一直等候梅，我所有的岁月都是一直为梅守候。

人生的终极是什么？看到梅的那一刻开始，我会毫无疑问告诉世人那是洁白。人生最大的成功就是洁白。干干净净的来，也要干干净净的活。我知道梅只有在雪白的时空中，才叫梅。只有在雪白的世界里，梅才会傲然绽开。梅的命运属于洁白。梅的开始是洁白，梅的结果也是洁白。梅的出现，改写我的人生。梅开始成为我的灵魂，成为我生命中最重要的元素。我在洁白处，等梅绽开。我的梅骨子中都是饱满的香味，梅熏香四野。

梅和我一起漫步，漫步到公园的小山脚下，寒冬腊月，我们走在一起，暖洋洋的。梅穿着中跟的皮鞋，晚上登山，我担心梅崴脚。我说我背您上山吧，梅说，我重，别累着。我第一次背梅爬山，梅不好意思，我硬是把她背到山顶上。我说我背梅多少步，梅就爱我多少年，我数数是一百步。以至于我每一次问梅，姐，您这辈子属于我。梅说，一百辈子都属于，一万辈子都是。 我活在空白之中，是一纸空白。我仿佛刚刚生下来一样，世事都是那样的新鲜和陌生。我仿佛穿越遥远的时空，走进梅的生活，进入梅的灵魂。一个很单纯的孩子，活在梅的身边，是多么的幸运，多么的幸福。上苍对我是多么的眷顾，让梅来关照我，让一颗善良的灵魂来润泽一个孤独的心灵，我是世界上最幸福的人了。 梅说，赶集的时候，不要和卖菜的讲价钱，那些人最不容易。 梅说，小时候过年的故事，爸爸分给孩子们一把糖果，梅是咬下糖果的一角，剩下的包好放到口袋里。外边的雪好大好白，包好的饺子都放到屋外冷冻。

梅说，家里来客人的时候，要做好吃的招待。小孩子是不能上桌子的，都不能到屋里，其实也没有一个孩子敢去。爸爸用筷子挑拣奶奶喜欢吃的，放到一个碗里先端到奶奶的炕头。 梅说，吃年夜饭的时候，爸爸给每个孩子的碗里都分到块肉，梅是等到碗里的饭都吃光了，才最后吃那块肉。 梅的故事很多很多，说的最多的就是她对工作，从来不含糊。梅说，晚上打点滴，白天照样工作。 所有的水果，梅就欢喜吃苹果，喜欢酸酸的味道。家里买来了水果，梅是想不到吃的。她总是说，麻烦。等苹果烂的时候，她下班回到家，就开始蹲在阳台削那些破烂的苹果了，她说不能浪费，吃了不疼扔了心疼。 第二天剩下的饭，是梅吃的。 梅在外边再烦恼，回家也是微笑。 梅微笑的时候，我发觉天空很高远，世界很亮丽。 梅微笑的时候，周围的空气都是微笑的。

梅从来没有恶口，从来没有抱怨，从来没有推卸。 梅是洁白的。梅不仅仅是在生活，梅是在修心。梅把人生视为修行。 梅的心也是洁白的，梅的眼里全是好人。大家都不容易，多想想别人的难处，凡事都要站到对方的心境去想，什么烦恼也没有了，梅常常这样告诫我。 我在梅的生命中何等的重要，梅是我生命中最重要的亲人。洁白和洁白是灵魂的相通，清澈和清澈从来没有顾忌，从来没有间隙。 和梅在一起，我知道了眷恋的味道。和梅在一起，我们用灵魂对话。只一眼，我就感知到梅的温柔，梅的善良，梅的高洁。只一眼，就把我的灵魂带走。 我在洁白处等梅，用您梅的洁白来沐浴身心。在洁白处，等梅绽开。

《在洁白处等梅绽开 》

（文//灵泉）

梅是昂着头走来的，远远的望去，梅迈动的步伐那么有劲，每一步都在娴熟的往上攒，梅整个身子都在向上攒，很有节奏的上下。梅走来的的那一瞬间，微笑的空气，微笑的时空。我感觉我们的命运都在开始解冻，开始走向春天。是的，梅走过的任何一寸都开始阳春。梅穿着黑色的棉大衣，围着青春的围巾，亮亮的镜片下，是微笑的眼神。我们是赴前世之约，丝毫没有半点瑕疵的意念。我以为我是在一直等候梅，我所有的岁月都是一直为梅守候。

人生的终极是什么？看到梅的那一刻开始，我会毫无疑问告诉世人那是洁白。人生最大的成功就是洁白。干干净净的来，也要干干净净的活。我知道梅只有在雪白的时空中，才叫梅。只有在雪白的世界里，梅才会傲然绽开。梅的命运属于洁白。梅的开始是洁白，梅的结果也是洁白。梅的出现，改写我的人生。梅开始成为我的灵魂，成为我生命中最重要的元素。我在洁白处，等梅绽开。我的梅骨子中都是饱满的香味，梅熏香四野。

