經典英文美文（整理16篇）

本站小編為你精心整理了16篇《經典英文美文》的範文，但願對你的工作學習帶來幫助，希望你能喜歡！當然你還可以在本站搜索到更多與《經典英文美文》相關的範文。

篇一：經典美文英文

經典美文英文

經典美文，聽寫——讓心情舒暢！每天上午10點準時與大家相見。Hints:Southern Africarly African American: Jumping the Broom In the times of slavery in this country, African American couples were not allowed to formally marry and live together. To make a public declaration of their love and commitment, a man and woman jumped over a broom into matrimony, to the beat of drums. The broom has long held significant meaning for the various Africans, symbolizing, the start of home - making for the newlywed couple. In Southern Africa, the day after the wedding, the bride assisted the other women in the family in sweeping the courtyard, indicating her dutiful willing ness to help her in-laws with housework till the newlyweds could move to their new home. Some African-American couples today are choosing to include this symbolic rite in their wedding ceremony.早期非洲裔美國人：跳掃帚在美國的黑奴時代，黑人男女是不允許正式結婚生活在一起的。為了向世人宣佈他們的.愛情和婚約，一對黑人男女和着鼓聲的節奏，一起跳過一把掃帚。（掃帚對各種非洲人長期來都具有很重要的意義，因為它意味着新婚夫婦組成家庭的開始。在南部非洲，新娘在婚後的第一天要幫助夫家的其他女性清掃院子，以此表明在住進自己的新家前，她願意盡職地幫助丈夫的家人承擔家務勞動。）直至今日，一些美國黑人還在他們的婚禮上舉行這種象徵性的儀式。這篇材料你能聽出多少？點擊這裏做聽寫，提高外語水平>>

篇二：經典英文美文

經典英文美文推薦

英文：

An ancient Hebrew text says,“ Love is as strong as death.” It seems that not everyone experiences this kind of strong love. The increase in poverty, crime and war tells us that the world is in desperate need of true love. But what is true love?Love is something we all need but how do we know when we've experienced it? True love is best seen as devotion and action, not an emotion. Love is not exclusively based on how we feel. Certainly our emotions are involved, but they cannot be our only criteria for love.

翻譯：

古希伯來語中有這麼一句話：“愛如死般堅強。”顯然不是每個人都能體驗到如此濃烈的'深愛，在我們的生存之地，貧窮在擴散，罪惡在曼延，戰爭在塗炭生靈。這一切都表明，世界迫切需要真愛。但到底什麼才是真愛呢？人們渴求愛，但我們怎樣才可以確信我們體驗到了它的存在呢？真愛應該是一種奉獻精神，是一種勝過言語的奉獻行為，而不是僅僅建築在我們感覺上的一種激情。愛當然離不開激情，但那絕不是我們衡量愛的唯一標準。

篇三：英文短篇美文

Chinese Women Volleyball Team

It all began in June, 1976, when the new China National Women's Volleyball Team was formed. It wasn't easy, as the world of volleyball was dominated either by the Western teams which were characterized by their power and height, or by the more versatile Eastern teams (e.g. Japan) which are know for their speed and skill.

But the new team had two features that became important for their later success: Hope and a good coach. Yue Wai Man, 37 at that time, was named the head coach of the team. His unique vision made him realize to be one of the best, you have to learn what makes them the best. Therefore, a unique style combining speed, height, power and skill was developed.

Being the best of Asia was only the first step. Our beloved Chinese ladies knew full well what has been waiting for them next.

I really hope our Chinese Women Volleyball Team can win the gold again.

篇四：英文美文短篇

And what shall I do with this last precious day which remains in my keeping? First, I will seal up its container of life so that not one drop spills itself upon the sand. I will waste not a moment mourning yesterday's misfortunes, yesterday's defeats, yesterday's aches of the heart, for why should I throw good after bad?

Can sand flow upward in the hour glass? Will the sun rise where it sets and set where it rises? Can I relive the errors of yesterday and right them? Can I call back yesterday's wounds and make them whole? Can I become younger than yesterday? Can I take back the evil that was spoken, the blows that were struck, the pain that was caused? No. Yesterday is buried forever and I will think of it no more.

And what then shall I do? Forgetting yesterday neither will I think of tomorrow. Why should I throw note after maybe? Can tomorrow's sand flow through the glass before today's? Will the sun rise twice this morning? Can I perform tomorrow's deeds while standing in today's path? Can I place tomorrow's gold in today's purse? Can tomorrow's child be born today? Can tomorrow's death cast its shadow backward and darken today's joy? Should I concern myself over events which l may never witness? Should I torment myself with problems that may never come to pass? No! Tomorrow lies buried with yesterday, and I will think of it no more.

I will live this day as if it is my last.

This day is all I have and these hours are now my eternity. I greet this sunrise with cries of joy as a prisoner who is reprieved from death. I lift mine arms with thanks for this priceless gift of a new day. So too, I will beat upon my heart with gratitude as I consider all who greeted yesterday's sunrise who are no longer with the living today. I am indeed a fortunate man and today's hours are but a bonus, undeserved. Why have I been allowed to live this extra day when others, far better than I, have departed? Is it that they have accomplished their purpose while mine is yet to be achieved? Is this another opportunity for me to become the man I know I can be? Is there a purpose in nature? Is this my day to excel?

