1、来自内心的礼物The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.- Eric Hoffer世界上最难的算术题是如何清点我们的祝福。According to legend, a young man while roaming the desert came across a spring of delicious crystal-clear water. The water was so sweet, he filled his leather canteen so he could
2、bring some back to a tribal elder who had been his teacher. 据传说，一个年轻的男子在漫游沙漠途中看到一泉如水晶般清澈而可口的水。水的味道非常甜美，于是他灌满了他的皮水壶，这样就可以带一些回去，送给曾经是他老师的部落长老。After a four-day journey he presented the water to the old man who took a deep drink, smiled warmly and thanked his student lavishly for the sweet water. The yo
3、ung man returned to his village with a happy heart. 经过四天的旅程，他把水呈献给老人。老人深饮一口，和蔼地笑了笑，并深切感激学生赠予他甜美的水。年轻人怀着愉快的心情回到了村庄。Later, the teacher let another student taste the water. He spat it out, saying it was awful. It apparently had become stale because of the old leather container.后来，老师让他的另一个学生品尝水。学生吐了出来，说
4、水太难喝了。它显然已经因为陈旧的皮革容器而变得不再新鲜。The student challenged his teacher: “Master, the water was foul. Why did you pretend to like it?“学生质疑他的老师：“师父，水是臭的，你为什么要假装喜欢它？”The teacher replied, “You only tasted the water. I tasted the gift. The water was simply the container for an act of loving-kindness and nothing
5、could be sweeter.“老师回答说，“你只品尝了水的味道，我却是在品尝礼物的味道。水仅仅是装载善与爱之行为的容器，而没有什么东西比善与爱更甜美了。”I think we understand this lesson best when we receive innocent gifts of love from young children. Whether its a ceramic tray or a macaroni bracelet, the natural and proper response is appreciation and expressed thankful
6、ness because we love the idea within the gift.我认为当我们从天真的孩子们那里收到爱的礼物时，能够最透彻地明白这个道理。无论它是一个陶瓷托盘或通心粉手镯，我们自然而恰当的反应是欣赏，并表示感激，因为我们喜欢礼物所包含的心意。Gratitude doesnt always come naturally. Unfortunately, most children and many adults value only the thing given rather than the feeling embodied in it. We should remi
7、nd ourselves and teach our children about the beauty and purity of feelings and expressions of gratitude. After all, gifts from the heart are really gifts of the heart.感恩并不总是自然而来的。不幸的是，大多数儿童和成人只看重被赠予的东西本身，而不是它体现的情谊。我们应该提醒自己，并教导我们的孩子，感情和对感激之情的表达是美丽而纯洁的。毕竟，发自内心给与的礼物才是真正的礼物。美好生活从学会感激开始If you are feelin
8、g that life just cannot be any worse for you, it can be challenging to think positive thoughts. When we are stressed, depressed, upset, or otherwise in a negative state of mind because we perceive that “bad things“ keep happening to us, it is important to shift those negative thoughts to something p
9、ositive. If we dont, we will only attract more “bad things.“如果你感觉生活对你来说实在是糟糕之极，你可以挑战着想些积极的东西。当我们不堪重负、沮丧、失落，抑或因为我们认为倒霉的事总是光临我们而处于消极状态时，将这些消极的思想转变为积极的至关重要。如果我们不这么做，只会招致更多的霉运。It is often very hard to think positive when so many things are negative, but I can assure you that someone, somewhere is worse
10、off than you. We can choose to think differently by beginning with the smallest of steps.有如此之多消极因素还要想些积极的东西，通常情况下这很难，但我可以保证，在某个地方有人比你情况还糟。我们可以换种方式，一步一步细细思考那些消极的东西。If you start with one small, positive thing and repeat it during the course of your day, you will begin to move into a more positive situ
11、ation: positive thoughts, feelings, opportunities and people will start showing up in your life. With practice, you will find that over time, you will change your outlook and choose to be happy, irregardless of the events around you.从一件积极的小事情开始，并且一整天就一直重复想着，你将进入一个更加积极的状态：积极的思想、情感、机遇、人们开始装扮你的人生。这样练下去
12、，很快你会发现你将改变你的观点，选择快乐的生活，而不在意周围那些琐事。Here are a few examples for you to practice. Say them out loud and with feeling!下面有一些方法供你选择练习。要有感情的把它们大声说出来。1. Begin and end each day with a “Thank you for this wonderful, glorious day!“在每一天开始和结束的时候，说一句“感谢这么一个愉快的一天”。2. When you see the gas prices hiking, say “I am
13、so glad that I am blessed to have a vehicle in which to get around.“燃气价格高涨的时候，说“我很高兴我至少还有着这辆车可以到处兜风。”3. When you are late for work, say “I am so happy and grateful for my job as I know that many dont have one.“上班迟到时，说“我很幸福并感激我的工作，因为我知道很多人还没有工作。”4. If you are having health problems, be grateful for w
14、hat does work: “I really do appreciate my eyes that see, my ears that hear, my mouth that tastes, my legs that walk, my arms that lift, my hands that write, my mind that thinks, my knees that bend and my tongue that talks.“ The possibilities here are endless: insert what does work for you and feel g
15、ood about it!如果你的健康出了问题，对目前所拥有的要心存感激：“我真的感激我的眼睛还能看，我的耳朵还能听，我的嘴还能品味，我的双腿还能行走，我的双臂还能抬起，我的双手还能写字，我还能思考，我的双膝还能弯曲，我还能说话”。这儿有无穷尽的种种可能：珍惜你所拥有的，并善待它们！5. Write down what youre grateful for each day. In moments when youre feeling really down, read what you wrote previously. This will help uplift your spirits.
