Happiness begins from appreciation

    If you are feeling that life just cannot be any worse for you, it can be challenging to think positive. When stressed, depressed, upset or otherwise in a negative state of mind because you are aware that misfortune keeps occurring, it is important to shift those negative thoughts to something positive. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    It is often very hard to think positive when so many things are negative, but be sure that someone, somewhere is worse off than you. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} If you start with one small, positive thing and appreciate it during the course of your day, you will begin to move into a more positive situation and people will start showing up in your life. With appreciation, you will find that over time, you will change your outlook and choose to be happy, regardless of the events around you. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Begin and end each day with a “Thank you for this wonderful, glorious day!”

    When you see the rise of gas prices, say “I am so glad to have a vehicle in which to get around.”

    When your boss is too hard on you, say “I am grateful for my job as I know that many don't have one.”

    If you are having health problems, be grateful for what does work: “I really do appreciate it that my eyes see, my ears hear, my mouth tastes, my legs walk, my arms lift and my mind thinks and everything else works.”

    Write down what you're grateful for each day. In moments when you're feeling really down, read loud what you wrote previously. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you practice this regularly, you will find your list getting longer and longer.

    The key is to move yourself into a positive thought and keep it there long enough to make it a moment of appreciation. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. This will certainly help uplift your spirits.

B. If not, you will only attract more misfortune.

C. It is of great importance to learn to be grateful.

D. The more you appreciate, the happier you'll be.

E. If you have made some achievements in your career.

F. Here are a few common examples for you to practice.

G. You can choose to think differently by beginning with the smallest of steps.

    You're growing up. That means you're probably experiencing changes, all at once. Your body is changing. It might even seem as if your entire self is changing. It can be confusing and even scary. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} And it's good!

    Growing up means that you can do more, learn more, and start to make your mark on the world. In order for that to happen, your body produces chemicals called hormones that help both body and mind grow. Hormone levels change constantly, rising and falling.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} But it's partly to blame for intense emotions, surprising reactions, and mood changes.

    Because of the way your brain develops, it is somewhat ruled by emotions now and through your teen years. As a result, growing up can seem like an emotional roller coaster (过山车)!{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Take care of yourself. If you eat right, sleep enough, and get good exercise, your brain will be much more able to deal with the stress.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} When you feel your moods changing or you're upset, or confused, some quiet time will allow you to gather your thoughts and get calmer.

    Practise relaxing your body and deep breathing when you go to bed.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Plus, when stuff happens during the day, you'll be able to calm yourself quickly with a deep breath or two before you react. Your body is changing.

A. Take a timeout.

B. Work out regularly to keep physically fit.

C. But the truth is, it happens to every teen.

D. This changing is needed for your body's development.

E. It will help you fall asleep and start the morning right.

F. Here are a few things you can do to make the ride smoother.

G. Usually, these feelings settle down when you realize what is going on.

    The key to dealing with test-day jitters（焦躁）is through preparation! {#blank#}1{#/blank#} It is important to prepare your mind and body before the test for the experience of working under pressure.

    Get some sleep.

    I know you've heard this before, but it's often repeated because it's so important. Get plenty of sleep the night before the test! If you don't have enough rest, you'll end up with less concentration. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Leave early.

    Be sure to leave earlier than normal on the day of a test to avoid the added fear of arriving late. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} The embarrassment will cause you to be distracted and lose valuable time.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Once you arrive at school or at the testing center, find a quiet space where you can be all alone. You can use your car if you drive, or you can find an empty locker room or office (ask a teacher). Once you locate a cozy nest in a quiet place, do a relaxation session (=period). Close your eyes and try to relax completely. Take deep breaths and remain calm.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    It's possible that some students start to stress out as other students discuss the material. When you hear others chatting, it might sound like you ignored something important or you misunderstood a concept (概念). It's probably not even true—but it can seem like it!

