3 . Do Actions Speak Louder than Words?

Our society is fast paced. We are all rushing from one place to the next, blowing our horn at slow drivers who may be singing songs in the car with their children or pointing out some interesting sights. We don't have time for that silliness today. But we try to say to ourselves that we will make time for fun tomorrow. It is time to take a few deep breaths and think about our actions and our words.     1    

Have you ever really thought about the saying “Actions speak louder than words”? Think about it now. If you say one thing and act in an opposite way, will the words be ignored and just the actions remembered? I don’t think so.     2     It is also equally important to use words to show appreciation, love, approval and happiness and then follow those words with a hug, pat on the back or smile.

    3     What about that saying? True? Yes! Words carry a lot of weight and will be remembered for years especially when they are written down. Mean words can hurt for that moment and for a lifetime. I am sure that each of us remembers a time when a friend made an unkind comment.     4     Let’s not be a member of that “club”. When was the last time that you hid a love note in a lunch box or in your mate’s coat pocket? If you want to see a bright smile, that will do it! The power of this written note will be remembered for many days, even years.

“I can live for two months on a good compliment (夸奖)”, said Mark Twain. Children grow stronger when they feel appreciated and understood.     5     A perfect way to turn a bad day around is to praise your child. “I noticed that your hair looked very nice today.” “Did you hang your coat up all by yourself?” It is amazing how those few words can change a child's outlook... almost immediately.

English was never my favourite subject until I joined Mr. Wu’s class. He gave me some great advice on     1     to improve my speaking so that I could speak more     2    (fluent). Gradually, I started to speak with more confidence. I really thanked Mr. Wu for what he    3    (do) for me.

8 . “How are you?” is a nice question. It's a friendly way that people in the United States greet each other. But “How are you?” is also a very unusual question. It's a question that often doesn't have an answer. The person who asks “How are you?” expects to hear the answer “Fine”, even if the person's friend isn't fine. The reason is that “How are you?” isn't really a question, and “Fine” isn't really an answer. They are simply other ways of saying “Hello” and “Hi”.

People also don't say exactly what they are thinking when they finish conversations with other people. For example, many conversations over the phone end when one person says “I've got to go now”. Often, the person who wants to hang up gives an excuse: “Someone's at the door”; “I’ve got to put the groceries（杂物）away.” “Something is burning on the stove（炉子）.” The excuse might be real, or it might not. Perhaps the person who wants to hang up simply doesn't want to talk any more, but it isn't very polite to say that. The excuse is more polite, and it doesn't hurt the other person's feeling.

Whether they are greeting each other or ending a conversation, people often don't say exactly what they are thinking. It is an important way that people try to be nice to each other, and it's all part of the game of languages.

Smiling is a great way to make yourself stand out while helping your body to function better. Smile can improve your health, your stress level, and your attractiveness.

1. Smiling Makes Us Attractive

We are drawn to people who smile. There is an attraction factor. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good because anxieties can push people away—but a smile draws them in.

2. Smiling Changes Our Mood

Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There’s a good chance your mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mind.

3. Smiling Is Appealing

When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.

4. Smiling Relieves Stress

Stress can really show up in your faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you’ll be better able to take action.

5. _______

When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes, take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?

6. Smiling Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger

The muscle we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. Don’t go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day—you’ll look younger and feel better.

7. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive

Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It’s hard. When we smile our body is sending the rest of us a message that “Life Is Good!”