I believe in the upward look. I choose to highlight the positive and slip right over the negative. I am an optimist by choice as much as by nature. Sure, I know that sorrow exists. I am in my 70's now, and I've lived through more than one crisis. But when all is said and done, I find that the good in life is far greater and more important than the bad.
我信守积极向上的原则。对积极的东西我浓墨重彩,对消极的东西则一笔带过。我是乐天派,既是天生如此,也因后天选择所致。诚然,我知道生命中会有伤痛。我已经七十多岁了,经历过不止一次的危机。但是,当一切尘埃落定,我发现生命中的美好远比丑恶多。
An optimistic attitude is not a luxury; it's a necessity. The way you look at life will determine how you feel, how you perform, and how well you will get along with other people. Conversely, negative thoughts, attitudes, and expectations feed on themselves; they become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Pessimism creates a sad and hopeless place which no one wants to live in.
乐观的态度不是奢侈品,它是我们生活的必需品。你看待生活的方式将决定你的感受、你的表现以及你与他人相处得怎样。反过来,悲观的想法、态度和期待也会自成因果:它们是能自我实现的预言。悲观会制造出无人愿往的黑暗之地。
Years ago, I drove into a service station to get some gas. It was a beautiful day, and I was feeling great. As I walked into the station to pay for the gas, the attendant said to me, "How do you feel?" That seemed like an odd question, but I felt fine and told him so. "You don't look well," he replied. This took me completely by surprise. A little less confidently, I told him that I had never felt better. Without hesitation, he continued to tell me how bad I looked and that my skin appeared yellow.
多年前,我驱车去一个加油站加油。那天天气很好,我的心情也不错。当我走进加油站付油钱时,服务员问我:“你感觉怎样?”这问题有点古怪,不过,我感觉很好,于是便照实回答了他。“你脸色不好,”他回答。这话让我大吃一惊。我告诉他我的感觉从未像现在这么好,但已不像开始那么底气十足了,而他则毫无顾忌地继续大讲我的气色如何差,还说我肤色发黄。