10个小细节 平凡的我们也能改变世界

 　　1. Buy someone's coffee.

　　为他人买杯咖啡

　　It's just coffee -- no one needs coffee, so this doesn't really matter, right? But what if you knew that a $2 cup of caffeine could change someone's day, week or their whole perspective? Boom: That cup of coffee just changed the world. Welcome to the Random¹ Acts of Kindness movement, where nice things happen just because nice people do them. You don't have to, you don't necessarily need to, but you can -- and it restores people's faith in humanity. The best part? They pass it on.

　　只是杯咖啡而已——没人必须要喝咖啡，所以也无所谓，对吧？但是如果你知道2美元一杯的咖啡可以改变一个人的一天、一周甚至整个人生，那你会怎么做？哇，一杯咖啡改变了整个世界。欢迎参与“好事随意做”活动，就是因为好人做好事，好事才会来。你不一定要做，你不必一定做，但你能做得到——这样会让人们重新相信人性。你猜最好的部分是什么？人们会把它传递下去。

　　2. Smile.

　　微笑

　　... with eye contact. In a world where smart phones rule and it's not just possible, but normal, to have entire conversations without ever looking someone in the eye, it can be heart-stopping, wonderful and double-take-worthy² to lock eyes with someone grinning. Happiness is contagious³, and it only takes a couple facial muscles to spread it.

　　微笑着用眼神交流。在一个智能手机统治的世界，在整个交流的过程中，连看也不看对方一眼，这样的行为不仅是可能的，也是正常的。要是看着对方咧嘴笑，就会有屏息凝气、非常奇妙的感觉。快乐是可以传染的，只需通过几个面部肌肉的运动就可以把它传播。

　　3. Give what you can.

　　尽你所能地付出

　　You clean out your closets, right? Perfect. You don't need a half a million dollar check written out to your charity of choice to help someone (kudos to you if you do, though!). Maybe you have a few shirts you don't wear anymore or a few children's books you can bear to part with. The thing about giving a little is that when everyone gives a little, suddenly it turns into a lot. Be a part of that lot.

　　你整理自己的衣橱，对吧？很好。你不用非得写一张50万的支票捐给慈善机构来帮助他人（但是如果你这样做，那当然相当好！ ）。也许你有几件不再穿的衬衫，或有几本可以舍弃的童书。虽然只付出一点点，但当每个人都付出一点点时，就会积少成多。来成为多的一部分吧。

　　4. Get in touch. Then listen.

　　保持联系，然后倾听

　　Maybe a grandparent is chomping⁴ at the bit to hear about your adventures, or maybe an old friend had a really bad day, maybe your mom wishes you'd ring her up more often. Get on the line. You remember that your iPhone can make calls, right? Get in touch with those people that are dying to hear from you (because someone definitely is). Then, ask: How are you doing? What's new? These questions have such few syllables⁵, but their depth is endless.

　　也许你的爷爷奶奶正迫不及待地想听你的历险，也许一个老友过了糟糕的一天，也许你的妈妈希望你多给她打个电话。联系他们吧。你还记得你的iPhone能打电话，对吗？和那些很想和你联系的人打个电话吧。然后问问：你怎么样了？最近发生了什么事儿？虽然这些问题只有几个音节，但是这些问题的深度是无止境的。

　　5. Sort your problems.

　　把问题排序

　　Let's face it: There's a lot of bad stuff in the world. It can be a scary place, and we've all got problems we would be a whole lot happier without. But experiment with putting your problems into perspective -- or boxes: That breakup? Missing a really important deadline at work? Hurt feelings? Losing someone close to you? Probably worth some self-pity. That stain on your shirt? Not so much. Let go of what you can. The less negative, the more room there is to be happy.

　　让我们面对现实吧：世界上有很多不好的事情。它会让人感到恐慌。我们都有问题，要是没有的话，会幸福地多。但是试一试用长远的眼光来看这些问题：分手？工作时错过了重要的截止时间？受伤的感觉？失去了亲近的人？或许值得自怜自哀。衬衫上的污渍？那就不值得了。能放手就放手。负面因素越少，开心的空间就越大。

　　6. Give when you get.

　　当你得到时就给予

　　This is the best kind of multitasking! Whenever you get a little, give a little. There's a couple ways to pull this off: You can implement⁶ it yourself (donating an older shirt when you splurge for a new shirt, etc), or support companies that are passionate⁷, good-hearted (really fun) do-gooders.Doesn't get much better than that, does it?

　　这是多任务的最好形式！无论何时只要你得到了一点点，那就给予一点点。可以有很多种方法：你可以自己去做（比如当你买了一件新衬衫时可以捐出一件旧衬衫）或支持有激情的公司、热心肠的好人。还有什么比这更好的呢？

　　7. Stop comparing yourself to people you see on the Internet.

　　不要再和互联网上的人进行比较

　　We all creep people's Instagram and Twitter feeds... and there's nothing wrong with wanting to be the best version of you. But you're you for a reason, and there's no one better at being you than you are! A little self-acceptance goes a long way. Your confidence will melt into other people and make them feel comfortable in their own skin too.