梅和我一起漫步，漫步到公园的小山脚下，寒冬腊月，我们走在一起，暖洋洋的。梅穿着中跟的皮鞋，晚上登山，我担心梅崴脚。我说我背您上山吧，梅说，我重，别累着。我第一次背梅爬山，梅不好意思，我硬是把她背到山顶上。我说我背梅多少步，梅就爱我多少年，我数数是一百步。以至于我每一次问梅，姐，您这辈子属于我。梅说，一百辈子都属于，一万辈子都是。 我活在空白之中，是一纸空白。我仿佛刚刚生下来一样，世事都是那样的新鲜和陌生。我仿佛穿越遥远的时空，走进梅的生活，进入梅的灵魂。一个很单纯的孩子，活在梅的身边，是多么的幸运，多么的幸福。上苍对我是多么的眷顾，让梅来关照我，让一颗善良的灵魂来润泽一个孤独的心灵，我是世界上最幸福的人了。 梅说，赶集的时候，不要和卖菜的讲价钱，那些人最不容易。 梅说，小时候过年的故事，爸爸分给孩子们一把糖果，梅是咬下糖果的一角，剩下的包好放到口袋里。外边的雪好大好白，包好的饺子都放到屋外冷冻。

梅说，家里来客人的时候，要做好吃的招待。小孩子是不能上桌子的，都不能到屋里，其实也没有一个孩子敢去。爸爸用筷子挑拣奶奶喜欢吃的，放到一个碗里先端到奶奶的炕头。 梅说，吃年夜饭的时候，爸爸给每个孩子的碗里都分到块肉，梅是等到碗里的饭都吃光了，才最后吃那块肉。 梅的故事很多很多，说的最多的就是她对工作，从来不含糊。梅说，晚上打点滴，白天照样工作。 所有的水果，梅就欢喜吃苹果，喜欢酸酸的味道。家里买来了水果，梅是想不到吃的。她总是说，麻烦。等苹果烂的时候，她下班回到家，就开始蹲在阳台削那些破烂的苹果了，她说不能浪费，吃了不疼扔了心疼。 第二天剩下的饭，是梅吃的。 梅在外边再烦恼，回家也是微笑。 梅微笑的时候，我发觉天空很高远，世界很亮丽。 梅微笑的时候，周围的空气都是微笑的。

梅从来没有恶口，从来没有抱怨，从来没有推卸。 梅是洁白的。梅不仅仅是在生活，梅是在修心。梅把人生视为修行。 梅的心也是洁白的，梅的眼里全是好人。大家都不容易，多想想别人的难处，凡事都要站到对方的心境去想，什么烦恼也没有了，梅常常这样告诫我。 我在梅的生命中何等的重要，梅是我生命中最重要的亲人。洁白和洁白是灵魂的相通，清澈和清澈从来没有顾忌，从来没有间隙。 和梅在一起，我知道了眷恋的味道。和梅在一起，我们用灵魂对话。只一眼，我就感知到梅的温柔，梅的善良，梅的高洁。只一眼，就把我的灵魂带走。 我在洁白处等梅，用您梅的洁白来沐浴身心。在洁白处，等梅绽开。

The Business Dressing Code

There is an age –old saying" man is judged by the boots he wear". But is it only the boots? Well if you ask the corporate world, then boots are not enough. The employee has to be "presentable" and should dress "right". The dressing protocol is not limited to any single industry but has spread its wings all over. Different sectors have different set of rules for their employees to dress. The reasons given for the same may be ranging from culture, atmosphere to ethics. So what is the right dressing code?

It is true that the dressing style vary according to the industry to reflect the culture and work ethics of the workplace. Since the atmosphere within certain business communities, for e.g. an ad agency tends to be informal, the attire of the employees reflects this outlook. On the other hand, protocol of corporate dressing in sectors such as hospitality, IT, banking etc, is more conservative as it reflects directly on employee professionalism.

Mind it that the attire of an employee of a particular industry speaks volume about the company's work ethic, image and culture. It adds an impression of professionalism, intelligence and commitment that enhances the overall credibility of the company. Similarly, non –adherence to a dress code can send out a message of discredit and incompetence.

But now, many organizations have now realized the fact that younger employee of today is more fashion conscious and experiment a lot with style even with his formal wears. The companies are also waking up to this fact and are flooding the market with formal yet fashionable attire.

Remember that dressing perfectly to work everyday today is important for the complete look and feel for the employees and the organization. So, next time you buy that business shirt, make sure that it fits your office culture and gives you a dressed to kill outlook.