I will live this day as if it is my last.

I have but one life and life is naught but a measurement of time. When I waste one I destroy the other. If I waste today I destroy the last page of my life. Therefore, each hour of this day will I cherish for it can never return. It cannot be banked today to be withdrawn on the morrow, for who can trap the wind? Each minute of this day will I grasp with both hands and fondle with love for its value is beyond price. What dying man can purchase another breath though he willingly give all his gold? What price dare I place on the hours ahead? I will make them priceless!

I will live this day as if it is my last.

I will avoid with fury the killers of time. Procrastination I will destroy with action; doubt I will bury under faith; fear I will dismember with confidence. Where there are idle mouths I will listen not; where there are idle hands I will linger not; where there are idle bodies I will visit not. Henceforth I know that to court idleness is to steal food, clothing, and warmth from those I love. I am not a thief. I am a man of love and today is my last chance to prove my love and my greatness.

I will live this day as if it is my last.

The duties of today I shall fu1fill today. Today I shall fondle my children while they are young; tomorrow they will be gone, and so will I. Today I shall embrace my woman with sweet kisses; tomorrow she will be gone, and so will I. Today I shall lift up a friend in need; tomorrow he will no longer cry for help, nor will I hear his cries. Today I shall give myself in sacrifice and work; tomorrow I will have nothing to give, and there will be none to receive.

I will live this day as if it is my last.

And if it is my last, it will be my greatest monument. This day I will make the best day of my life. This day I will drink every minute to its full. I will savor its taste and give thanks. I will make the every hour count and each minute I will trade only for something of value. I will labor harder than ever before and push my muscles until they cry for relief, and then I will continue. I will make more calls than ever before. I will sell more goods than ever before. I will earn more gold than ever before. Each minute of today will be more fruitful than hours of yesterday. My last must be my best.

I will live this day as if it is my last. And if it is not, I shall fall to my knees and give thanks.

篇五：英文美文短篇

英文美文短篇100字左右

想要學好英語的朋友們應該多看一些英語文章，下面整理了英文美文短篇100字左右，希望對您有幫助~

1.A happy Day

It was sunny and very hot today. I got up early and helped my parents cook breakfast. Then I washed the dishes and cleaned the room. After a short rest I did my homework in the morning. In the afternoon I went swimming in the nearest swimming pool with my friends. It was really cool to swim in such a hot day. I surfed the internet and read a storybook in the evening. I really had a busy and happy day. 今天天氣晴朗比較熱. 我起得很早,幫父母做早飯.然後我洗碗打掃屋子.休息一會後我上午做作業. 下午我和朋友去我家最近的游泳池游泳. 在如此炎熱的夏天游泳的確很棒. 晚上我上網、看故事書.我今天很忙過得很快樂.

2.給筆友的一封信

Dear Lucy

I am very glad to hear from you. Now let me introduce myself to you. My name is Li Lei. I am eleven years old. I am tall with a pair of glasses. Now I am studying at Yuying Primary School. I am in Class One,Grade 5. I like singing and playing the piano very much. I am good at English and Chinese. 很高興收到你的來信.現在讓我介紹我自己.我叫李雷.11歲.我高個子、帶眼鏡. 我在育英國小.我在五年級一班.我非常喜歡唱歌和彈鋼琴.我數學和語文學得都很好.

3.暑假打算

I will have a busy summer vacation. I am going to do my homework every day . I am going to the library to borrow some books and go to the shops to buy some books.I am going to do sports such as playing table tennis, swimming and so on. I am going to visit my grandparents and stay there for a week. I am going to help my parents do some housework. 我暑假會很忙. 我每天要寫作業. 我打算去圖書館去借書、去商店買書.我要做運動,如：打乒乓球、游泳等.我要去看爺爺奶奶並在那住一週.我要幫父母做家務.

4.自我介紹

Hello, everyone. My name is Kelly. I am friendly and honest.I am good at English and maths. I like surfing the internet,playing computer games, watching TV and traveling. I also like playing table tennis and I am good at it ,too. I often play table tennis with my friends on weekends. And I want to be a famous table tennis player when I grow up. What I like most is to see the seagulls flying freely in the sky so I often go to the sea in summer. My favourite colour is white because I think white is symbolize purity. 大家好 我的.名字叫KELLY .我很友好、誠實.我擅長英語和數學. 我愛上網、玩電腦網絡遊戲、看電視 和旅遊.我也喜歡打乒乓球.我經常和朋友們在週末打乒乓球,長大了我想當一個乒乓球運動員.最喜歡在海邊看着海鷗自由自在的飛翔,因此在夏天我經常去海邊.白色是我的最愛.因為我覺得白色是純潔的象徵.

篇六：英文美文短篇

Days get longer and warmer in the spring.

There are new leaves on the trees.

