Special family bonds（纽带）are not created by big ship vacations or buying your child a new toy，a bicycle or expensive clothes．Great families are formed by making time for each other，and by listening and caring．The good news is that it costs nothing to do these things．

Last weekend my kids and I were sitting outside the front steps of our house enjoying some sunshine after washing the car and playing with the neighbour’s kids．As we sat there I had an idea that I thought would be fun．“Anne，Liz，usually on Wednesday you come home from school for lunch．What about having a picnic in the park instead？”I asked．Both Anne and Liz lit up and smiled．“Yeah，Daddy！Then we’d even have more time to play in the school yard after！”they shouted．

So that’s our little plan today for a simple Wednesday．I hope it will become one more of a huge collection of special family moments，when we make time for each other and do something special together．

A picnic in the park is something that works for us．My kids go to school close to the house and I work for myself in my study．I’m not saying that you should do exactly the same thing．It might not fit into your family situation．But something will fit，and it’s up to you to find out what those things are and do them Then keep doing them．Find special things that you can do with your kids．Make it a habit．You’ll love the results．When your kids are older，they won’t remember the iPad you bought them，or the stuffed animal for their collection．They will remember the time you spent with them．

Two years ago I was very lonely and didn’t talk with anyone about my feelings. At the time I didn’t have many friends. I wanted someone to share my experiences and secrets with. I wanted someone to understand me. I started to imagine this friend and often imagined our conversations and what we would do.

Some weeks later we started a new project in school and I was working with one of my schoolmates. We had never worked together before but we got along well. After the project we started to spend some time together in school. One day we decided to take a walk. Ever since that walk we’ve been best friends. We listened and really understood each other.

I had wished for a best friend, but the universe gave me so much more. I have met one of my soul mates. We can sense each other, and it just takes one look and we know what the other is thinking. I didn’t think our friendship could grow much stronger. But now we have known each other for two years and our friendship is growing all the time.

It hasn’t only been easy. We have gone through both easy and hard times. But I’m thankful for the hard times, because they have forced me to grow and taught me a lot. My best friend has changed me. She has made me believe in myself. And I am now focusing on achieving one of my biggest dreams. Without her I wouldn’t even have realized what my biggest dream is.

I know there are soul mates out in the world for you. I am so thankful to have met one of mine. Believe in them, and your paths will cross!

One of the biggest complaints I hear from people is that their friends just aren’t there for them. More than that, sometimes friends are downright (彻头彻尾地) rude or even mean. You can’t change people, but you can surround yourself with more positive people. 【小题1】

With positive friends, you don’t need to beg for help when you need it, because the chances are that they will be there for you without your begging. 【小题2】 As Dotdash states, ideal friendships provide support when you’re down, fun when you’re up, and wisdom when you’re lost.

There are also friends who might snipe (抨击) at you or even laugh at you behind your back. Those people celebrate the downfall of others. 【小题3】Friends of this kind will add to whatever amount of stress you are feeling.

【小题4】 For example, perhaps you always want to be a writer. The negative people in your life will probably tell you all the reasons why you won’t succeed. Maybe you have already gone over the reasons why you might fail and this is what has prevented you from trying. But with positive people in your life,you’ll feel more comfortable sharing these types of goals because your friends will give you the emotional push you need to go after what you want in life.

You naturally attract the kind of friends who are most like you. So if you’re a sad person, you’ll probably find that negative people come to you. 【小题5】The more you are able to maintain a positive attitude, the more like-minded people you’ll attract in return.