“I set out to write a book about what to do to make a great work of art. Instead, it revealed itself to be a book on how to be.” —Rick Rubin

Duolingo is an app and website designed to help people learn languages in a simple and engaging way. It’s free to use, though there are paid options that remove ads and offer extra features. The lessons are short and interactive, with exercises that involve matching words, listening to sentences, speaking, and translating. A green owl named Duo acts as the app’s mascot—offering encouragement when you stay on track and reminders when you don’t. The platform offers a wide range of languages, from widely spoken ones like Spanish, French, and Chinese to less common choices like Welsh, Hawaiian, and even fictional languages like Klingon and High Valyrian. Lessons focus on practical, everyday communication—like ordering food or asking for directions—though you’ll occasionally encounter quirky sentences that are memorable in their oddness. Duolingo adapts to your progress: if you’re struggling, it slows down; if you’re doing well, it introduces more challenging material. There are game-like features—points, streaks, and levels—that keep learning motivating and fun. For those looking to go beyond basic lessons, Duolingo also offers podcasts, stories, and interactive exercises to improve listening and reading comprehension. Convenient and easy to use, Duolingo fits into almost any schedule—you can practice on the bus, during a lunch break, or before bed. While it’s not a complete substitute for full immersion or in-depth study, it’s a useful tool for beginners and a good way to keep language skills fresh.

This was my go-to page at the early stages of learning Mandarin. Chinese Grammar Wiki has an articles of each of the main aspects of Chinese grammar. For example, there are articles on how to use 一下, 在, 要, 就是, 才and many other Mandarin grammar points. Each word gets its own article with examples in pinyin and characters and, of course, English translations. You can also get website as a physical book or an ebook.

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is a memoir by Haruki Murakami where he talks about two things that define a big part of his life: running and writing. Murakami didn’t always plan on being a novelist. He was running a jazz bar in his twenties when, while watching a baseball game, he suddenly thought, “I could write a novel.” He gave it a shot, it worked out, and he eventually sold his bar to focus on writing full-time. But sitting at a desk all day, smoking and not moving much, wasn’t doing his health any good. That’s when he picked up running. For Murakami, running is more than just exercise—it’s part of his routine and, in a way, a metaphor for writing. Both take endurance. Both are long hauls where you push yourself day after day, even when you don’t feel like it. The book follows him as he trains for marathons, competes in triathlons, and grapples with the slow decline of his physical abilities as he ages. He talks a lot about acceptance—accepting getting older, accepting bad race times, and accepting that sometimes you just don’t do as well as you hoped. His attitude is basically: That’s life. You move on. The writing style is straightforward, like he’s just talking to you over a coffee. He doesn’t dress things up. Sometimes he rambles, mentioning things like cycling habits or going off on tangents about global warming. At one point, he describes running the original marathon route in Greece—sun blazing, salt stinging his eyes, everything uncomfortable. But through it all, there’s this calm acceptance. He’s not trying to convince anyone to run; he just shares what it means to him. By the end, what sticks isn’t just the running or the writing, but the way he embraces both the highs and the lows—the post-race blues, the joy of finishing, and the satisfaction of something as simple as a cold beer after a long run. It’s a book about effort, routine, and learning to keep going, no matter what.

Remusic provides an easy-to-use platform for musicians and creators at any level. With our one-click music generation, you can quickly create custom tracks that fit your artistic vision, no extensive music knowledge required. The unique AI Singer feature lets you choose from over 1000 vocalists, each adding their own style to your songs, making every version feel fresh and unique. Plus, our music video generator turns your text and images into beautiful visual stories that enhance your music. Our vocal extraction tool allows you to isolate and edit vocals, perfect for remixing or making mashups. Finally, converting your music into traditional sheet music makes it simple to share your work with other musicians, promoting collaboration and creativity within the community.

Drops is a language learning app that focuses on teaching vocabulary through quick, visual-based games. The idea is to make learning feel more like playing, with short sessions you can fit into your day. Instead of grammar-heavy lessons, it leans on matching words with pictures, swiping, and tapping to help words stick in your memory. The app covers over 40 languages, from common ones like Spanish and French to less common ones like Hawaiian and Ainu. You get common, everyday words and phrases to start with—things you’d actually use in conversation. It’s built for people who want to learn at their own pace, and there are features like reminders and streaks to keep you coming back. Drops keeps lessons short—usually five minutes—so it’s easy to squeeze in some learning while waiting for coffee or riding the train. There’s a free version with ads and limits on daily use, or you can pay for Premium to get rid of ads, unlock all content, and use it offline. Overall, it’s not going to teach you complex grammar or how to hold a full conversation right away, but if you’re looking to build your vocabulary in a fun, no-pressure way, it does the job.