Flowers begin to grow.

Rain makes the grass green and helps the plants grow.

Spring is the time of new life. Nature puts on new clothes in many colors —red, yellow, blue, white, and purple.

Birds build nests in the spring.

Many baby animals appear.

People like to make gardens and farmers plant crops in the fields.

Spring is the season for young love. “In the spring a young man’s thoughts turn to love.” according to an old saying.

The Cat and the Bell (貓和鈴）

There were many mice in a house. The man of the house got a cat. The cat killed many of the mice.

Then the oldest mouse said, “ All mice must come to my hole tonight, and we will think what we can do about this cat.”

All the mice came. Many mice spoke, but none knew what to do. At last a young mouse stood up and said, “We must put a bell on the cat. Then, when the cat comes near, we shall hear the bell and run away and hide. So the cat will not catch any more mice.”

Then the old mouse asked, “ Who will put the bell on the cat?”

No mouse answered.

He waited, but still no one answered.

At last he said, “It is not hard to say things; but it is harder to do them.”

A Woodman came into a forest to ask the Trees to give him a handle for Ax. It seemed so modest a request that the principal tree at once agreed to it, and it was settled among them that the plain, homely Ash should furnish what was wanted.

No sooner had the Woodman fitted the staff to his purpose ,than he began laying about him on all side. felling the whole matter too late, whispered to the Cedar: “the first concession has lost all ;if we has not a sacrificed our humble neighbor, we might have yet stood for ages ourselves.

篇七：英文短篇美文

Looking into the sunset I can't help but notice

that despite her beauty,

a sense of struggle and hopeless surround the sky .

Deep inside you realize that this day is gone,

and everything that It had brought is lost forever.

Every thought,every action,every dream,every hope,

every sight,every sound is gone.

There is no chance of every being returned the same,

exactly the same.

For every moment has a limit to what it can capture,

Every memory has a limit to what it had retrieve.

凝望夕陽，我無法抑止地看到，

無論她是如何的美麗動人，

掙扎和絕望依然縈繞天幕，

內心深處，你明白今日已逝，

它所帶來的一切也永遠消失了，

每一脈思想，每一次行動，每一個夢想，每一線希望，

每一幅景象，每一縷聲音，都消逝而去，

一切都不可能還復如初，

和原來一模一樣，

只因每一個時刻所能捕捉的東西是有限的，

甚至每一段記憶所能緬懷的一切也是有限的。

And the colours in the sky try to entertain us.

one last act with painted smiles,

for they too know that nothing can be done to save the day.

So futile their attempt to comfort our fear of the night.

our horror as we try to find our way,

like children who wanderinto a forest and never return.

I am ingratiatedby the sunset because of

her sensitivity as she tries to push the darkness

back for just a moment more.

But like so many times no avail!

而天空中的綺麗色彩努力讓我們快樂起來，

最後上演的是五彩繽紛的微笑，

因為它們也知曉，做什麼都無法留住時日，

它們想安慰我們對夜的恐懼，而又如此徒勞無益，

雖然恐懼，我們依然尋找出路，

宛若在林中的孩心，彷徨不知歸路，

我滿心歡喜，只因夕陽的敏感，

她竭力將黑暗推回，僅僅為了再多駐留一刻，

可卻猶如以往，一切都無濟於事....

篇八：英文短篇美文

Nearly everybody has a creek in his or her past, a secret waterway where one spent the spring of one’s youth.

幾乎每一個人的過去都流淌着一條小溪,它發源於少年時代,一路潺潺絮語而來。

An old man’s voice weakens as he talks of a boyhood creek in Louisian where he swam and fished. A woman feels suddenly at home again as she remembers catching fish in the creek behind her parents’ house.

一位老人談起他孩提時在路易斯安那故鄉的.小溪裏游泳、釣魚時,語調便柔和起來。一位婦女一想起在她父母屋後的小溪裏捉魚的情景,頓時感到重新回到了故鄉。

My creek wound between Grandfather’s garden and a neighbor’s hillside pasture. Its banks were shaded by cottonwood3 and redwood trees. On hot summer days the clear and cold water flowed over the little beaches where I fished.

我心中的小溪蜿蜒流淌在祖父的花園和鄰居山腰的草地之間,三角葉楊和紅杉將兩岸遮得嚴嚴實實,密不透風。英語美文炎炎夏日,清澈透涼的溪水靜靜地流過散滿礫石的小沙灘,我就在那兒釣魚。

Nothing historic ever happened in these creeks, but they are deep in memory. These creeks are bigger than they seem. They are a part of our hearts and minds more than powerful rivers.

在這些記憶中的小溪裏從來沒有發生過什麼驚天動地的大事,然而,它們深深紮根於記憶中。它們比看上去要博大得多。與洶湧澎湃的大河相比,小溪更深深地融入我們的大腦和心靈。

While rivers are heavy, creeks are clear, innocent, lively and full of dreams and A child can paddle across them without a parent’s warnings. You can go to it alone, catch fish in it and swing from the ropes along its banks. Creeks belong to childhood, drawing you into a wider world, teaching you the curve of the earth.

