We need to be conscious of the fact that people around us influence us in subtle ways that may encourage us, or hamper it. Motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously said, “You’re the average of the five people you spend most of your time with”. 【小题1】

If this “circle” of people is goal-driven, and encouraging, we can experience a positive impact on our actions. On the other hand, if the people around us are negative and restrictive, we may subconsciously “live-up” to these qualities and stop our own personal growth in the process.

【小题2】

How do you identify who is influencing you? Be mindful of the conversations you have with people and the activities you engage in with them. What are the opinions that dominate in your social group? 【小题3】If there is a discrepancy between what you are and where you want to be, look at your circle of five and you will see how instrumental they are in influencing your path. Identify and exclude time and energy vampires from your circle of five.

Nourish your circle

Once you identify the people who belong to your reference group, it is important to nourish these relationships.   【小题4】 Different individuals evolve at a different pace. The important part is to be aware of this living and changing “circle of five”. Of course, five is a rough guide. It could be slightly more or less. Let this circle of five motivate you, help you gain courage, and take the right actions.

【小题5】 Play this role sincerely and demonstrate a growth mindset to anyone who lists you as part of their circle of five.

Several studies suggest there are some very good reasons to think about ways to be kind and friendly plan out that type of behavior. 【小题1】 Researchers also say kindness played an important part in how humans developed. In other words, they say scientific evidence suggests that we are designed to be kind.

Oliver Curry is the research director at Kindlab, a non-profit organization. 【小题2】 Curry claims that “kindness is much older than religion.” “The basic reason why people are kind is that we are social animals.” he explained.

【小题3】 University of London psychologist Anat Bardi studies value systems in people. In one study, researchers gave people a list of values - such as kindness, creativity, ambition, tradition, security, and seeking social justice. When asked to pick the most important, kindness won.

But research shows that our bodies can also reward us for being kind. University of California Riverside psychology professor Sonja has tested this idea in many experiments over the past 20 years. In one experiment, she asked people to perform three acts of kindness for other individuals each week. She asked a different group to do three acts of self-kindness. 【小题4】 The people who were kind toothers reported feeling happier and more connected to the world.

【小题5】 Sonja studied a group of people with the disease multiple sclerosis (多发性硬化). She found that they felt better physically when helping others. Her research also showed that people who performed more acts of kindness had less inflammation (发炎) in their bodies.

As COVID-19 broke out and spread in the world, many countries are changing their social habits to reduce the risk of spreading the novel coronavirus(新型冠状病毒). Here are some of the ways that greeting habits are changing around the world.

China

Loudspeakers tell people not to shake hands but to make the traditional gongshou gesture(a fist in the opposite palm) to say hello.

France

France is famous for its romantic greetings. They touch each other's cheeks and make a kissing sound. But now, this habit may be coming to a stop. Newspapers in France have begun publishing advice on how to replace kissing on the cheek. French etiquette(礼仪) expert Philippe Lichtfus said that simply looking into a person's eyes can be enough as a greeting.

Spain

The outbreak could also hit one of Spain's most important traditions—in the week before Easter, known as Holy Week, the faithful (信徒) queue up to kiss the hands or feet of sculptures of the Virgin Mary and the saints, seeking their protection. It's said that the ceremony could be banned.

Iran

Traditionally, people in Iran shake hands to greet one another. But today, a video has been popular in Iran, showing three friends meeting, hands in their pockets and two of them wearing masks, tapping their feet against each other as a greeting.