There is nothing quite like the feeling of knowing that you’ve done something really nice for someone else, even if that person doesn’t know you’ve done it. If you think of those things that feel the best to you, I would guess that you’ll agree that giving to others is at or near the top of your list.
One of my personal role models, or heroes, is Mother Teresa, a leader who was known during her lifetime as a teacher of peace and love. She once said, “We cannot do great things on this earth. We can only do small things with great love.” What she meant was that we don’t have to change the whole world with the things we do; but we can often do small things to help others. When asked the question, “What can someone do to become happier?” she said, “Do something nice for someone else.” You’ll find that when you’re nice, the world will seem good. When you’re kind and help others, the world will return the favor to you.
The small things you do can be nearly anything — a friendly act of sharing, for example. One day, my youngest daughter had forgotten to take her lunch to school. A classmate of hers, whom she hardly even knew, offered to share a big ripe pear with her. That simple act delighted my daughter so much that she was full of joy all day after realizing that “someone would be so nice”.
I once had a chat with a group of young people in Alabama. I asked them to share with me some of the ways they had expressed giving.
Several said that it was fun and convenient to help someone with homework, or teach something, or help a person with a problem — all good, practical ideas. In addition, the act of giving made these young people feel good. One student was trying to get everyone in her class to give one dollar, and together they would help buy a cow for a poor family in another country. Can you imagine what would happen if every school had noble ideas like this one? The whole world would be better and would have less suffering.
Sometimes, apologizing for something you’ve done, or forgiving someone else, or refusing to get angry are all small acts of love, something you’ll feel good about. At times, saying hello or simply smiling at someone can be enough. You can also be giving by helping someone who is lost to find his or her way — or by greeting someone new to your school, or doing any of thousands of other little things.
The point is, whenever you give to others, and however you choose to give, you’ll notice that your stress will be reduced and you’ll have more pride in yourself and feel better about the world. As you become more giving, you’ll become happier as well. Spend some time thinking about ways you can be even more giving to others; it will be well worth it.
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The More You Give, the Happier You Become 课文讲解
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