Have you ever noticed that the more you have the more you want? Let’s face it. Thinking our life is good enough doesn’t come naturally to many people. When we have high expectations of everything in life we will run into disappointment. Only when we are aware that needs are different from desires can we live with satisfaction. Here are a few ideas to help you be happier with what you have and who you are.
Focus on what you are thankful for. Most people want things to be better than they are, or when things are going well, we forget to appreciate what we have. Learn to reflect on how much better things are than they could be. Focus on what you are thankful for. Write down 5 things you are grateful for right now.
When we hold onto regrets from decisions we have made, it can really poison our well-being. Many people regret something they can no longer change, which ends up holding them back from moving forward in a more positive manner. What happened in the past is done and gone, so work to stay present and be mindful of the current moment to find more joy and fulfillment.
When we use other people as the measuring stick for our personal success and quality of life we are likely to be less satisfied. Social comparisons can provide useful information when we try to learn from others, but they also hold our perspective in a discontented position. Compare yourself less with others so you can be satisfied more.
When you are focused on your big ambitions and future goals you might elide the daily pleasures that surround you. Learn to slow down and absorb the wonder and beauty around you. Stay present and focus on the task you’re undertaking at the moment. Don’t let the life pass you by because you’re always on the go and distracted by ambition.
Practice looking at life through the lens of contentment and it will become more natural.
1.How can we live with contentment?
A. To change our lifestyle.
B. To have a motivation in life.
C. To give less attention to what we are grateful for.
D. To realize the difference between needs and desires.
2.What’s the main idea of Paragraph 3?
A. Make wise decisions. B. Know the present situation
C. Let go of regrets. D. Remember the past.
3.The underlined word “elide”(in Paragraph 5) probably means “__”.
A. enjoy B. change C. create D. neglect
4.What should you do to put yourself in a good mood?
A. Make time for simple pleasures. B. Learn from successful people.
C. Focus on your future goals. D. Create chance to learn more.
I was invited to attend a presentation at the Kentucky School. That evening I found gratitude had amazing ______ to change our attitude and our life.
The young musician Mr. Patrick was ______onto the stage in his wheelchair and began to play the piano. His fingers danced across the keys ______ he made beautiful music. He then began to sing as he played, and it was wonderful. But what shocked me most was his______smile.
Patrick was born with no eyes and an illness in the legs, which______him lame for life. However, as a child, he was______with artificial eyes and placed in a wheelchair. Before his first birthday, he discovered the piano. When his mom hit any_______on the piano, and within one or two tries, he′d ______. By his second birthday, he was playing “ Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”. His father was______. “We might not play baseball, but we can play music together.”
When Patrick was at the University of Louisville, his father attended ________with him. He was also a part of the 214-member marching band！He was a blind, wheelchair-bound trumpet player; and he and his father did it together. His father_______the night shift（夜班）in order to accompany his daytime band practice. Patrick says, “My dad′s my________.”
But even ______ his unbelievable musical talent, it was Patrick′s “attitude of gratitude” that________my soul. On the stage, between songs, he talked to the audience about his life and about ____________blessed he was with a great father. When his performance was over, Patrick and his father were on the stage together. The crowd ______ to their feet and cheered for over five minutes.
We all face misfortune in our lives. ______，it′s not the hardship but how we________to it that will determine the joy and happiness in our lives. During_______times, do we spend too much time feeling sorry for ourselves,________can we, with gratitude, learn how to dance in the rain？
1.A. knowledge B. quality C. wisdom D. power
2.A. rolled B. held C. carried D. dragged
3.A. since B. although C. as D. if
4.A. strange B. magic C. bitter D. friendly
5.A. took B. led C. forced D. left
6.A. fitted B. connected C. associated D. filled
7.A. place B. note C. music D. part
8.A. fight it out B. catch it C. get it D. make it
9.A. confused B. amused C. interested D. overjoyed
10.A. parties B. lectures C. classes D. meetings
11.A. worked B. found C. refused D. cancelled
12.A. educator B. hero C. candidate D. sponsor
13.A. instead of B. more than C. rather than D. in place of
14.A. touched B. calmed C. freed D. felt
15.A. why B. what C. how D. when
16.A. rose B. raised C. lifted D. stood
17.A. Therefore B. Otherwise C. However D. Besides
18.A. see B. react C. agree D. put
19.A. unconscious B. typical C. tough D. visual
20.A. but B. or C. and D. while
The foreign Minister said “ ________ that the two sides will work towards peace”．
A. It is no doubt B. There is our hope
C. There is no wonder D. It is our hope
Mr. White ___________ at 8:30 am for the meeting, but he didn’t show up.
A. ought to arrive B. should arrive
C. should have arrived D. was supposed to arrived
The lion is considered the king of the forest as it is a(n) _______ of courage and power.
A. signal B. sign
C. symptom D. symbol
She went to the bookstore and bought three _______________ books.
A. scores of B. dozen of
C. score of D. dozens of
