Smile At Her Friends
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“I’m so sorry,” said the woman, “but I think you have to go.” She was a pretty brunette with dark eyes and an easy smile. She wore jeans and a green T-shirt that showed off her athletic figure. A pair of sunglasses sat on top of her head like crowns. The man who had been sitting next to me looked up from his phone as she spoke, then turned back around without saying anything.
The woman’s voice was soft but firm; it made sense why he didn’t argue. It wasn’t because they were friends or lovers—they weren’t even close enough for him to be comfortable talking about something personal in front of another person at this point.
They’d only met once before today when he asked if she wanted to get lunch together after work one-day last week. He hadn’t seen her since then, though they exchanged pleasantries every morning and afternoon while waiting for their cars outside the office building where they worked.
He stood up quickly, apologizing again over his shoulder as he walked away toward the street corner. His friend watched him leave until he disappeared into traffic, then took out his own phone to look at something else.
When the light changed and people started walking across the crosswalk, the two women moved closer together. Their shoulders brushed against each other slightly as they passed by. After they left, the man still standing alone stared down at the ground, looking lost.
A few minutes later, my train pulled into the station. As soon as I got onto the platform, I called home to let them know I was running late. My parents would have dinner ready whenever I arrived, which meant I could eat whatever I liked without having to worry about what anyone else thought.
While I waited for the next train, I checked Facebook and Twitter, both of which had been updated recently. There were more than three hundred new posts in total, most of them just link to articles or videos someone shared.
Some people wrote long messages explaining how much they loved a particular song, movie, book, or TV show. Others posted pictures of themselves doing things they enjoyed: eating ice cream cones, playing video games, watching movies, and reading books.
One post read, “My favorite thing is falling asleep with my cat curled up beside me.” Another said, “Today I am grateful for all the people who take care of us when we’re sick, whether it’s our doctors, nurses, or family members. Thank you!” Someone else commented that they wished there was a way to make everyone feel safe.
I scrolled through dozens of these kinds of updates before finally reaching the bottom of the page. There was no longer any news about the shooting, but there was plenty of commentary about the tragedy itself.
Most comments focused on the fact that the shooter was mentally ill rather than the gun control debate, although some did mention the need for better mental health services in the United States.
Many people also expressed outrage about the political inaction surrounding guns and violence in schools, and others questioned the effectiveness of prayer as a response to tragedies such as this one.
As usual, many people used social media to share memories of those who died, including photos and short stories describing their lives and personalities. People talked about how they knew them personally, or how they came to know them online.
For example, one girl thanked the boy whose profile photo she saw on television every night for being kind and caring. A young man posted a picture of himself and several friends holding hands during a school trip to Washington D.C., writing, “We may not always agree on everything, but I hope we can continue to stand united in this time of grief.”
It seemed like everyone had something important to say. We all felt strongly about the events that occurred earlier that day, and we needed somewhere to express ourselves. Social media provided the perfect outlet for sharing our thoughts and feelings, especially now that the police investigation was complete.
Instead of focusing solely on the victims and their families, we were able to talk openly about the issues that led to the shooting. This was good because it allowed us to process what happened and come to terms with the loss of life. In addition, it helped us understand that we were all part of the same community, despite our differences.
In the past, people often stayed quiet about their opinions when tragedy struck. Nowadays, however, we use social media to discuss current events. Our conversations are public and visible to anyone who wants to see them, which means we don’t have to worry about offending or hurting the feelings of others.
If someone doesn’t want to hear what we have to say, they simply scroll past our posts. And if they do comment on our statuses, we can respond directly to them instead of hiding behind anonymous profiles.
Although social media has its benefits, I sometimes wonder if it causes us to lose sight of reality. Even though we’re using platforms designed specifically for connecting people from around the world, it feels like we’ve become too dependent on technology.
We spend so much time interacting with our phones and computers that we forget to connect with real-life people in the flesh. The truth is, none of us knows exactly what goes on inside the minds of others. Sometimes, words aren’t enough to explain our true intentions or emotions.
I’m sure that will change someday, but right now it seems impossible to imagine a future where we’ll be able to communicate easily with people thousands of miles away. When I think back to my childhood, I remember how difficult it was to reach out to distant relatives living overseas.
It wasn’t until email became popular that we began communicating regularly via computer, and even then it took years before I started receiving letters from my cousins in Australia. Today, thanks to modern technology, it only takes seconds to send an instant message, post a status update, or write a letter.
But while it’s easy to get in touch with faraway friends and family, it’s harder to form relationships with people close by.
The reason why is simple. Technology makes it easier to stay connected with people we already know, but it’s hard to build meaningful connections with strangers. That’s partly because we lack common ground; we might live near each other, but we’ve never met face to face.
On top of that, we rarely interact with people outside our immediate circle. As a result, we end up spending less time with people who are different from us and don’t have anything in common except for geography.