大河積澱厚重,深不可測;小溪則清澈、純淨、活潑,充滿了夢想和希望。孩子們不必擔心父母的告誡即可涉水而過。你可以獨自去小溪中捉魚,在岸邊繫上繩子盪鞦韆。小溪屬於童年,將孩子們帶入一個更加廣闊的世界,讓你領略到大地起伏的輪廓。

Poet Robert Frost once wrote: It flows between us, over us and with us. And it is time, strength, tone, light, life and love.

詩人羅伯特·弗羅斯特寫道:”小溪流淌着,在我們之中,在我們之上,跟我們融為一體。小溪是時間、力量、樂曲、光明、生命和愛。“

篇九：英文短篇美文

We all know that the Chinese women volleyball team beat the Serbia to claim the gold medal of the women's volleyball tournament at Rio 2016 Olympic news has convinced us and reassured us that the Spirit of China Woman Volleyball does exist.

It seemed to win the match was not possible for the Chinese team, but the girls were very strong and insistented to fight for the last minute. Even they lost the first game, they never gave up.

As the saying goes,”Never give up.” What it implies is that in order to achieve our goals,we should never give up,even when we are in adversity. There is a silver lining and be positive and hopeful in times of I can think of no better illustration of the proverb than the stories of some famous people,such as the story of the famous inventor Edison,who argued that genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent we all know,Edison invented the light things are difficult before they become it follows that whatever we do,we will inevitably encounter difficulties and frustration,even ’s more,in time of this inevitable darkness,it is fruitless to curse or complain;rather be positive and to get ready for the tive thinking will let us do everything better than negative thinking light comes with opportunity,a positive attitude is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results.

In conclusion,I think we should always keep the three words “Never Give Up” in mind, keep a positive thinking and silver lining will be the best assurance all should try our best to pursue our dreams.

篇十：短篇英文美文

A man may usually be known by the books he reads as well as by the company he keeps; for there is a companionship of books as well as of men; and one should always live in the best company, whether it be of books or of men.

A good book may be among the best of friends. It is the same today that it always was, and it will never change. It is the most patient and cheerful of companions. It does not turn its back upon us in times of adversity or distress. It always receives us with the same kindness; amusing and instructing us in youth, and comforting and consoling us in age.

Men often discover their affinity to each other by the mutual love they have for a book just as two persons sometimes discover a friend by the admiration which both entertain for a third. There is an old proverb, ‘Love me, love my dog.” But there is more wisdom in this:” Love me, love my book.” The book is a truer and higher bond of union. Men can think, feel, and sympathize with each other through their favorite author. They live in him together, and he in them.

A good book is often the best urn of a life enshrining the best that life could think out; for the world of a man’s life is, for the most part, but the world of his thoughts. Thus the best books are treasuries of good words, the golden thoughts, which, remembered and cherished, become our constant companions and comforters.

Books possess an essence of immortality. They are by far the most lasting products of human effort. Temples and statues decay, but books survive. Time is of no account with great thoughts, which are as fresh today as when they first passed through their author’s minds, ages ago. What was then said and thought still speaks to us as vividly as ever from the printed page. The only effect of time have been to sift out the bad products; for nothing in literature can long survive e but what is really good.

Books introduce us into the best society; they bring us into the presence of the greatest minds that have ever lived. We hear what they said and did; we see the as if they were really alive; we sympathize with them, enjoy with them, grieve with them; their experience becomes ours, and we feel as if we were in a measure actors with them in the scenes which they describe.

The great and good do not die, even in this world. Embalmed in books, their spirits walk abroad. The book is a living voice. It is an intellect to which on still listens.

篇十一：短篇英文美文

It is not difficult to imagine a world short of ambition. It would probably be a kinder world: with out demands, without abrasions, without disappointments. People would have time for reflection. Such work as they did would not be for themselves but for the collectivity. Competition would never enter in. conflict would be eliminated, tension become a thing of the past. The stress of creation would be at an end. Art would no longer be troubling, but purely celebratory in its functions. Longevity would be increased, for fewer people would die of heart attack or stroke caused by tumultuous endeavor. Anxiety would be extinct. Time would stretch on and on, with ambition long departed from the human heart.

Ah, how unrelieved boring life would be!

There is a strong view that holds that success is a myth, and ambition therefore a sham. Does this mean that success does not really exist? That achievement is at bottom empty? That the efforts of men and women are of no significance alongside the force of movements and events now not all success, obviously, is worth esteeming, nor all ambition worth cultivating. Which are and which are not is something one soon enough learns on one’s own. But even the most cynical secretly admit that success exists; that achievement counts for a great deal; and that the true myth is that the actions of men and women are useless. To believe otherwise is to take on a point of view that is likely to be deranging. It is, in its implications, to remove all motives for competence, interest in attainment, and regard for posterity.