16、 If you practice this regularly, you will find that your list will get longer and longer.记下每天让你感激的事，每当你失落的时候，读一读你曾经写下的心情，这会让你从新振作起来。经常这样练习去，你会发现你所感激的东西越来越多。The key is to move yourself into a positive thought and keep it there long enough to make it a moment of blissful peace. The more you practice,
17、the happier youll be.转为积极情绪并长久保持着这种状态的关键在于为自己创造幸福、宁静的一刻。练的越多，你就越幸福。旅人的家People need homes: children assume their parents place as home; boarders call school “home“ on weekdays; married couples work together to build new homes; and travelers have no place to call “home“, at least for a few nights.人人都需
18、要家：小孩子把父母的住所当做自己的家；寄宿生在平日把学校称为“家”；结了婚的夫妻要共同营造自己的新家；至于旅者呢至少有几晚他们要住在不能称为“家”的地方！So how about people who have to travel for extended periods of time? Dont they have the right to a home? Of course they do. 那么那些不得不长期出门在外的人怎么办？难道他们无权拥有一个家吗？他们当然有Some regular travelers take their own belongings: like bed she
19、ets, pillowcases and family photos to make them feel like home no matter where they are; some stay for long periods in the same hotel and as a result become very familiar with service and attendants; others may simply put some flowers by the hotel window to make things more homely. Furthermore, driv
20、ing a camping car during ones travels and sleeping in the vehicle at night is just like home - only mobile! 有些经常出门的旅者会随身携带些属于自己的日用品，像床单、枕套或全家福相片等，无论走到哪里，这些东西都能带给他们家的感觉；有些人在长驻时会待在同一家旅馆里，使他们对店里的服务和人员都非常熟稔；再有的就可能只是在旅馆的窗边摆些花，使房间更像个家。此外，一路开着露营车旅行，晚上就住在车里，这就更像是真正的家了只不过能移动而已！And how about maintaining relat
21、ionships while in transit? Some keep contact with their friends via internet; some send letters and postcards, or even photos; others may just call and say hi, just to let their friends know that theyre still alive and well. People find ways to keep in touch. Making friends on the way helps traveler
22、s feel more or less at home. Backpackers in youth hostels may become very good friends, even closer than siblings.那人们在旅程穿梭时，又是如何维系关系的呢？有些人通过互联网跟朋友联络；有些人寄信、明信片，甚至照片；还有些人可能只是打个电话问声好，目的仅是让朋友们知道他们还活着，而且活得不错。人们发现了各种各样的联络方式。在旅途中交朋友能帮旅者或多或少地找到一点家的感觉。青年旅店里的背包客也许会成为非常要好的朋友，甚至比手足还要亲！Nowadays, fewer people are
23、 working in their local towns, so how do they develop a sense of belonging? Whenever we step out of our local boundaries, there is always another “home“ waiting to be found. Wherever we are, with just a little bit of effort and imagination, we can make the place we stay “home“. 如今，大多数人都是离乡在外工作，那么人们又
24、如何能有归属感呢？一旦我们走出家门，就总有另一个“家”在等着我们去寻找。不论身处何处，只要稍加努力和想像，我们就能把栖身之地营造成一个“家”！面朝大海，春暖花开From tomorrow on,I will be a happy man.从明天起，做一个幸福的人Grooming,chopping and traveling all over the world.喂马，劈柴，周游世界From tomorrow on,I will care foodstuff and vegetable.从明天起，关心粮食和蔬菜Living in a house towards the sea, with spr
25、ing blossoms.我有一所房子，面朝大海，春暖花开From tomorrow on,write to each of my dear ones.从明天起，和每一个人通信Telling them of my happiness.告诉他们我的幸福What the lightening of happiness has told me.那幸福的闪电告诉我的I will spread it to each of them.我将告诉每一个人Give a warm name for every river and every mountain.给每一条河每一座山取一个温暖的名字Strangers,
26、I will also wish you happy.陌生人，我也为你祝福May you have a brilliant future!愿你有一个灿烂的前程May you lovers eventually become spouses!愿有情人终成眷属May you enjoy happiness in this earthly world!愿你们在尘世获得幸福I only wish to face the sea, with spring blossoms.我只愿面朝大海，春暖花开Remembering why we are doing something记住我们为什么做某事Someti
27、mes I forget why Im doing, what Im doing. 有时候我忘了为什么我在做，我在做什么。Have you ever done that? 你曾有过这种经历吗？Im not just talking about a memory problem, although thats possible too. 我并不仅仅是在谈论记忆问题，虽然那也是有可能的。I have called someone because I want to tell them something. 我曾经打电话给某人，因为我想告诉他们什么。And then, after just choo
