励志英语小短文

1. Buy someone's coffee.

It's just coffee -- no one needs coffee, so this doesn't really matter, right? But what if you knew that a $$2

cup of caffeine could change someone's day, week or their whole

perspective

? Boom: That cup of coffee just

changed the world. Welcome to the Random Acts of Kindness movement, where nice things happen just

because nice people do them. You don't have to, you don't necessarily need to, but you can -- and it

restores people's faith in

humanity

. The best part? They pass it on.

2. Smile.

... with eye

contact

. In a world where smart phones rule and it's not just possible, but normal, to have entire conversations

without ever looking someone in the eye, it can be heart-stopping, wonderful and double-take-worthy to lock eyes with

someone grinning. Happiness is contagious, and it only takes a couple facial muscles to spread it.

3. Give what you can.

You clean out your closets, right? Perfect. You don't need a half a million dollar check written out to your charity of choice to help

someone (kudos to you if you do, though!). Maybe you have a few shirts you don't wear anymore or a few children's books you

can bear to part with. The thing about giving a little is that when everyone gives a little, suddenly it turns into a lot. Be a part

of that lot.

4. Get in touch. Then listen.

Maybe a grandparent is

chomping

at the bit to hear about your adventures, or maybe an old friend had a really bad day, maybe

your mom wishes you'd ring her up more often. Get on the line. You remember that your iPhone can make calls, right? Get in

touch with those people that are dying to hear from you (because someone definitely is). Then, ask: How are you doing? What's

new? These questions have such few

syllables

, but their depth is endless.

5. Sort your problems.

Let's face it: There's a lot of bad stuff in the world. It can be a scary place, and we've all got problems we would be a whole lot

happier without. But experiment with putting your problems into perspective -- or boxes: That breakup? Missing a really

important deadline at work? Hurt feelings? Losing someone close to you? Probably worth some self-pity. That stain on your shirt?

Not so much. Let go of what you can. The less negative, the more room there is to be happy.

6. Give when you get.

This is the best kind of multitasking! Whenever you get a little, give a little. There's a couple ways to pull this off: You can

implement it yourself (donating an older shirt when you splurge for a new shirt, etc), or support companies that are passionate,

good-hearted (really fun) 't get much better than that, does it?

7. Stop comparing yourself to people you see on the Internet.

We all creep people's Instagram and Twitter feeds... and there's nothing wrong with wanting to be the best version of you. But

you're you for a reason, and there's no one better at being you than you are! A little self-acceptance goes a long way. Your

confidence will melt into other people and make them feel comfortable in their own skin too.

8. Use please and thank you.

Not to sound like your grandmother (go ahead and put your elbows on the table!), but the smallest ways to show your gratitude

are these little words. They take zero effort to say, but the impact is huge. Aren't you thankful someone held the door for you

when your hands were full? Tell them!

9. Support someone else.

You know that friend who is trying to promote their new

album

, or start that business? You don't always have to chip in

financially to be a backer -- you just have to believe in something! Lend your support when and where

you can. Whether it's as simple as a retweet on Twitter or tossing a few extra bucks toward a worthy

cause, show someone you believe in what they're doing. Not only will they be super- motivated, but

they'll pass it on.

10. Chase what gets you up in the morning.