Article: Changing a behavior you have built up overtime takes a lot of time and persistence. Remember that change is a process that is not always linear. Don't be afraid to go back to the beginning and re-assess your behavior. At the same time, don't be hard on yourself if you find yourself unsuccessful on your first attempt. The more you practice and work through your passive aggressive tendencies, the more likely you are to successfully change your behavior. If you find yourself getting off track in your attempts to change passive-aggressive behavior, take a moment to pause and reflect on what is happening. If you want to stop acting passive aggressive, you may be wondering what your other options are. A healthier form of communication is known as “assertive” communication. Assertive communication is a healthy, respectful way to address and confront the person or situation that is causing you to become angry.  It involves speaking your mind when you are angry but maintaining respect for the other people around you. Part of assertive communication is acknowledging that your needs as well as the needs of the other person (or people) involved are important. This takes the focus off of you and shows that you are appreciative of the needs of others. Using “please” and “thank you” can go a long way towards seeming respectful of another. Treat the other party with respect, acknowledging that they have a side to the story as well. Remember to think of any actions you would like the other party to take as requests, not demands.  This will help you word your request appropriately.  It is important that you are specific and that you do your best to stick to the actual facts. While you do want to provide factual information, it is okay to include the way that you feel when you are expressing your anger.  You can emphasize words like “I feel like” or “it makes me feel,” which may help prevent the other party from becoming defensive. Ideally, you and the party to whom you are expressing your feelings can collaborate on a solution to the problem that is making you angry.  Unfortunately, you cannot control the actions of others, and you may need to seek a solution on your own. For example, you and your neighbor may brainstorm ways to keep the dog in check, such as keeping him on a leash or in a fence.  If, however, the neighbor refuses to cooperate, you might have to come up with a solution on your own, such as fencing in your own yard. Communication is just as much about listening and reading unspoken messages as it is about speaking openly and directly. Consider what the other person is saying or not saying in response to your own words or actions.  Remember that conversations are 2-sided and that you are speaking with another human who also has thoughts and feelings. Disagreements are not uncommon. Some of the confrontations you encounter may not be conflicts but rather misunderstandings. You usually are not in any danger if you can defuse your anger and make your discussions constructive and positive. It's possible to agreeably disagree and be able to work out compromises that bring "win-win" results to both parties involved. In this way, you are taking control instead of allowing passive aggressive behavior to send issues out of control.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Give yourself time to change. Learn about assertive communication. Emphasize that both parties' needs are important. Use respect when communicating. Be clear and specific with requests. Express your feelings. Seek a solution to the problem. Listen and observe. Accept that conflicts are okay.
Article: For solid vinyl tiles (VCT, or vinyl composition tiles), place each one flat, perfectly aligned with the row, and snugly abutting the previous tile. Do not slide the tiles when laying them, as this will "drag" the adhesive.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Lay the vinyl.
Article: Liquids help flush out the substances that cause kidney stones to form. Water is your best choice. It flushes out kidneys without adding any extra elements such as sugar, sodium, or other ingredients found in other drinks. Drink at least ten 8 ounce glasses of water daily. Avoid caffeinated beverages (and other diuretics) because they dry you out rather than hydrate you. You should have two or more quarts of urine per day, and it should be a light, barely yellow color. One of the main causes of kidney stones is concentrated urine. Salt can dehydrate you, helping to create concentrated urine. If you do eat salt, you need to counteract its effects by drinking a big glass of water afterward. Animal proteins can cause concentrated urine, one of the risk factors for kidney stones. Waste from the proteins gets into the urine and can increase the possibility of forming kidney stones. Some research indicates that insoluble fiber combines with calcium in urine and is excreted in stools. This helps decrease the amount of calcium left in the urine. Good sources of fiber include:  Whole grains like oatmeal, bran, or quinoa Prunes and prune juice  Leafy greens like spinach, chard, or kale The best way to deal with your diet is to consume both calcium and oxalate at the same meal. This way the calcium and oxalate can bind together in your stomach, rather than waiting until your kidney begins to process it and possibly convert it into a kidney stone.  Spinach, chocolate, beets, and rhubarb all are high in oxalate. Beans, green peppers, tea, and peanuts also contain oxalate. Milk, cheese, calcium enriched orange juice, and yogurt are all good forms of calcium that you can combine with foods high in oxalate.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Drink more liquids. Avoid salt. Eat less meat. Consume more fiber. Be careful of your intake of oxalate if you have experienced calcium oxalate stones.