Learning a new language is hard, you need a lot of repeated exposure to the same words to make them stick. Here's the trick I use. I open ThaiPod101's live channel and let it run in the background while I do something else. For example, I can have it open while cooking dinner or tidying up. Even if I look at the screen only occasionally, I still get the benefits of being repeatedly exposed to Thai vocabulary. This works particularly well in combination with other learning methods. If you have a smart TV or a Chromecast, you can even play it on your TV instead of regular TV channels. The channel runs 24/7 and replays ThaiPod101 lessons.

Italki is a platform connecting language teachers, mostly native speakers, with students. You can book, pay, and schedule your classes directly through their website. The classes are one on one, just you and the teacher, and conducted over a video call. I used Italki successfully before going to Thailand for the first time. My wife who is Thai gave me an Italki gift card. There are plenty of teachers to chose from and the rates are affordable. You'll pay anywhere from $10 to about $20 for a class.

Discover the secrets to a long, healthy, and fulfilling life with "Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life" by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles. This insightful book delves into the Japanese concept of ikigai, or a "reason for being," which is believed to be a key factor in the remarkable longevity of the residents of Okinawa, a Japanese village known for having the world’s highest percentage of centenarians. Through interviews with these vibrant centenarians, the authors uncover how the principles of ikigai—where passion, mission, vocation, and profession intersect—contribute to their happiness and longevity. The book reveals the residents' daily practices, from their nutrient-rich diets and active lifestyles to their strong community bonds and purposeful work. "Ikigai" provides practical advice and tools to help readers discover their own ikigai, offering a blend of cultural wisdom and actionable steps towards a life filled with purpose, health, and joy. This book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in enhancing their well-being and finding deeper satisfaction in everyday life.

Even the smartest among us can feel inept as we fail to figure out which light switch or oven burner to turn on, or whether to push, pull, or slide a door. The fault, argues this ingenious -- even liberating -- book, lies not in ourselves, but in product design that ignores the needs of users and the principles of cognitive psychology. The problems range from ambiguous and hidden controls to arbitrary relationships between controls and functions, coupled with a lack of feedback or other assistance and unreasonable demands on memorization. The Design of Everyday Things shows that good, usable design is possible. The rules are simple: make things visible, exploit natural relationships that couple function and control, and make intelligent use of constraints. The goal: guide the user effortlessly to the right action on the right control at the right time. The Design of Everyday Things is a powerful primer on how -- and why -- some products satisfy customers while others only frustrate them.

The Brand Gap is the first book to present a unified theory of brand-building. Whereas most books on branding are weighted toward either a strategic or creative approach, this book shows how both ways of thinking can unite to produce a “charismatic brand”―a brand that customers feel is essential to their lives. In an entertaining two-hour read you’ll learn: • the new definition of brand • the five essential disciplines of brand-building • how branding is changing the dynamics of competition • the three most powerful questions to ask about any brand • why collaboration is the key to brand-building • how design determines a customer’s experience • how to test brand concepts quickly and cheaply • the importance of managing brands from the inside • 220-word brand glossary

Song Finder: Your Ultimate Browser Music Identification Companion Ever wondered about that catchy tune playing in a video or streaming site? Song Finder is here to solve your music mysteries! Our powerful Chrome extension lets you identify any song playing in your browser with just one click. 🎵 Key Features: Instant Recognition: Click once to identify songs playing in any tab. Accurate Results: Powered by advanced audio fingerprinting technology. Detailed Information: Get artist, title, genre, label, and release date. Song Analyzer Integration: Dive deeper into song details with our online analyzer. Works Everywhere: Compatible with streaming sites, video platforms, and more. Privacy-Focused: No permanent audio storage or recording. 🚀 How It Works: Play any audio in your Chrome browser. Click the Song Finder icon. Wait a few seconds as we analyze the audio. Get instant results with comprehensive song details. Perfect for music enthusiasts, playlist curators, and anyone curious about the songs they encounter online. Expand your music knowledge and discover new artists effortlessly! 🎧 Use Cases: Identify background music in videos Discover tracks in live streams or podcasts Find the name of that song stuck in your head Build your playlist with newly discovered music 💡 Pro Tip: Use Song Finder in combination with your favorite music streaming service to quickly add identified songs to your playlists! Note: This extension requires tab audio access to function. We respect your privacy and do not store any audio data. Download Song Finder now and transform your browsing experience into a musical adventure!

