When going shopping with a friend, Gail Heyman found herself quite awkward (令人尴尬的) when her friend asked her which dress she liked best. Her friend had a clear favorite — a dress that Heyman happened to dislike. “In that case, I lied and said that I like the same one,” said Heyman.

As Heyman’s experience shows, it might not matter all that much if you tell a white lie to make a friend feel good at times. But when it comes to the most meaningful relationships in your life, protecting a friend’s feelings at all costs can sometimes make them fail. For example, if a person is practicing for a job interview and it’s a few days before his interview, and he gives an answer that you think is not good at all and you don’t tell him because you don’t want to hurt his feelings, that’s really not very nice to him, right? Because he has an opportunity to fix that thing.

If you know that lies can have results, why do you still lie often? A study carried out by Tali Sharot, a professor at University College London, found that it’s because people just get used to it. One little lie can turn into bigger and bigger lies over time. “If you habituate emotionally, it will change your behavior,” says Sharot.

Sharot notes that if you’re worried about lying a bit too much, try and notice when you want to bend the truth (歪曲事实). She thinks it’s best to do so when you’re not actually responding to those triggers (诱因). Moving your attention away from shame and focusing more on your values can be a healthy way to start looking at this more actively.

Different types of volunteer opportunities for teenagers exist in a wide range of time periods and fields. 【小题1】 Types of these opportunities include working with young children, pets, or the elderly.

After school opportunities can help teenagers develop a sense of responsibility and a good work attitude. Volunteer opportunities for teenagers looking to volunteer after school include private teaching and volunteering as an instructor. 【小题2】

During the holidays, a wide variety of volunteer opportunities exist to help give back to the surrounding community during times of need. 【小题3】 Helping to organize a toy drive or hand out donated gifts is another way for teenagers to get involved during the holiday season.

Volunteering to help pets is an option for teenagers with a love of animals. 【小题4】 Teenagers who intend to enter professions handling animals can benefit from the learning experience of handling a wide range of animals while sharing love and care with animals in need.

【小题5】 Nursing homes can use teenage volunteers for arts activities and regular visits. In addition, regular volunteer opportunities for teenagers can include visiting elderly neighbors, running errands for those who have a hard time getting out, and helping them around their own homes with chores and basic upkeep, such as mowing the lawn.

It’s not easy to know how to help our animals, considering they can’t talk—and don’t always listen. 【小题1】

When looking for a new pet, where do you start?

Buying pets online is risky because you have no idea about their upbringing or health. Consider adopting from a shelter, as you will be helping pets in need. If you go to a breeder(饲养员), aim to see any animal in person and in the place where they were born, better with their mothers. 【小题2】

How can you be sure the pet you pick will be the right fit?

You need to spend plenty of time with your pet or he may become lonely or bored and develop problem behaviors such as chewing and barking. 【小题3】 Some humans want an energetic dog to take jogging, while others want a lapdog to watch TV with. Take the time to find the right animal for your lifestyle.

How can you get him to do what you need him to?

【小题4】 So it is necessary to invest time and communicate with him. Contrary to popular belief, you can teach an old dog new tricks, so if you have an older guy, it’s still worth the effort. But the earlier you start, the more likely you are to achieve results.

【小题5】

Elderly dogs are less able to cope with extreme temperatures. Keep them cool on hot days and away from drafts on cold ones. Place pieces of carpet or bedding where your dog rests to help him rise from slippery floors. Make sure to check claws, which may not wear down sufficiently with reduced activity.