我们容易遗忘的7个真理

 　　So much happens in our lives every day that we often forget what we have learned.  In effect, the only thing faster than the speed of our thoughts is the speed of our forgetfulness.

　　Here are seven important reminders¹ to jog your memory…

　　1.  Attitude makes all the difference.

　　Two people can be affected² by the same circumstance and respond in completely different ways; it just depends on their perspective.  One might see themselves as a victim, while the other discovers and makes the most of an opportunity the circumstance provides.

　　When you expect life to be unkind, it will always live up to your expectations.  On the other hand, when you consider yourself to be in a fortunate situation, you will find yourself in many more.

　　It’s important to remember that there is value in every situation and circumstance.  Positive possibilities are generated by every possible turn of fate.  No matter what happens or doesn’t happen, life is what you choose to make it.  You just have to choose to make it great.

　　2.  Some sadness is necessary.

　　You cannot completely shield yourself from sadness without also shielding yourself from happiness.  Sadness is part of the journey.  Life is a series of highs and lows – an adventure that requires you to take chances and actions that have the possibility of both success (happiness) and failure (sadness).

　　When you find your path, you must not be afraid to step forward.  You need to have sufficient courage to take chances and fail sometimes.  Disappointment and sadness are the tools life uses to show us the way.

　　In the end, we learn even more from our failures than we do from our successes.  Every step is a step in the right direction.

　　3.  You can’t fight fire with fire.

　　Don’t spew hostile words at those who spew them at you.  Tone it down and replace the stink³ of confrontation⁴ with the fragrance⁵ of resolution.  The louder the opposition⁶ wants to yell, the calmer and more confidently you need to speak.  Keep your composure; don’t let them get to you.

　　Be an example of a pure existence having a pure understanding of reality.  Communicate and express yourself from a place of peace, from a place of love, with the best intentions.  Practice good judgment⁷ in what you say and how you say it, in the thoughts you carry, and in the emotions you reveal.  And most of all, use your voice for good – to inspire, to encourage, to educate, to spread the notions of love and understanding.

　　4.  Everyone struggles in some way.

　　When you deal with your own issues, use your head; when you help others deal with their issues, use your heart.

　　The questions you should be asking yourself:  How much could I possibly know about the troubles in another’s heart?  How much can I hope to understand this person who has suffered from a specific circumstance of pain or disappointment than I have known?

　　And even greater than your ability to inspire them with hope for a brighter future is your capacity to motivate them to directly confront the worst in themselves and deal with it upfront, so they can rediscover and reclaim⁸ the best in themselves over time.

　　5.  Fear always exists.

　　Every new experience triggers a least some fear; and that’s okay.  Fear can help you to assess risk and prepare for all kinds of important, challenging situations.  But first you have to understand that the purpose of fear is not to stop you.

　　Fear helps you evaluate the path forward.  Certainly it is important to pause and look carefully before you move into unknown territory.  However, it is just as important that, after sufficient due diligence and preparation, you do indeed move forward.

　　Let the fear sharpen your awareness⁹, and then let it inspire you to act.  Your success cannot be built by seeking refuge in what is already familiar and comfortable.  You must journey out into the unknown, prepared for the challenges and determined¹⁰ to do whatever is necessary.  The way to get beyond your fear is to go through it.  Do the thing you fear and the fear loses its control over you.

　　6.  Small steps get you to big places.

　　The greatest of all mistakes is to do nothing simply because you can only do a little.  In fact, it is far more productive to take many small steps in the right direction than to make a giant leap only to stumble and fall and never get up again.

　　Bottom line:  The path to every goal requires a hundred small steps – one after the other.  Figure out where you want to go, take a step, and keep on stepping.  Diligence and persistence¹¹ will get you there.

　　7.  You can only change yourself.

　　Don’t wait for someone who hurt you to make it up to you; this kind of thinking only keeps your old wounds from healing.  Waiting for them to change is not the answer.  You have no control over them, and they may never change.

　　Inner peace is found by changing your thinking, not the people who hurt you.  And you change your thinking for yourself, for your joy, your peace of mind, your own understanding, and your bright future that has nothing to do with this person or what they did to you.

　　So forgive those who have hurt you in the past, and even more importantly, forgive yourself for allowing them to hurt you.  Then smile like you’ve never cried, re-open your heart and mind like you’ve never been hurt, and live the rest of your life like you’re running out of time.

1 reminders   

n.令人回忆起…的东西( reminder的名词复数 )；提醒…的东西；（告知该做某事的）通知单；提示信

参考例句：

• The film evokes chilling reminders of the war. 这部电影使人们回忆起战争的可怕场景。
• The strike has delayed the mailing of tax reminders. 罢工耽搁了催税单的投寄。

2 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

3 stink   

vi.发出恶臭；糟透，招人厌恶；n.恶臭

参考例句：

• The stink of the rotten fish turned my stomach.腐烂的鱼臭味使我恶心。
• The room has awful stink.那个房间散发着难闻的臭气。

4 confrontation   

n.对抗，对峙，冲突

参考例句：

• We can't risk another confrontation with the union.我们不能冒再次同工会对抗的危险。
• After years of confrontation,they finally have achieved a modus vivendi.在对抗很长时间后，他们最后达成安宁生存的非正式协议。

5 fragrance   

n.芬芳，香味，香气

参考例句：

• The apple blossoms filled the air with their fragrance.苹果花使空气充满香味。
• The fragrance of lavender filled the room.房间里充满了薰衣草的香味。

6 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

7 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

8 reclaim   

v.要求归还，收回；开垦

参考例句：

• I have tried to reclaim my money without success.我没能把钱取回来。
• You must present this ticket when you reclaim your luggage.当你要取回行李时，必须出示这张票子。

9 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。

10 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

11 persistence   

n.坚持，持续，存留

参考例句：

• The persistence of a cough in his daughter puzzled him.他女儿持续的咳嗽把他难住了。
• He achieved success through dogged persistence.他靠着坚持不懈取得了成功。