【推荐1】For teenagers, eating with their families is not only about preventing bad outcomes – it is also about developing good ones.

Several studies have looked at the long-term effects eating with families has on a teenager. Experts say that these studies do not seem to prove a cause-and-effect relationship. However, they do suggest a strong link.

In 2014, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development looked at data from nearly three-quarters of the world’s countries. Among its findings was the fact that students who shared a main meal with their families were less likely to skip school.

Teenagers who eat a main meal with their families are also less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. That was a finding of a study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University in New York. The 2012 CASA report found that “family dinners were strongly linked to teen substance use prevention.” In the report, titled “The Importance of Family Dinners,” researchers say that “teens who have frequent family dinners are more likely to say their parents know a lot about what’s going on in their lives.” They also claim that when teens say they feel closer to their parents, they are less likely to use drugs and alcohol.

Another study from the University of Montreal found that teenagers who ate with their families experience long-term physical and mental health benefits. These teens were physically in better shape and drank fewer sugary soft drinks. They also seemed to have better social skills and self-reported that they were less aggressive.

Linda Pagani, a professor involved in this study says that there is “a handful of research suggesting a positive link between eating family meals together frequently and adolescent health.” Pagani says that mealtimes shared with parents “likely provide young children with firsthand social interaction, discussions of social issues and day-to-day concerns.” She adds that they may likely help the child have better communications skills with others.

【推荐2】It was the first day of Spring here but it didn't feel like it. The Coronavirus(冠状病毒) Pandemic was sweeping the globe and everywhere there were feelings of uncertainty, fear, loneliness and even despair. "Social Distancing" had become the new norm. Here the schools had been closed, the restaurant dining rooms had been shut, and people had been told to work from home whenever they could. Even the sheltered workshop where my oldest son worked had been closed until furl her notice. People had made a run on the stores and large areas of the shelves were bare. On the news the numbers of sick and dead continued to rise. It felt like there was a weight on the souls of everyone in the world.

My own family was staying at home as much as possible and as I looked out my window I wondered how long this crisis would last. It was then, however. that I saw something that lifted that weight off of my soul, made my face smile, and made my heart feel happy again. On the street below my house there was an old friend of mine from high school who was a teacher there now. With him was my younger son s former aide from the high school as well. They were delivering the school lunches door to door to the hungry children who were stuck al home. Watching them made me think of something everyone's childhood television neighbor. Mr. Roger's once said:“ In the bad times, always look for the helpers. ”

I have no doubt this crisis will pass as all the crisis before it have. But it is our choice on whether it brings out the best in us or the worst in us. Let it bring out the best in you. Use it to strengthen your faith. Use it to free yourself from fear. Use it to grow kinder, more giving, and more loving. Become a helper to all those in need and you will be a happy person today and in all the days to come.