　　我们都喜欢看别人在Instagram和推特上的内容…,想成为最好的自己也没什么错。但是你就是你，没人比做你做得更出色的了！一点点儿自我接受，就能走很远。你的自信会逐渐融入他人，让他们也感到自信。

　　8. Use please and thank you.

　　用“请”和“谢谢”

　　Not to sound like your grandmother (go ahead and put your elbows on the table!), but the smallest ways to show your gratitude⁸ are these little words. They take zero effort to say, but the impact is huge. Aren't you thankful someone held the door for you when your hands were full? Tell them!

　　不是说听起来要像你的奶奶（快点，把胳膊肘放到桌子上！），但是表达你的感激之情的最简单的方式莫过于这些简单的词汇。说这些话又不费劲，但是影响却是相当大的。当你两手满满，有人给你开门时，你不是很感激他们？告诉他们！

　　9. Support someone else.

　　支持他人

　　You know that friend who is trying to promote their new album, or start that business? You don't always have to chip in financially to be a backer -- you just have to believe in something! Lend your support when and where you can. Whether it's as simple as a retweet on Twitter or tossing a few extra bucks⁹ toward a worthy cause, show someone you believe in what they're doing. Not only will they be super-motivated, but they'll pass it on.

　　你知道你的那个朋友在宣传他们的新唱片，或开了一家新公司？你不用每次都出资——你只需去相信他们！无论何时何地，只要你能帮助他们，就伸出你的手吧。无论是在推特上的一条转发，还是因为某个值得的原因投上一些钱，让他们看看你相信他们做的事情。他们不仅仅会受到鼓舞，而且还会把这份正能量传递下去。

　　10. Chase what gets you up in the morning.

　　追逐你的梦想

　　What's the thing that lingers on your heart -- that you just can't stop daydreaming¹⁰ about? Do the thing you would do if you could do anything. It's called your passion. And it's what you should be doing.

　　什么东西徘徊在你的心间——以至于你总是在不断地去梦想它？如果你能为它做点儿事情，那就做吧。这就叫做激情。这也是你应该去做的事情。

　　Sometimes, we treat chasing dreams like a fantasy -- it's easy to do, when things like money and rent and groceries and day jobs come into play. But you don't have to jump off the cliff solo: Start building your wings. Inch toward your dream. One foot in front of the other. Take the step. After all, it's your calling.

　　有时，我们把梦想看成是幻想——当有钱、有租金、有食物、有工作时很容易去做。但是，你也不能不加准备就跳下悬崖：你该先长出自己的翅膀。一点点地朝梦想靠近。一步一步地往前走。往前迈一步吧。毕竟，这是你的使命。

1 random   

adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动

参考例句：

• The list is arranged in a random order.名单排列不分先后。
• On random inspection the meat was found to be bad.经抽查，发现肉变质了。

2 worthy   

adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的

参考例句：

• I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
• There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。

3 contagious   

adj.传染性的，有感染力的

参考例句：

• It's a highly contagious infection.这种病极易传染。
• He's got a contagious laugh.他的笑富有感染力。

4 chomping   

v.切齿，格格地咬牙，咬响牙齿( chomp的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Elizabeth and Lawrence are chomping at the bit to go on vacation. 伊莉莎白和劳伦斯迫不及待要去度假了。 来自互联网
• She was chomping away on a bagel. 她在嘎蹦嘎嘣地啃着一个硬面包圈。 来自互联网

5 syllables   

n.音节( syllable的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a word with two syllables 双音节单词
• 'No. But I'll swear it was a name of two syllables.' “想不起。不过我可以发誓，它有两个音节。” 来自英汉文学 - 双城记

6 implement   

n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行

参考例句：

• Don't undertake a project unless you can implement it.不要承担一项计划，除非你能完成这项计划。
• The best implement for digging a garden is a spade.在花园里挖土的最好工具是铁锹。

7 passionate   

adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的

参考例句：

• He is said to be the most passionate man.据说他是最有激情的人。
• He is very passionate about the project.他对那个项目非常热心。

8 gratitude   

adj.感激，感谢

参考例句：

• I have expressed the depth of my gratitude to him.我向他表示了深切的谢意。
• She could not help her tears of gratitude rolling down her face.她感激的泪珠禁不住沿着面颊流了下来。

9 bucks   

n.雄鹿( buck的名词复数 )；钱；（英国十九世纪初的）花花公子；（用于某些表达方式）责任v.（马等）猛然弓背跃起( buck的第三人称单数 )；抵制；猛然震荡；马等尥起后蹄跳跃

参考例句：

• They cost ten bucks. 这些值十元钱。
• They are hunting for bucks. 他们正在猎雄兔。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 daydreaming   

v.想入非非，空想( daydream的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Stop daydreaming and be realistic. 别空想了，还是从实际出发吧。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Bill was sitting and daydreaming so his mother told him to come down to earth and to do his homework. 比尔坐着空想， 他母亲要他面对现实，去做课外作业。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》