That’s unfortunate because diversity breeds creativity and innovation. When we meet new people, we learn more about ourselves and the world around us. By learning about others’ cultures and beliefs, we gain insight into the way things work elsewhere.
And once we understand how the rest of the world functions, we start thinking differently about problems that affect us locally. Of course, it helps to be open-minded and willing to listen to others. However, social media makes it possible to discover information about almost anyone at any time.
Thanks to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, we can find videos, pictures, and articles about just about anything. There’s no need to go looking for news anymore—it comes straight to your phone.
Of course, there are some downsides to this. Some people use social media as a platform for spreading hate speech and false rumors. Others complain incessantly about trivial matters, such as the weather or traffic. Still, others make comments that border on slanderousness.
While these behaviors are annoying, they shouldn’t distract us from the bigger issue: social media encourages us to remain within our comfort zones. We tend to surround ourselves with people who think like us and share similar interests. And although that may seem harmless, it prevents us from expanding our worldview.
A few months ago, I attended a conference hosted by one of my favorite authors. During his presentation, he talked about how technology has changed our lives over the last decade. He explained that people used to read books, newspapers, and magazines, but today most of us prefer to watch television shows online.
At first glance, this shift appears to be beneficial. After all, we’re able to enjoy entertainment whenever and wherever we want. The downside, however, is that we’re losing the ability to concentrate. Instead of reading a book with a cup of coffee in hand, we’re glued to a screen while scrolling through social media feeds.
According to my professor, the problem isn’t limited to millennials. In fact, it affects everyone regardless of age. “We’re experiencing a generation gap,” he said. “Younger generations grew up with smartphones and tablets, whereas older adults were born during a time when technology didn’t exist.”
Although that may sound like an excuse, it’s actually a sign of progress. People in previous decades had to rely on printed materials and radio broadcasts, which meant they couldn’t access information instantly. Because of that, many of them developed strong attention spans. They knew how to focus on one thing without getting distracted.
However, younger generations weren’t raised with those limitations. For better or worse, they learned early on that multitasking is normal behavior. This habit hasn’t always been healthy, especially since the technology gives us countless opportunities to switch between tasks.
According to research conducted by psychologists, we spend approximately half of our waking hours doing something else besides what we originally intended.
That’s not necessarily bad, though. If you think about it, being able to do multiple things at once is a good skill to have. Not long ago, people would have laughed if someone told them they could check their emails while talking to a friend on the phone.
Nowadays, it happens every day. Even so, we should still try to limit distractions. Otherwise, we won’t be able to perform well in school or at work. Moreover, we’ll miss out on important conversations and valuable experiences.
In conclusion, social networking sites aren’t inherently evil. It’s easy to get caught up in the hype surrounding new technologies, but that doesn’t mean we should ignore the potential benefits of using social media. Here’s hoping more companies will recognize the value of building communities instead of simply selling products.
***
My family moved to New York City two years ago. My parents wanted me to attend college here, and I’m grateful for that decision. But moving away from home was difficult. Luckily, my sister helped ease the transition. She lived nearby, which made it much easier to visit her.
Plus, she introduced me to lots of cool places. One of the best things about living in Manhattan is its proximity to nature. Within minutes, I can walk along the Hudson River or take a stroll down Central Park.
I love visiting parks and botanical gardens. Whenever I travel somewhere, I always look for local spots where I can relax and unwind. On my recent trip to Chicago, for example, my friends and I visited Millennium Park.
We spent several hours walking around the area, admiring the sculptures, listening to music, and eating delicious food. Then we went back to our hotel room and watched movies until late at night. That’s why I decided to write about the importance of spending time outdoors.
Many studies show that exposure to green spaces improves mental health. Research suggests that spending time in natural environments reduces stress levels and lowers blood pressure. Studies also suggest that plants help improve concentration and productivity.
As a result, employees who work in offices surrounded by greenery tend to be happier and more productive than those who don’t.
Although I’ve never experienced any negative effects after spending too much time outside, I understand how anxiety attacks feel. When I was fifteen, I started having panic attacks before taking tests. Fortunately, my doctor prescribed medication, and now I rarely experience symptoms.
However, even if you don’t suffer from severe anxiety, it’s smart to avoid stressful situations whenever possible.
For instance, if you know you’re going to meet your boss tomorrow morning, it might make sense to skip the gym and go straight to bed. Similarly, if you’re feeling overwhelmed because you have a lot of assignments due soon, it’s probably a good idea to postpone plans with friends.
Of course, some problems are impossible to solve unless you face them head-on. Nevertheless, it’s wise to prioritize relaxation as often as possible. Otherwise, you risk making yourself sick.
As a student, I sometimes find myself struggling to keep up with everything that needs to be done. Whether I’m studying for exams or working on group projects, there’s usually plenty to do. And unfortunately, I haven’t found a way to manage all these responsibilities effectively.
So far, I’ve tried prioritizing certain activities over others, but nothing seems to work. Maybe I just need to learn to say no.
