Four simple ways to stay positive

    Trying to stay positive, both in good times and bad, is a great way to improve your quality of life. Try these four methods on a daily basis.

    Don't think a lot about negativity.

    Of course, staying positive 24 hours a day, seven days a week is a bit difficult. Letting things get to you is normal, and it's actually healthy to cry or express frustrations once in a while. It's when those negative moments control your life that your emotional balance is at risk. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} However, don't give that sadness another second in your day.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} 

    What you put into your body directly affects how you feel on the outside. Fill yourself with good, healthy foods like fruits and vegetables and limit snacking. Exercise is equally of great importance. Take a few days out of your week for at least a half an hour of activity, and try to stick to a routine. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Be kind to others.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Making someone's day a bit brighter not only puts a smile on his or her face, but also yours as well. Remember to smile and treat each person with pity and respect. Good deeds are contagious (传染的), and your positive attitude may spread among others.

    Take it one day at a time.

Being positive isn't an instant thing. It's a steady effort that we follow every hour of every day. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Instead, focus on living in the moment and doing what you can to make each moment better.

A. Eat healthy and stay fit.

B. Take your lunch breaks outside.

C. Don't worry about what the future may bring.

D. Gratefulness helps you appreciate life in bad times.

E. Good feelings come from acts of kindness and selflessness.

F. Take a few minutes to feel sad and accept what happened.

G. Even going outside for a walk and enjoying the sunshine improves your mood.

    "No man is an island" is a well-known line from John Donne's Devotions upon Emergent Occasions, written more than three hundred years ago. Even now people still agree with him.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} So we all need to have friends. For some of us, though making friends is not difficult, we may not want to make the first move. It is also difficult at times to keep the friends we already have.

    There are many books about friendship, but Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People, written in 1936, is the most famous.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} It was later put into 28 languages.

    Here is the list of advice from his book:

    Be friendly and polite.

    Always greet with a smile. Begin with "excuse me" or "would you please", when you want to ask somebody.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Go out of your way to be nice.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Making some soup for a sick neighbor may seem like a little thing to you, but it will make your neighbor feel a lot better.

    Remember names.

    They say that the sweetest music to a person' ears is the sound of his or her own name.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Try to understand other people's ways and ideas and learn something from them.

A. Be open-minded.

B. Try to help your friends get out of trouble.

C. Without other people, life became empty and sad.

D. Find some time to do some things for other people.

E. It's also important to keep close friends in our daily life.

F. Remember to say "thank you" and try to be as helpful as you can.

G. This "How to" book about getting along with other people became a best seller.

Best Way to Save Money

    Although the best way to save money can vary from person to person, depending on age, family size and other characteristics, there are still some easy things that all shoppers can do to keep more money in their bank accounts.

    Avoid impulse (冲动的) purchases.

    When you shop, a best way to save money is to have a plan in mind to help you avoid impulse purchases. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} And you only carry the exact amount of cash that you will need for your planned purchase. Some shoppers agree to discuss any purchases over a certain dollar amount with their spouses (配偶) first.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Sometimes the best way to save money in the long term is to spend a little more money right now. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} A high-quality pair of shoes will last longer than a bargain pair and prevent foot pain. Leaner (瘦的) cuts of meat and organic produce provide health benefits for your family.

    Buy secondhand.

    Check classified ads, thrift stores and garage sales for used clothing, toys, furniture, and much more available at a part of their original cost. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} And there members offer unwanted items for free to anyone willing to pick them up.

    Borrow instead of buy.

    If you're only going to use something once, try to borrow it instead of spending your money on it. Borrow a tool from your neighbor. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Check out the resources at your local library. You'll also be reducing disorder in your home.

A. Make things by yourself.

B. Exchange books with a friend.

C. Know when to pay for quality.

D. Refuse to buy things you can't use.

E. For instance, you might leave your credit cards at home.

F. A good piece of furniture can stay in the family for decades.

G. For the most secondhand savings, check out groups like Freecycle.

    I am a member at the Blue Ridge Mountains Writers Conference. This is the conference where I got my start about 15 years ago, so it feels special whenever I go back there.

    I usually teach multiple sessions, host a table at meals where I can talk with conferees, and often have about 40-50 private appointments with attendees. I take great pleasure in giving my personal advice on the beginners' writing journey after listening to their puzzlement.

    And then I realized something, as I looked across the room and saw AI Gansky and Eva Marie Everson whom I'd had private appointments with many years ago when I was one of the conferees. The only reason I am a member there now is because countless people like them have invested in me. As a new writer, I once expressed my book ideas to Al and Eva, and they encouraged me a lot. Award-winning authors Yvonne Lehman and Steven James welcomed me to their group and shared their knowledge. And Edie, Vonda, Linda, Lynette, Michelle and so many others became my writing friends, offering encouragement and support along the way. I'd never have made it on this journey without them.

    Last week, I was invited to experience the life in the countryside with some writer friends. I refused the invitation at first. I was away from home a lot because of the numerous book releases and conferences. I felt so exhausted that I just wanted to stay at home. However, my sweet husband said, "Honey, why don't you go? It will be good for you. It can be a great source of inspiration for you." I'd never have made it without the support of this precious man who's been my chief encourager. It moves me to tears to think about all the times he's cleaned the kitchen, folded the laundry, taken care of our children and lugged my suitcases to the car so I can chase my dreams.

    I wouldn't be where I am today without all the supportive people and I want to give them a much-deserved shout-out today.

Rich and Famous

    Twenty years ago the most common ambition of American children was to be a teacher, followed by working in banking and finance, and then medicine. But today's situation is quite different. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Instead they most commonly say they want to be a sports star, a pop star, or an actor­in other words, they hope to become a celebrity .

    According to experts, young people desire these jobs largely because of the wealth and the fame. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Let's take athletes and singers as an example. Their careers are short­lived. Many athletes' best time only lasts a few years and singers can have a very limited career. The field that was once the focus of their lives becomes something they have little or no involvement in. As a result, they'll have a feeling of worthlessness and a lack of control. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} The truth is quite simple: they have been so far removed from it for so long.

    In spite of these disadvantages, there is greater ambition than ever among young people to achieve that status. They are not satisfied just making a living­they want to be rich and famous. Globally, more and more TV shows provide talent competitions where winners can achieve their goals in just a few weeks or months. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} They unrealistically believe that this lifestyle is easily obtained and leads to great satisfaction.

    While many people argue that there is nothing wrong with having such ambitions, others feel that this trend will finally lead to dissatisfaction as more and more people are unable to reach their goals. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}That means they ignore the simple fact that great effort is needed before success. As a result, many people won't realize their childhood dreams, which could have a negative effect on their happiness.

A. The younger generation don't favor these professions any more.

B. In many ways this has been brought about by the celebrity culture.

C. Unfortunately, they do not always have a positive effect on people's life.

D. Besides, it can be difficult for them to adapt back to a normal everyday life.

E. People no longer have a sense of satisfaction once their goals have been achieved.

F. This quick way of gaining wealth and fame creates a celebrity culture among people.

G. The reason is that they don't realize it takes talent and hard work to be rich and famous.