Kathy McWilliams

Japanese Children Win at the Starting Line

Japan has always led the way with its unique approach to education. Their traditions are embedded in their education system so that Japanese children inherit a solid foundation of virtue and morality, along with academic knowledge. China, on the other hand, has been focussing more on a child winning than being virtuous. China’s education system ...

Kathy McWilliams

Japanese school children.

12 Essential Skills Every Child Should Learn

Children’s grades at school will never be as important as learning such essential skills as how to be grateful and how to behave themselves. A Chinese proverb says: “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” So it’s better ...

Kathy McWilliams

A smiling boy with brown hair and brown eyes.

A Little Girl’s Miracle Saved Her Little Brother

Nancy was eight years old when she learned her little brother Tom was dying. He had a brain tumor and it was very hard on the family to watch him wilt like a flower day by day. Nancy’s parents sold their home and assets, borrowed money, and moved into a small apartment, and they still ...

Kathy McWilliams

Givl in a red knit hat and jacket gives her little brother a hug.

Red Dates: 6 Wonderful Health Benefits

Red dates, also known as jujubes, support healthy spleen functioning. As the saying goes: “Three jujubes a day and even a centenarian looks young.” They have been used in many Chinese medicine formulations for centuries. The fruit is sweet to the taste and warm in nature. As well as nourishing the skin and having anti-aging ...

Kathy McWilliams

Red dates sitting on a table with flowers and plants in the background.

Bumping the Back Stimulates Acupuncture Points

There are major energy pathways, or meridians, located along the back that can be stimulated by bumping the back. There are also extensive nerve systems and acupuncture points located along and on either side of the spine that are connected to all four limbs and many internal organs. The Du Meridian, located in the middle of the back, is ...

Kathy McWilliams

Partial close-up of a male acupuncture doll.

Do You Know These 7 Tips to Save Money?

Some people like to flaunt their wealth, but wealthy people remain cautious spenders with surprisingly frugal habits. The overall concept is that if you want to save money, then don’t spend money unnecessarily. Here are 7 tips to save money that you can learn from the rich. See if you can use them too! 7 ...

Kathy McWilliams

Gold and silver bars and coins.

Family Ties: Everlasting Relationship of a Sister and Brother

If there is one everlasting relationship in this world, it is the relationship I have with my younger brother. We grew up on a farm in a remote village. One time, I stole 50 cents from my Dad’s drawer to buy a flowery handkerchief. My father realized the money was missing on the same day. So ...

Kathy McWilliams

A sister hugging her brother.

9 of China’s Most Spectacular Villages

Frequent visitors to China find themselves blown away by this country, ranging from high-desert monasteries to pristine lakes nestled among Himalayan peaks. First-time China visitors and seasoned travelers alike will enjoy this list of China’s most spectacular villages that transports you to places you might never otherwise have found. 9 of China’s most spectacular villages 1. The stone ...

Kathy McWilliams

The stone village in Yunnan Province.

15 Quotes From the ‘Twenty-Four Histories’ of China

Twenty-Four Histories, which is also known as the Standard Histories (zhengshi 正史), is a collection of Chinese official historical books that covers more than 2,000 years to the Ming Dynasty in the 17th century. Sima Qian, who was a Han Dynasty official, established many of the conventions of the genre, but the form was not set until much later. It all started with the ...

Kathy McWilliams

The 'Ttwenty-Four Histories' in Chinese.'

10 Advantages to Practicing Chinese Calligraphy

Chinese calligraphy is a unique part of traditional culture. But nowadays, we have developed network communication tools, and we seldom write Chinese, not to mention practice calligraphy. Chinese calligraphy, however, is one of the fundamental ways of self-cultivation. Advantages you can gain from practicing calligraphy 1. It nurtures your spirit In the Yellow Emperor, an ancient Chinese medical ...

Kathy McWilliams

Several calligraphy brushes sit on a table next to bowls of ink and paper.