John and Mary had a nice home and two lovely children. John had just been asked to go on a business trip to another city for several days and Mary would go with him too. They hired a reliable woman to care for their children and returned home a little earlier than they had planned.
As they drove into their hometown, they found a home on fire. After having a look, Mary said, "Oh well, it isn't our fire. Let's go home." But John drove closer and said, "That home belongs to Fred Jones who wouldn't be off work yet. Maybe there is something we could do. "
John noticed an old lady screamed to him, "Get the children!" John grabbed(抓住) her by the shoulder saying, "Get a hold of yourself and tell us where the children are!" "In the basement, " cried the lady.
In spite of Mary's disagreement, John soaked (浸湿) his clothes and ran to the basement which was full of smoke. He found the door and grabbed two children. As he left he could hear some more cry. He sent the two badly frightened children into the waiting room and asked how many more children were down there. They told him two more children and Mary grabbed his arm and screamed, "John! Don't go back! It's dangerous! That house will fall down in any second!"
But he shook her off and went back. It seemed a very long time before he found both children and started going back. As he climbed up the endless steps, the thought went through his mind that there was something strangely familiar about the little bodies next to him, and at last when they came out into the sunlight and fresh air, he found that he had just rescued his own children. The babysitter had left them at this home while she did some shopping.
We give toys to kids who otherwise wouldn't have them. Load bags with canned foods for the hungry. Make donations to those who need it. This time of year, it seems, we focus more on doing good and being good. Certainly, that's not a bad thing.
Researchers at the University of California say that kindness, and related qualities like sympathy and compassion are actually a form of self preservation. Those who give more, get more. The most generous among us have greater influence and are more popular. Whereas, the unkind and unhelpful are more likely to be away from us. After all, it stands to reason, that if I'm paddling your lifeboat, you'll keep me afloat a little longer.
So, is kindness motivated by our real concern for others or are we do-gooders because it makes us look good and shores up our position in the society? Probably both. Most of us really enjoy helping others. It makes us feel good, connected, happy and that makes for a more satisfying life. But, it doesn't hurt that we also receive other rewards—status, cooperation, influence—that will help us survive and become successful.
Despite all the benefits, I tend most often toward kindness only when it's convenient. That doesn't mean I have bad manners. I say "my pleasure" and "thank you". I hold the door open for passengers. But, I could be kinder, more often. Sometimes I'm stopped from doing good by just how to do it. Sometimes, I'm just not thinking enough about others to recognise the need. Sometimes, I'm plain, a little selfish.
I'm working to be more aware of those around me. To slow down and move with patience and purpose on the freeway. To be more kind. My acts of kindness aren't complex or flashy—I'm not the type. They aren't expensive—I'm too cheap. But those things aren't required. You don't have to feel guilty that your kind gesture wasn't as big as building a school in Africa. Kindness can be a small, simple act and still make an extremely large impact. Notice a need and then consciously offer a bit of yourself.
Do you ever draw? Most of us don't. The reason we usually leave drawing to the artists is that we're not very good at it. Who wants to do anything they're bad at?Studies have found drawing has many benefits. Here are just a few reasons for picking up a pen or pencil of any kind.
It pushes you to be patient. We're used to things happening fast these days. Drawing is not fast.That's OK. And as something comes together over time, you'll be reminded of the value of patience. Drawing is an object lesson that not everything good comes quickly, which is an easy thing to forget.
A few of my drawings are really kind of great. Í can look at them with pride. But plenty of my little drawings are nonsense or unfinished. It doesn't matter. I still have the experience of drawing and the benefits it brings. Even if you're not naturally "good" at drawing, you'll get better over time if you practise.Your drawing doesn't have to mean anything or do anything useful. Sometimes you will even fail. No big deal.
It makes memories stick. I draw in order to capture(捕获) moments from my life. I'm not great at drawing, but that's not the point. Sometimes I draw the view from the window of my hotel room—whether it's a great view or not. Other times I draw from my dinner table. Remember, the idea is to capture the moment, not create a masterpiece.
A. Take the pressure off.
B. It's a good reminder that failure is OK.
C. It is something that can show your talents.
D. It takes time to create something interesting.
E. If you draw fast, you might ruin your drawing.
F. But maybe we should rethink this assumption.
G. These drawings can always bring me back to the moments.
The last thing Kim Powell-Woods wanted for her birthday was a newspaper story. But her day on Wednesday was just too unusual to 1 . Instead of a traditional 2 with gifts and a birthday cake, the Limestone woman wanted smiles. She planned that for her 35th birthday, she would do 35 acts of random kindness for 3 . "I thought of it a couple of weeks ago, and I sat down one afternoon and 4 making a list of things I could do, " she said. She added that her job, as a 911 5 , put her in touch with people who were having very bad days. She wanted a day when she might help people have a brilliant day. "And, as a single mother of two, I know a lot about what it's like to be in all kinds of 6 . So, I wanted to give people a little boost, " she explained.
She started at 5 a. m. At a gas station, she helped a woman who was trying to 7 some household things. She needed money to buy gas to get to work in Momence. Kim 8 that gas. Kim made some sandwiches the night before and packed lunches for other 9 strangers. She gave them away at the bus stop at noon. She remembered what it was like to 10 the bus and have no plan for lunch.
The only 11 she hit was a laundry attendant who 12 to make change for her. While Kim may have brought smiles to 35 faces, at least one woman wanted none of Kim's 13 of goodwill. "I'll probably do this again, and I'll wait for a(n) 14 one, like my 40th birthday, " she said. And she might get her 15 at a bank.
