A recent study showed that money can buy happiness, but only a certain amount. The researchers concluded that the ideal (理想的) income for individuals is $95,000 a year for life satisfaction. 【小题1】 That means money is only a part of what makes us happy. If we’re really unhappy to our core (核心) inner being, then there are limits to how happy money can make us.

What exactly is happiness anyway? Is it a car, a house or a big screen TV? Buying a new car feels great at first. But months and years later, it’ll just be a car. 【小题2】 And then you’re back to where you started. Or you’ll want more. Happiness is a feeling. It is often used to describe a range of positive emotions, including joy, pride, contentment, and gratitude.

Science now shows that happiness is not about how much money you have, but how you spend it. Donating can help you find the meaning in life. You don’t have to have large amounts of cash to make a difference. 【小题3】

Spending money on experiences has been shown to increase happiness as well. 【小题4】 You can travel, learn a new musical instrument, or even take a cooking class.

【小题5】 It could be sleeping in. It might be a hug or watching a butterfly. Money doesn’t have anything to do with these. However, these are the little things in life that matter. They bring us happiness. Happiness is found in the smallest behaviors rather than material things.

Many times, sports events can be really competitive. Athletes go through great pressure both in their training and during performance, all for that number one position. For one Spanish athlete, Iván Anaya, it was exactly that respect for the great hard work and devotion to the sports that made him lose on purpose.

During a cross-country race in Burlada, Navarre, the Kenyan athlete Abel Mutai was well ahead of Iván. But then, thinking he had already reached the finish line, he started slowing down in his pace. He still had 10 meters ahead of him. Anyone else in second position might have taken advantage of that mistake but not Iván. Iván stayed behind Abel, and using hand signals, he guided Abel to the finish line.

Later, Iván spoke about his decision, which might stun many people. Iván said, “I just did what I had to do. He was the rightful winner. He was far ahead of me and I couldn’t have caught him up if he hadn’t made a mistake. As soon as I saw he was stopping, I knew I wasn’t going to pass him.”

Iván’s coach, former Spanish runner Martin Fiz, said he would not have thought to do the same thing. “It was a very good gesture (姿态) of honesty,” said Fiz, “A gesture that I myself wouldn’t have made. I certainly would have taken advantage of it to win.”

Iván hoped it would spread a message about the importance of honesty. “But I also think that having done what I did has earned more fame than if I had won,” he added. “And that is very important, because today in all circles, in soccer, in society, where it seems anything goes, with the way things are, a gesture of honesty goes down well.”

When I was a little girl, a couple in our community went through a tragedy. They lost a young child and were in deep despair. Shortly afterward, my mother ran into the father at the local supermarket. He turned to my mother and said, “Your husband saved our life. He was the one more than anyone else who helped us get through this incredible loss.”

My mother wanted to know what message of solace was given to lift them from the depths of despair. So back at home, she asked my father about their conversation many times, but my father insisted that he had said nothing.

A few weeks later the couple came over to our home. After sitting down for a few minutes, my mother gently said, “You told me that my husband helped you the most when you went through your awful sadness. What did he say?”

“Rebbetzin, you husband did not say one word. He just came over to our home and walked over to me without saying anything. And then he reached over to me, took my hands into his and hugged me. I looked up and saw tears falling from his eyes. You cannot imagine what that felt like. Your husband felt my pain. I was not sitting alone with my suffering.”

My mother was quiet, absorbing the message this man was giving.

“No, your husband did not speak. I didn’t need him to give me words. I needed his heart and soul.”

When I recall this story, I realize the truth. When having someone in our lives who is going through difficulty, we are often at a loss. What do we say? How do we make it all better? What is the greatest gift we can give to our loved ones?

We tend to think that we must fill space with words. But when you want to give of yourself, give a listening heart. Sometimes a person in pain needs you to stay silent. Just now that you are there for them. Perhaps you can’t fix anything or take away the pain, but you can feel it. With the silence comes sympathy and understanding. And you share the load.