28、sing the place for a while, not talking about anything particular.然后，在选择合适的地方后，还没有谈论什么特别的东西的时候。Well, I forget why I called that person in the first place. 哦，我忘记了自己为什么要首先给那人打电话。Thats a memory problem. 这是一个记忆问题。I guess that counts too. 我想那很重要。But Im talking about a deeper problem, a bigger, why? 但我在谈论
29、一个更深层次的问题，而且更为重要，那就是为什么？At one point, there was a reason we do something. 在某一个时期， 我们做某事会有一个理由。For long-term projects, we need to remind ourselves of that reason. 对于长期项目，我们需要提醒自己原因。Its always could to ask ourselves why. 总是可以问问自己为什么。Why did I start to learn a language? 为什么我开始学习一种语言？Why did I join this
30、 club? 为什么我加入这个俱乐部？Why my friend was this person? 为什么我的朋友是这个人？Why did I get married? 为什么我要结婚？If we get lost in the doing, in the living, in the everyday of being, then we can not say why. 如果我们迷失在做什么，在生命中，在每天的存在，那么我们不能说为什么。I think we need indeed remind us of why. 我想我们需要确实提醒自己为什么。Or else its tough to
31、finish what we started. 否则很难完成我们所开始的。We stop starting. We quit the club. 我们停止开始。我们退出俱乐部。We end our friendships. Our marriages get damaged. 我们结束我们的友谊。我们的婚姻出现裂痕。Theres nothing wrong with asking why. 问为什么没什么问题。In fact, sometimes I think it can be very healthy and help we appreciate what you have and wh
32、at you are doing. 事实上，我认为有时候它会很健康的帮助我们珍惜所拥有的及正在做的事情。Talk about it. 谈论下面的话题：Is there something you are doing but youve forgotten why you starting it? 你有过正在做某事但是你忘了为什么开始的经历吗？Is it a kind of distant memory? 它是一种遥远的记忆？Did you ever forget why you are doing something. 你曾经忘记你为什么做某事How do you remind yoursel
33、f why you are doing something? 你如何提醒自己为什么会做某事吗？Do you write memos? 你写备忘录吗？Does your mind ever go blank and yourself may forget what you are doing? 你有过头脑空空而自己也许忘记你正在做什么的经历吗？What are some other methods for you to prevent yourself from forgetting? 还有其他的方法来防止你忘记吗？What do you do when you see someone that
34、 you know, but have forgotten his name? 你看到认识的某人，却忘记了名字，这种情况下你会怎么办？Freedom Choice and Responsibility自由 选择 责任I love choices. 我爱选择。I love to walk around in bookstores-not because I can buy all the books, 我喜欢在书店里徜徉，不是因为我能买下所有的书，but because I could buy one book, and I have so many to choose from. 而是因为我可
35、以买一本书，我有这么多的选择。I like buffets. 我还喜欢自助餐。I rarely get to go to them, but when I do, 虽然我很少去，但是当我去的时候，the first thing I do is walk around and see what the choice are. 我做的第一件事就是四处逛逛，看看有什么选择。I also like the internet. 我还喜欢互联网。It seems like cyberspace really doesnt have any limits. 看来网络真的没有任何限制。There are so
36、 many things to discover- like space. 有这么多的东西等待发比如空间。Sometimes, I think we dont appreciate the freedom that we have. 有时候，我觉得我们不喜欢我们拥有的自由。We are free to make many different choice. 我们可以自由地做出许多不同的选择。From the food we eat- to the places we visit- to the people we meet- to the classes we take and on and
37、on and on. 从我们所吃的食物到我们去的地方，我们见的人，我们所上的课程等等。But freedom has dangers. If misused, it can be harmful. 但自由也有危险。如果滥用，将会带来危害。I could pile a mountain of food on my plate and NOT to eat it. 我可以将山一样的食物堆在我的盘子里，而我则不去吃它。It would be a waste. But thats a choice I have. 它会是一种浪费。但这是一个选择。The Internet has dangers, to
38、o. 互联网也有危险。If parents are not careful and dont supervise what their kids can see- well kids can lose some of their innocence because of freedom. 如果父母对他们的孩子所看到的不留神也不监督，那么孩子们会因为自由而失去一些他们的无辜的。Theres a reason for legal age limits when it comes to driving, gambling, drinking,somking, andvoting. 当涉及驾车、赌博、
