英语美文：美好生活从学会感激开始

 If you are feeling that life just cannot be any worse for you, it can be challenging to think positive thoughts. When we are stressed, depressed¹, upset, or otherwise in a negative state of mind because we perceive² that "bad things" keep happening to us, it is important to shift³ those negative thoughts to something positive. If we don't, 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 assure⁴ you that someone, somewhere is worse 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 situation: 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 outlook⁵ 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，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, glorious⁶ 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 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 don't 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 what 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 good 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 you're grateful for each day. In moments when you're feeling really down, read what you wrote previously⁷. This will help uplift your spirits. 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, the happier you'll 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。

1 depressed   

adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的

参考例句：

• When he was depressed,he felt utterly divorced from reality.他心情沮丧时就感到完全脱离了现实。
• His mother was depressed by the sad news.这个坏消息使他的母亲意志消沉。

2 perceive   

vt.感知，感觉，察觉；意识到，理解

参考例句：

• Did you perceive a red colour or a green one?你看出来是红颜色还是绿颜色？
• I can't perceive any difference between these coins.我看不出这些硬币的区别。

3 shift   

n.交换，变化，移动，接班者；vt.更替，移转，变声；vi.改变，定责，更衣

参考例句：

• Lend me a hand to shift this box,will you?来帮一下忙，把这箱子搬开，好吗？
• A sudden shift in the wind warned of the coming storm.风向的突然改变预示暴风雨来临。

4 assure   

vt.使确信；向…保证，使有保证

参考例句：

• The only ladder to assure success is to work hard.确保成功的惟一途径是刻苦努力。
• I assure you that she can be trusted to do the job.我担保她能做好这项工作。

5 outlook   

n.观点，见解；展望，前景

参考例句：

• The outlook for the economy is bright.经济前景光明。
• Her outlook gradually widens.她的眼光渐渐开阔了。

6 glorious   

adj.美丽的，辉煌的；荣耀的

参考例句：

• It is a glorious thing to die for the people.为人民而死，虽死犹荣！
• We had a glorious time at the seaside.我们在海边度过了愉快的时光。

7 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。