We do not choose to be born. We do not choose our parents. We do not choose our historical epoch, the country of our birth, or the immediate circumstances of our upbringing. We do not, most of us, choose to die; nor do we choose the time or conditions of our death. But within all this realm of choicelessness, we do choose how we shall live: courageously or in cowardice, honorably or dishonorably, with purpose or in drift. We decide what is important and what is trivial in life. We decide that what makes us significant is either what we do or what we refuse to do. But no matter how indifferent the universe may be to our choices and decisions, these choices and decisions are ours to make. We decide. We choose. And as we decide and choose, so are our lives formed. In the end, forming our own destiny is what ambition is about.

篇十二：英文經典短篇美文

He met her at a party. She was outstanding; many guys were after her, but nobody paid any attention to him. After the party, he invited her for coffee. She was surprised. So as not to appear rude, she went along.

他在一次晚會上遇見了她。她很迷人，有很多男孩子追求，但是卻沒有任何人注意到他。晚會結束後，他請她出去喝咖啡，這讓她很吃驚。出於禮貌，她去了。

As they sat in a nice coffee shop, he was too nervous to say anything and she felt uncomfortable. Suddenly, he asked the waiter, ”Could you please give me some salt? I'd like to put it in my coffee.“

他們坐在一家幽雅的咖啡店裏。他緊張得説不出話來，而她也感到很拘束。突然，他叫來服務生，説道：“給我在咖啡里加點鹽，好嗎?”

They stared at him. He turned red, but when the salt came, he put it in his coffee and drank. Curious, she asked, ”Why put salt in the coffee?“ He explained, ”When I was a little boy, I lived near the sea. I liked playing on the seaside ... I could feel its taste salty, like salty coffee. Now every time I drink it, I think of my childhood and my hometown. I miss it and my parents, who are still there.“

她和服務生都看着他。他臉紅了，鹽端上來了，他往咖啡裏放了一些，喝了起來。她好奇地問：“為什麼在咖啡裏放鹽呢?”他解釋説：“小時候，我住在海邊，喜歡在那裏玩耍……海水是鹹的，就像這杯鹹咖啡。每次喝咖啡時，我就想起了童年和家鄉。我懷念這種味道，想念那裏的父母親。”

She was deeply touched. A man who can admit that he's homesick must love his home and care about his family. He must be responsible.

她被深深地感動了。一個有思鄉情結的男人一定很愛家，很關心家人。他一定是值得信賴的。

She talked too, about her faraway hometown, her childhood, her family. That was the start to their love story.

於是，她也談起了遙遠的家鄉，她的童年和家人。他們的愛情故事就這樣拉開了帷幕。

They continued to date. She found that he met all her requirements. He was tolerant, kind, warm and careful. And to think she would have missed the catch if not for the salty coffee!

之後，他們常常約會。她發現他寬容、善良、熱情而細心，這些正符合她的標準。她想，若不是那杯鹹咖啡，她或許就錯過了他。

So they married and lived happily together. And every time she made coffee for him, she put in some salt, the way he liked it.

最後，他們結婚了，幸福地生活在一起。每每給他衝咖啡時，她總會放些鹽，因為他喜歡喝鹹咖啡。

After 40 years, he passed away and left her a letter which said:

40年後，他去世了，留了一封信給她，信中的內容是這樣的：

My dearest, please forgive my life-long lie. Remember the first time we dated? I was so nervous I asked for salt instead of sugar.

親愛的，請原諒我——有一個謊言，我隱瞞了你整整一生。還記得我們的第一次約會嗎?我很緊張，原想要糖，卻説成了鹽。

It was hard for me to ask for a change, so I just went ahead. I never thought that we would hit it off. Many times, I tried to tell you the truth, but I was afraid that it would ruin everything.

再改過來很難，我只好將錯就錯。我從未想過要喝鹹咖啡。許多次，我都想告訴你真相，但又擔心説出來一切會化為泡影。

Sweetheart, I don't exactly like salty coffee. But as it mattered so much to you, I've learnt to enjoy it. Having you with me was my greatest happiness. If I could live a second time, I hope we can be together again, even if it means that I have to drink salty coffee for the rest of my life.

親愛的，我並不喜歡喝鹹咖啡，但你很在乎這個，我已經學着接受它了。與你在一起是我一生最大的幸福。倘若我能重生，我希望還能和你在一起，即使這意味着餘生都要喝鹹咖啡，我也心甘情願。

篇十三：英文經典短篇美文

Catch the star that holds your destiny, the one that forever twinkles within your heart. Take advantage of precious opportunities while they still sparkle before you. Always believe that your ultimate ?goal is attainable as long as you commit yourself to it.

追隨能夠改變你命運的那顆星，那顆永遠在你心中閃爍的明星。當它在你面前閃耀時，抓住這寶貴的機會。請謹記，只要你堅持不懈，最終的目標總能實現。

Though barriers may sometimes stand in the way of your dreams, remember that your destiny is hiding behind them. Accept the fact that not everyone is going to approve of the choices you've made, have faith in your judgment, catch the star that twinkles in your heart, and it will lead you to your destiny's path. Follow that pathway and uncover the sweet sunrises that await you.