When I was young, I used to enjoy playing sports. Unfortunately, I stopped exercising regularly when I started high school. At first, I thought I’d only play basketball occasionally. After all, I didn’t want to give up my other extracurriculars like choir practice and volunteering.
In retrospect, however, I realize this wasn’t such a great idea. Although I had fun hanging out with my teammates, I missed out on many opportunities. For one thing, I lost touch with old friends. Also, I developed poor habits, including skipping meals and staying up late. These behaviors eventually led to depression, which affected both my academic performance and physical well-being.
Fortunately, I managed to turn things around. First, I joined an intramural soccer team. This allowed me to stay active without sacrificing my free time. Next, I began practicing yoga regularly. Finally, I cut back on my volunteer commitments. Nowadays, I spend most of my weekends relaxing.
No matter what else I have planned during the week, I always set aside enough time to exercise and eat healthy foods. I’ve noticed that doing so has improved my mood and overall quality of life.
It’s common for students to struggle with time management. Even though I’m currently enrolled in college, I still find myself procrastinating. The problem isn’t that I lack motivation; rather, I get distracted easily. Sometimes I start reading articles online, then forget about my homework altogether.
Other times, I watch videos of cute animals instead of writing papers. If I could figure out a solution, I would definitely use it!
***
The first day of class is exciting, especially if you’re attending college for the very first time. You’ll sit next to people you don’t know, listen to lectures, and try not to fall asleep. It will seem overwhelming at first, but once you adjust to campus life, you won’t miss home anymore.
Just remember: it takes time to become accustomed to new surroundings. Don’t rush things. Instead, focus on enjoying every moment.
In addition to classes, colleges offer numerous activities to participate in. Some schools host dances and concerts. Others provide access to gyms, libraries, movie theaters, art galleries, and cafeterias. Regardless of whether you live on campus or commute, there’s something for everyone.
My university offers dozens of clubs and organizations, ranging from political groups to religious ones. Students can join as many teams and societies as they want. To top it off, universities typically organize trips abroad. By participating in these events, you’ll gain valuable experience while meeting interesting people.
If you’re concerned about fitting in, don’t worry. Most students come from different backgrounds and cultures. They were raised differently than you, so it makes sense that their values differ from yours. Still, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t interact with them.
On the contrary – by getting to know each other better, you’ll discover more similarities between us. Besides, friendships are important, regardless of where we grew up. As long as you’re open-minded, you should have no trouble finding people who share your interests.
***
I recently took a trip to New York City, and I loved exploring its museums, restaurants, and parks. During my visit, I also visited Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and Times Square. However, I enjoyed visiting Central Park the most. It’s huge, beautiful, and full of surprises.
Every time I went there, I saw something new. There are lakes, ponds, fountains, bridges, and even a zoo. Plus, there’s a carousel, a miniature train, and several playgrounds. When I arrived, I expected to see a big grassy area, but I never imagined how much more there was to explore.
I spent hours walking through the park, admiring nature’s beauty. Not surprisingly, I fell in love with the place immediately!
New York City is known for being expensive, but I got lucky. My flight tickets cost less than $300. Then again, I booked them months ahead of time. Luckily, I stayed with a friend from college, who let me crash at her apartment. She paid for food, transportation, and souvenirs.
Overall, I spent under $500. Of course, I splurged on a few items, but I wouldn’t call it extravagant spending. All in all, my vacation was affordable, and I had lots of fun.
This summer, I plan to go hiking near Lake Tahoe. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to afford a plane ticket yet. Therefore, I might need to drive down to California. Thankfully, gas prices aren’t too high right now. Otherwise, I’d be forced to reconsider my plans.
Nevertheless, I’m determined to make it happen. After all, I’ve saved money over the past year, and I’ll continue working hard until I reach my goal. Wish me luck!
***
After years of struggling financially, I finally decided to change my lifestyle. Rather than buying clothes and accessories, I started saving my cash. Whenever I wanted something, I asked myself “Do I really need this?” If the answer was yes, I bought it.
In other words, I made a conscious effort to avoid impulsive purchases. Over time, I learned how to resist temptation. Today, I rarely feel tempted to buy anything unnecessary. I guess you could say I’ve grown wiser since childhood!
My parents used to spoil me when I was young, which led to bad habits later on. For example, I always felt entitled to nice things. Nowadays, I realize that material possessions don’t bring happiness. What matters is family, friends, and experiences.
These days, I spend my free time volunteering. This way, I help others without feeling guilty. I enjoy helping those in need, and it feels good knowing I did something positive. Moreover, I meet amazing people along the way!
As far as finances go, my savings account has improved drastically over time. Thanks to my efforts, I managed to save enough to take a dream vacation. Last month, I traveled to Paris, France. The city stole my heart, and I couldn’t wait to return.
Although I didn’t stay for very long, I still experienced all the best parts of the French capital. I walked around Montmartre, ate delicious crepes, and drank wine at sidewalk cafes. I also visited the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum. Needless to say, I had an unforgettable adventure!
The End