39、酗酒、吸烟、和投票时法律会有年龄的限制。Until we reach that age, we arent free to do those things. 直到我们到了那个年岁，否则我们去做那些事将不会被赋予自由。Life throws a brick at your head 放慢你的脚步A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street， going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out f
40、rom between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something.一位年轻的总裁，以有点快的车速，开着他的新 Jaguar 经过住宅区的巷道。他必须小心游戏中的孩子突然跑到路中央，所以当他觉得小孩子快跑出来时，就要减慢车速。As his car passed， one child appeared， and a brick smashed into the Jags side door. He slammed on the brakes and spun the Jag back to the spot from
41、where the brick had been thrown.就在他的车经过一群小朋友的时候，一个小朋友丢了一块砖头打到了他的车门，他很生气的踩了煞车并后退到砖头丢出来的地方。He jumped out of the car, grabbed some kid and pushed him up against a parked car， shouting， “What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing?“Building up a head of steam， he went on“Th
42、ats a new car and that brick you threw is gonna cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?“他跳出车外，抓了那个小孩，把他顶在车门上说：“你为什么这样做，你知道你刚刚做了什么吗？” 接着又吼道：“ 你知不知道你要赔多少钱来修理这台新车，你到底为什么要这样做？”“Please， mister， please， Im sorry. I didnt know what else to do!”pleaded the youngster.“ Its my brother，“ he said. “He rolled of
43、f the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I cant lift him up.小孩子求着说：“先生，对不起，我不知道我还能怎么办？” 他接着说：“ 因为我哥哥从轮椅上掉下来，我没办法把他抬回去。”Sobbing， the boy asked the executive， “Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? Hes hurt and hes too heavy for me.“那男孩啜泣着说：“你可以帮我把他抬回去吗？他受伤了，而且他太重了我抱不动。”Moved
44、 beyond words， the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He lifted the young man back into the wheelchair and took out his handkerchief and wiped the scrapes and cuts， checking to see that everything was going to be okay.这些话让这位年轻的总裁深受感动，他抱起男孩受伤的哥哥，帮他坐回轮椅上。并拿出手帕擦拭他哥哥的伤口，以确定
45、他哥哥没有什么大问题。“Thank you， sir. And God bless you，“ the grateful child said to him. The man then watched the little boy push his brother to the sidewalk toward their home.那个小男孩感激地说：“谢谢你，先生，上帝保佑你。” 然后他看着男孩推着他哥哥回去。It was a long walk backs to his Jaguar. a long， slow walk. He never did repair the side door
46、. He kept the dent to remind him not to go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention.年轻总裁返回 Jaguar 的路变的很漫长，他也没有修他汽车的侧门。他保留着车上的凹痕就是提醒自己。生活的道路不要走的太匆忙，否则需要其他人敲打自己来注意生活的真谛。Life whispers in your soul and speaks to your heart. Sometimes,when you dont have the time
47、 to listen,its your choice: Listen to the whispers of your soul or wait for the brick!当生命想与你的心灵窃窃私语时，若你没有时间，你有两种选择：倾听你心灵的声音或让砖头来砸你！Do you sometimes ignore loved ones because your life is too fast and busy leaving them to wonder whether you really love them?请问你是否曾因为生活太快、太忙碌而忽略了你所爱的人，然后让他们开始开始怀疑起你是不是真
48、的爱他们呢？Free Minds and Hearts at Work 自由思想与心灵的作用At the beginning of the World Series of 1947, I experienced a completely new emotion, when the National Anthem was played.This time, I thought, it is being played for me, as much as for anyone else. This is organized major league baseball, and I am stand
49、ing here with all the others; and everything that takes place includes me.1947 年的世界职业棒球大赛开赛那天，当美国国歌奏响的那一刻，我产生了一种全新的情感。这一次，国歌是为我而奏，就像为其他人奏一样。我终于能和其他人一样，站在职业棒球大联盟球赛的赛场上，成为这一切的一部分。About a year later, I went to Atlanta, Georgia, to play in an exhibition game. On the field, for the first time in Atlanta, there were Negroes and whites. Other Negroes, besides me. And I thought: What I have always believed has come to be.大约一年以后，我参加了在乔治亚州首府亚特兰大举办的一次棒球表演赛。这是亚特兰大的赛场上第一次同时出现白人和黑人运动员。除我之外，还有其他黑人选手。那一刻，我一直坚守的信念终于实现了。And what is it tha