儘管實現夢想的途中有時會遇到障礙，要知道這是命運對你的挑戰。不是每個人都會贊成你的選擇，接受這個現實，並相信自我的判斷，追隨那顆在你心中閃爍的明星，它會引領你踏上命運的征途。堅持不懈，你就能享受那些幸福時刻。

Take pride in your accomplishments, as they are stepping stones to your dreams. Understand that you may make mistakes, but don't let them discourage you. Value your capabilities and talents for they are what make you truly unique. The greatest gifts in life are not purchased, but acquired through hard work and determination.

每前進一步，你都應引以為豪，因為它們是你實現夢想的階梯。要知道在這個過程中你也許會犯錯誤，但不要氣餒。珍視自我的潛能，因為它們使你獨一無二。生命中最珍貴的禮物不是花錢買來的，而是通過努力和決心而獲取的。

個人感悟：努力去追尋自己的夢想吧，在追逐的途中你會發現，這一切的努力都是值得珍視的。

篇十四：英文經典短篇美文

I first heard this story a few years ago from a girl I had met in New York's Greenwich Village. Probably the story is one of those mysterious bits of folklore that reappear every few years, to be told a new in one form or another. However, I still like to think that it really did happen, somewhere, sometime.

幾年前我在紐約的格林尼治村從一位遇到的姑娘那兒第一次聽到這個故事。它也許是那種隔幾年就會改頭換面地被重新傳播一次的神奇的民間傳説。然而我仍然願意想象它是個某地某時真正發生過的事。

They were going to Fort Lauderdalethree boys and three girls and when they boarded the bus, they were carrying sandwiches and wine in paper bags, dreaming of golden beaches as the gray cold of New York vanished behind them.

三個男孩和三個女孩帶着紙袋裝的三明治與葡萄酒，登車前往佛羅里達的`勞德達拉要塞。他們嚮往着金色的海灘，將灰濛濛的寒冷的紐約甩在了身後。

As the bus passed through New Jersey, they began to notice Vingo. He sat in front of them, dressed in a plain, ill-fitting suit, never moving, his dusty face masking his age. He kept chewing the inside of his lip a lot, frozen into some personal cocoon of silence.

當他們穿過新澤西州時，坐在前排的一個叫温格的男人引起他們的注意。他穿着一套不起眼亦很不合身的衣服，一動不動，滿臉灰塵掩蓋了他的年齡，他不停地咬着下嘴脣，陷入沉思中。

Deep into the night, outside Washington, the bus pulled into Howard Johnson's, and everybody got off except Vingo. He sat rooted in his seat, and the young people began to wonder about him, trying to imagine his life: perhaps he was a sea captain, a runaway from his wife, an old soldier going home. When they went back to the bus, one of the girls sat beside him and introduced herself.

夜深了，汽車停在華盛頓郊外的霍華德約翰遜連鎖餐館，除了温格，其他人都下了車，他仍一絲不動地坐在那裏。他引起這班年輕人的猜想：也許他是個船長，也許是從家出走的，或者是一個歸家的老兵。當他們又回到車上時，他們中的一個女孩坐到温格的身邊，並向他作了自我介紹。

“We're going to Florida,” she said brightly.“ I hear it's really beautiful.”

“我們都是去佛羅里達的，”那個女孩輕快地説。“我聽説那裏很美。”

“It is, ” he said quietly, as if remembering something he had tried to forget.

“是的，”他靜靜地回答道，他似乎記起了過去曾試圖忘卻的往事。

“Want some wine?” she said. He smiled and took a swig. He thanked her and retreated again into his silence. After a while, she went back to the others, and Vingo nodded in sleep.

“來點葡萄酒吧?”那個女孩説。他微笑着喝了一大口，説聲謝謝後又回到他的沉默中。後來她回到那班人中，温格則低着頭睡着了。

In the morning, they awoke outside another Howard Johnson's,and this time Vingo went in. The girl insisted that he join them. He seemed very shy, and ordered black coffee and smoked nervously as the young people chattered about sleeping on beaches. When they returned to the bus, the girl sat with Vingo again, and after a while, slowly and painfully, he told his story. He had been in jail in New York for the past four years, and now he was going home.

早上，他們醒來時汽車停在另一個約翰遜連鎖餐館前，這回温格也進去了。那個女孩極力邀請他參加他們的團體。但他看起來很靦腆，當那班年輕人談論着在海濱該怎麼過夜時，他則獨自一人呆在一邊喝黑咖啡，還不停地抽煙，顯得有些侷促不安。當他們回到車上時，那個女孩又坐到他身邊，過了一會兒，温格才緩慢而且痛楚地訴説起他的經歷。他在紐約的監獄裏呆了四年，現在他假釋回家了。

“Are you married?”

“你結婚了嗎?”

“I don't know.”

“我不知道。”

“You don't know?” she said.

“你不知道?”那女孩很奇怪。

“Well, when I was in jail I wrote to my wife,” he said. “ I told her that I was going to be away a long time, and that if she couldn't stand it, if the kids kept asking questions, if it hurt too much, well, she could just forget me, I'd understand. Get a new guy, I saidshe‘s a wonderful woman,really somethingand forget about me. I told her she didn't have to write me for nothing. And she didn‘t. Not for three and a half years.”