The video highlights the overriding importance of storytelling in achieving YouTube success. It suggests that beginners keep their focus on producing content that connects and resonates with the audience, using even the most basic equipment to convey their stories effectively. The narrative also emphasizes the role of digital marketing in understanding and reaching the target audience, advising on patience and the gradual upgrading of equipment corresponding to the creator’s growth and learning curve. The Minimalist’s Guide to YouTube Success: Storytelling Over Gear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW-Vdif2mWE

Learn the essentials of creating and running a blog on the user-friendly platform systeme.io, as I highlight its free options, contrasting them with ClickFunnels’ steep pricing. The video serves not just as a technical guide but also as a motivational tool, with discussions on the ethical implications of business models in digital marketing. I share personal experiences and challenges faced during my own startup phase, making the session relatable and enriched with real-life applicability. Systeme.io’s Blogging Platform: How It Supports Aspiring Entrepreneurs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdyVXU_0G-0

In an engaging YouTube tutorial, the speaker presents a case study of their online coaching experience, emphasizing the "15-day business builder challenge" offered by legendary mocker. Initially skeptical about its low cost, the creator elaborates on how the product surpasses expectations, providing substantial value and catalyzing an expectation shift among users. The video further discusses the broader implications of setting price points in digital marketing, suggesting that a modest investment can lead to significant educational empowerment and reduced refund demands. The presentation concludes by inviting viewers to try the challenge themselves via a provided link and to subscribe for more insightful content. The Little Investment That Could: How $7 Opens Doors in Online Business: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0tD-jGQ6O4

Throughout the narrative, I focus on the strategic use of backlinks, which are critical in enhancing online exposure and driving traffic. By observing a standout link on a successful marketer's site, I set out to understand and perhaps replicate his strategy. The potential for building a service dedicated to generating quality backlinks for new YouTube channels is discussed, emphasizing the practical steps I plan to take to support other content creators in gaining traction online. Tailored Digital Marketing Training for Aspiring Affiliate Marketers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdRooDfRvPk

A directory of writer tools, including AI-generators, AI-detectors, and plagiarism scoring systems. Our curated collection highlights the most popular writing tools, ranked according to user satisfaction and effectiveness. We've categorized these tools into four main segments: AI Writing Assistants & Generators, Plagiarism Checkers & AI Detectors, Copywriting Tools & Content Generators, and Book Writing & Creative Writing Tools. Each section is designed to help you find the right stack for your specific writing and copywriting needs.

Breathworx is an on-demand breathwork service designed for stress relief, decision clarity, and a happier mood, with guaranteed results in a single session—even for those who “can’t meditate.” Folks who’ve tried it say they: Feel less “in their head” generally Feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and clarity Feel more confident, calm, & authentic in social situations Get clearer answers in big decision making Relieve stress, anxiety, heartbreak, loss, and depression Have more reliable stress coping mechanisms Release the “emotional gunk” that builds in them Feel more grounded and in touch with their bodies Are less reactive in difficult situations The classes primarily use guided meditations and Circular Breathwork, a simple technique involving 2 breaths in (belly, then chest) and 1 breath out, all through the mouth. Also known as 2-part breathwork, holotropic breathwork, or triangle breathing, this method yields transformative results in a short amount of time. Breathworx offers both full-length 40-60 minute sessions and shorter 10-20 minute versions, accessible on any browser or device, anytime. Whether you use this "cheat code" once a week, once a month, or daily during particularly hard times, it's all up to you. Many people find that even a single class is worth more than years of therapy, where one session can cost more than a yearly Breathworx membership. In fact, if you take just one full class a year, you’ll likely value the benefits beyond the yearly subscription price. Most in-person classes have about 30 minutes of breathing wrapped in some meditation or gratitude practice, making for about 45 minutes total. Breathworx offers similar formats, as well as shorter versions, ensuring there's a session that fits your schedule and needs. Whether you're looking to relieve stress, gain clarity, or simply add a powerful tool to your wellness toolkit, Breathworx is designed to be as transformational, enjoyable, and meaningful as possible.

Are birds free from the chains of the skyway?

May your wishes all come true May you always do for others And let others do for you May you build a ladder to the stars And climb on every rung May you stay forever young Forever young, forever young May you stay forever young. May you grow up to be righteous May you grow up to be true May you always know the truth And see the light surrounding you May you always be courageous Stand upright and be strong May you stay forever young Forever young, forever young May you stay forever young. May your hands always be busy May your feet always be swift May you have a strong foundation When the winds of changes shift May your heart always be joyful And may your song always be sung May you stay forever young Forever young, forever young May you stay forever young.