A. Take a quiet moment.

B. A sleepy brain is a foggy brain.

C. Watch out for chatting with others after a test.

D. Attending an exam late is the last thing you need.

E. You can find time to eat some snacks during a break.

F. Don't talk with other students in the minutes before a test.

G. But full preparation means more than knowing the test material.

How to Raise Money for Your Favorite Charity

    At the end of the year, we are often inspired to do more for people in need. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Don't worry. Here's a quick and easy tip-list to make such a worthy act successful.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}You need to make sure that both you and your participants enjoy the event. So keep it simple and make sure that you add some fun, whether it's special decoration, a bag for each participant or guest, or a special theme.

    Get team support.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Teamwork may give you some new ideas and help give a unique feature to your event. Make sure that you break down the work among your team.

    Plan for the "what-ifs?" If you are planning to hold an event outdoors, or if you are relying on a famous person as a guest of honor, make sure you think of a few possible alternatives.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}This is the key to successful event planning.

    Timing is everything. Check your community calendar to make sure there are no important community events on the day that you are planning your event. You might want to check with other communities or non-profit organizations nearby.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

Check out your favorite charity's website for ideas. Many websites offer advice on how to raise money. For example, the human rights charity Amnesty International lists events and ideas on its website.

A. Keep it fun and simple.

B. Tell the charity about the event.

C. Have no idea of where to begin?

D. Turn to friends for some creative ideas.

E. Remember to thank anyone who has donated.

F. Try to pick the date that will bring in the best attendance.

G. What if it starts raining or if your honored guest doesn't show up?

    We usually don't mind when people call us by positive nicknames. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} But when people call us by cruel nicknames, it can be difficult to get them to stop. So what should you do?

    Ask your friends to stop. Maybe you tripped (绊倒) over your feet a few times, and your friends started calling you klutz, thinking that you don't really mind. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Leave a nicknames behind. Sometimes, life gives us a chance to start fresh. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If you're moving from elementary school to middle school, let your friends know that: A new year has begun and you don't want to go by your old nickname.

    I ignore those who call you by a nickname. If the kids calling you by a bad nickname aren't your friends, you should do your best to ignore them. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It may be hard to pretend that it doesn't hurt, but if you get angry or obviously upset, it will just encourage them to use the nickname all the time.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Remember that if you have a bad nickname now  you probably won't be stuck with it. Just look at Elvis Presley! When he first started singing on stage, he wiggled (摆动) his hips so much that cruel critics and the audience nicknamed him Elvis The Pelvis. He never stopped wiggling. People soon found it impossible to ignore his talent and began to call him The King of Rock & Roll.

A. If it does bother you, tell them.

B. Believe that things will change.

C. If the kids refuse to stop, talk to your teacher.

D. It feels good when these nicknames are repeated.

E. Although words can be hurtful, they can't change who you really are.

F. The chance can be a good time to get rid of a nickname that you don't like.

G. If you act like they aren't hurting you, they'll eventually get bored and stop.

    Many people believe that there is some truth in the saying Laughter is the best medicine.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Laughter helps relieve pain, strengthen the immune system and reduce stress. Laughter stimulates(激发) hormones which make us feel happy. Laughter also increases the flow of blood throughout the body and has benefits which are similar to the ones you get by doing exercise.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Children exposed to funny films and cartoons before major medical procedures are able to cope better with pain and anxiety.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} These are professional clowns who are sent to hospitals and wards to entertain and distract sick children.

    Laughter therapy has become very popular in recent years and as a result, more and more laughter clubs are starting to open up in cities and towns all over the world. At a laughter session, a trained therapist instructs the group to perform a series of exercises which are designed to produce laughter. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}And it takes them some time to get rid of their inhibitions(心理抑制).They might even start off with fake laughter, but this doesn't matter because our bodies can't tell the difference, and the results are the same. Moreover, laughter is contagious(传染的).{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    So next time you feel ill, stressed out or depressed, try watching a funny film or try remembering an amusing incident in your life. You will soon feel better.

A. If one person starts giggling, it is unavoidable that everyone else will be drawn in.

B. Laughter helps you focus.

C. This finding has led to so-called clown doctors.

D. In fact, research done by scientists has shown that laughter has a lot of health benefits.

E. Laughter makes the world a better and more colorful place.

F. Some people may find the idea embarrassing at first.

G. Using laughter therapy in children's hospitals has proven to be invaluable.