“是這樣，我在獄中時曾給我妻子寫過一封信”他説，“告訴她我要離開很長一段時間，如果她忍受不了，如果孩子不斷追問，如果這使她非常痛苦，那麼她可以忘了我，我會理解的。我叫她重新嫁人，我知道她是個很不錯的女人，真的不一般。我讓她忘了我，我讓她別給我寫回信，因為這沒有用，她也真沒回信，我已有三年半沒有她的音信了。”

“And you're going home now, not knowing?”

“那麼你就這樣盲目地回家去?”

“Yeah,” he said shyly. “ Well, last week, when I was sure the parole was coming through, I wrote her again. We used to live in Brunswick, just before Jacksonville, and there's a big oak tree just as you come into town. I told her that if she'd take me back, she should put a yellow handkerchief on the tree, and I'd get off and come home. If she didn't want me, forget itno handkerchief, and I'd go on through.”

“也不是，”他略帶靦腆地説：“上週當我確知假釋得到批准時，我又給她寫過一封信。過去我們住在布倫斯威克，就在傑克遜維爾前面，在進城去的路上有一棵高大的橡樹。我告訴她，如果她願意我回來就在樹上掛一方黃手帕，我就下車回家。如果她不要我就忘掉這件事，看不見手帕，我也就不下車了。”

“Wow,” the girl exclaimed. “Wow.”

“噢，是嗎?”那個女孩驚訝極了。

She told the others, and soon all of them were in it, caught up in the approach of Brunswick, looking at the pictures Vingo showed them of his wife and three children. The woman was handsome in a plain way, the children still unformed in the much-handled snapshots.

她把這事告訴了同伴們，於是他們都盼着快點到倫斯威克。温格又給他們看了一張他妻子與三個孩子的照片。這是一張被摸舊了的照片：一個面容端莊的婦女與三個年歲還小的孩子。

Now they were 20 miles from Brunswick, and the young people took over window seats on the right side, waiting for the approach of the great oak tree. The bus acquired a dark, hushed mood, full of the silence of absence and lost years. Vingo stopped looking, tightening his face into the ex-con's mask, as if fortifying himself against still another disappointment.

現在他們離布倫斯威克只有20英里了，那班年輕人佔據了車右邊靠窗的座位，等待着那棵橡樹的出現。汽車裏一片陰暗和肅靜。充滿着所失去的歲月的沉重的氣氛。温格則低下頭，一副囚犯們所特有的繃緊的面容，不敢往外看，好象是防備着又一次失望的打擊。

Then Brunswick was ten miles, and then five. Then,suddenly, all of the young people were up out of their seats, screaming and shouting and crying, doing small dances of joy. All except Vingo.

離布倫斯威克只有十英里了，五英里了，突然，那班年輕人全都叫着從座位上跳了起來，高興得手舞足蹈，只有温格例外。

Vingo sat there stunned, looking at the oak tree. It was covered with yellow handkerchiefs20 of them, 30 of them, maybe hundreds, a tree that stood like a banner of welcome billowing in the wind. As the young people shouted, the old con rose and made his way to the front of the bus to go home.

温格目瞪口呆地坐在那兒，望着窗外的橡樹，那上面掛滿了黃手帕。20塊，30塊，也許有好幾百塊，這棵樹站在那兒，就象一面歡迎的大旗，在風中飄揚。在年輕人的叫喊聲中，那個往日的囚徒站起來，走到車門前，然後向家走去。

篇十五：英文美文

美文欣賞:善行無小事

I was in the Santa Cruz Mountains not long ago, speaking and singing at a women's conference. We were focusing on the theme of loving others in practical ways through our gifts, and something in particular happened during one of the sessions that will remain imprinted in my memory as a beautiful illustration of this practice.

不久前我在聖克魯斯山脈，在一次婦女大會上有説有唱。我們關注的主題是通過送禮物等實用的方法來關愛他人。其中一個會議期間發生的一件特殊的事將成為最美的印跡永遠銘刻在我的記憶中。

A young Syrian woman (”Lilith“) had been invited to the conference at the last minute, and everyone seemed surprised and delighted that she'd actually come. Just a few days earlier, Lilith had fled her country and found refuge with one of the women attending the conference. As an Orthodox Christian in Syria, she and her loved ones had become targets of violent atrocities from radical terrorist groups in the country's ongoing civil war.

一位年輕的敍利亞女士（莉莉絲）在最後一分鐘被邀請到會議上，大家看起來都很驚訝，也很高興她真的來了。就在幾天前，莉莉絲逃離她的國家，和另外一個參加會議的女士一起尋找避難所。作為敍利亞的一名東正教教徒，她和親人們成為了這個國家正在進行的內戰中激進的恐怖組織暴行的目標。

Lilith had witnessed horrors no one her young age should ever see. Despite the further danger it presented, she'd decided to leave her home and her family to find safety here in America. Knowing some of her story, and seeing her sitting through the sessions at the retreat -- head covered in a scarf, face bowed toward the floor -- broke my heart.

