How to Be Happy

刘素庚

Most people want to be happy， but few know how to find happiness. Money and success alone do not bring lasting happiness. Aristotle， a Greek thinker， said， “Happiness depends on ourselves，” In other words， we make our own happiness. Here are a few suggestions to help you to be happier.

The first secret of happiness is to enjoy the simple things in life. Too often， we spend so much time thinking about the future. We should enjoy lifes simple pleasures such as reading a good book， listening to your favorite music， wearing the nice clothes， taking part in your favorite activities or spending time with close friends. Maybe you can talk with your close friends in a quiet small park， there you can enjoy the sunshine， the fresh air and the beautiful flowers behind you. The birds are singing in the trees and some children are playing happily under the trees. Look into the lake， the water is so clear and the fishes are swimming fast in the water. They are in different colors and they look beautiful. Usually people who have several close friends often live happier and healthier lives. They can help each other and forget the sad things. Everyone has his or her own happiness， maybe he or she can share his or her happiness with you and make you become happier.

Another secret to living a happy life is to be active， and have hobbies. They can help you forget your problem and time. Many people have hobbies such as dancing and swimming. You can forget about your problems， and only think about the activity. Take on new skills and learn new things. So there is no time to think of bad things， then your life will be full of happiness. Think back when you have the happiest feelings： What makes you so happy？ Why do you feel sad when something happened to you？ Do something happy when you feel sad and worried， reading through a favorite book or magazine， visiting a zoo， planting some flowers and vegetables...

Finally， many people find happiness in helping others. Studies show that people feel good when they spend their time helping others. If you want to feel happiness， do good things for someone. You can help a friend with his or her studies， go shopping to buy food for an elderly person， or simply help out by cooking some dishes， washing the dishes and cleaning the room. Look after your sick friends when you are free. When they get better， they will say thanks to you， then you must feel very happy. When you fall ill some day， they will come and give you a hand， and then you will be close friends. Happiness will be around you， there will be less and less sadness.

Be a happy person is not so difficult， please have a try.

大多数人想要幸福， 但是鲜少有人知道如何寻找幸福。光靠金钱与成功不能带来持久的幸福。希腊思想家亚里士多德说：“幸福取决于我们自己”， 换句话说，我们创造自己的幸福。 这里有一些建议来帮助你更加幸福。

第一个幸福的秘诀就是享受生活中简单的事物。 我们常常花费大量的时间思考未来。我们应当享受生活中简单的愉悦，比如读一本好书，听你最喜欢的音乐，穿一件新衣服，参加你最喜欢的活动或者与你的好朋友共度时光。也许你可以与你的好朋友在一处安静的小公园聊天，在那里你们可以享受阳光，新鲜的空气和你身后艳丽的花朵。鸟儿们正在树上唱歌，孩子们正在树下欢快地玩耍。 看那湖里，湖水如此清澈，鱼儿们在水中飞快地游着，他们有着不同的颜色，看起来如此美丽。通常，有几个亲密好友的人能够过着更幸福与健康的生活，他们可以互帮互助，忘掉令人难过的事情。 每个人都有属于自己的幸福， 或许他人能与你分享，让你也变得更加幸福起来。

另一个过上幸福生活的秘诀就是变得活跃，并且有自己的爱好。它们可以帮助你忘记烦恼与时间。很多人拥有跳舞，游泳等爱好。你可以忘掉你的烦恼，沉浸于这项活动中。接受新技能并学习新事物。那么你将没有时间想糟糕的事情， 随后你的生活将会充满快乐。回想你有最愉悅的感觉的时候： 是什么使得你如此开心？当发生一些事情时你为什么感到悲伤？当你感到难过或担心时，做一些快乐的事，看一本你最喜欢的书， 参观动物园，种一些花和蔬菜……

最后，许多人通过帮助他人来获取幸福，研究表明当花费时间帮助别人时，人们会感觉很棒。 如果你想要感到幸福，为某个人做些好事。你可以帮助朋友的学习，为老人购买食物，或仅仅帮助他们做饭、洗碗、打扫房间。空闲时照顾生病的朋友，当他们好些时， 他们将会对你表示感谢，而后你一定会感觉非常开心。 当有一天你生病时， 他们也会向你伸以援手，你们会成为亲密的朋友。快乐将会围绕着你，悲伤也会越来越少。

试试看吧，成为一个快乐的人并不难。

根据短文内容，选择最佳答案。

1. ____ know how to find happiness.

A. Everyone      B. Many people      C. A few people    D. Many people dont

2. What is true happiness？

A. Have a lot of money.    B. Eat a lot of decilious food.

C. Get a good job.        D. We make ourselves happy.

3. How many ways to be happy in the reading？

A. Two.  B. Three.  C. Four.  D. Five.

4. When your classmate is poor at math， what should you do？

A. Ask my classmate to ask the teacher.    B. Ask him or her to listen to the radio.

C. Help him or her if I have time.

D. Let him or her work harder by himself or herself.