莉莉絲目擊了她這個年紀的年輕人不該見到的恐怖。儘管要面臨更大的危險，但她決定離開家和家人來美國尋求安全。知道了她的一些故事，看見她會議期間有些退卻——頭上包着圍巾，臉朝着地面壓得很低——我感覺心要碎了。

Lilith's story touched all of us, including Pam, an attendee who was a quilt maker. Pam had just finished a gorgeous, intricately-patterned quilt, and had brought it with her. She, along with a few of the leaders, decided to give it to Lilith as a symbol of their comfort and love. Lilith had left her own mother behind in her homeland, and I can't imagine how frightened and alone she felt. But in her absence I could see there were lots of ”mamas“ in this community of women who were more than ready to love on her.

莉莉絲的故事觸動了我們所有人，包括與會的被子生產商帕姆。帕姆剛做出了一牀華麗的、圖案精緻的被子，也帶過來了。她和幾位領導決定把它贈給莉莉絲，被子象徵了他們的安慰和愛。莉莉絲把母親留在了家鄉，我無法想象她感到多麼害怕孤單。但她的離開使我看到在這個女性團體中有很多“媽媽”，她們都準備好要把愛獻給她。

During our last session together Lilith was called forward and prayed over, hugged, and wrapped up in that beautiful quilt. I thought of the many hours Pam undoubtedly spent working on it, unaware of the horrendous events that would lead Lilith to this moment--literally surrounded by the beauty and love the quilt embodied. I wept. When they told her it was for her, she wept. We all wept, honking our noses and wiping our eyes.

我們最後一次在一起開會時，莉莉絲被叫去站到前面，大家為她祈禱，擁抱她，把那條漂亮的被子圍在她身上。我想到帕姆毫無疑問花了好長時間做這個被子，當時她根本不知道那些可怕的事會把莉莉絲帶到這裏——此時卻被被子藴含的美麗和愛所圍繞。我哭了，她們告訴她這個被子是給她的時候，她哭了。我們都哭了，抽泣着擦着眼淚。

I thought about the words from 1 Peter 4:10: Serve one another with the particular gifts God has given each of you, as faithful dispensers of the magnificently varied grace of God. The words particular and varied suggest to me that there may be as many gifts as there are people and personalities. A quilt wrapped around a ravaged young woman is just one practical, loving act of service that demonstrates God's grace.

我想到了彼得前書的4章10節裏的話：各人要照所得的恩賜彼此服侍，作神百般恩賜的好管家。這番話特別換了一種方式提醒我有多少人和個性就有多少禮物。一位受到傷害的年輕女子身上圍的被子就是體現了上帝慈悲的一個充滿愛意的行為。

It's the particular things we do that we sometimes think are too small or inconsequential compared to the overwhelming suffering we witness. But to do nothing when we see an opportunity--to serve, to comfort, to ease another's pain--is to withhold whatever facet of God's magnificently varied grace our gift offers.

這就是我們所做的特別的事，有時我們認為這和我們見到的勢不可擋的苦難相比太過渺小或不重要。但有機會時-服務、安慰、緩解別人的痛苦-你什麼都不做，就沒有體現出上帝給予的恩賜所展現的各種慈悲的任何一面。

英語美文:加油，為了心中的夢想！

God puts dreams in our hearts. So, we must dream. We lose our sorrows and heartaches in dreams. And we live our fantasies in dreams. Some dreams are aborted while some come true.

上帝在我們的心中播種夢想。所以我們必須有夢。我們在夢想中丟棄悲傷與心痛，活在夢想的奇異世界裏。一些夢想可能會夭折然而一些則會實現。

Most mornings, I'd sit by the Lake in my neighborhood just to witness the awesomeness of God; to be marveled at what Mother Nature is about to unfold... to shower us with her magnificence. The squirrels too gather by the edge of the Lake. The birds float effortlessly, circling the Lake in a beautiful ballet. The gators stand in awe. Yes, the gators! The leaves on the trees would suddenly stop their slow dance. Just like me, they are patiently awaiting for the grand entrance of the sun. The moon must go. Yes, the moon must go... to make room for the sun to rise. The sound of the gentle breeze is soothing, almost musical. I am filled with joy. I cannot describe the feeling of this awesomeness. You'd have to experience it to understand the feeling and joy of it. I know I am about to witness an amazing grace. So... I am silent. My spirit is at peace. The stage has been set. Behind those clouds, the sun awaits... waiting for the heavenly command. The ritual is in full bloom. Then I see a slice of sunlight, wafting through the clouds. Suddenly, the entire horizon is brightened, and the sun finally takes the center stage. Right there, I am still... humbled... to listen to God speak into my soul. When He's done, then, I share with Him all that my heart desires.

早晨我經常會靜坐在家附近的湖畔，只為見證上帝的神奇之力；驚歎大自然母親將展現的事物。。。震撼我們以其雄偉壯麗之景。松鼠也在湖邊聚集起來。鳥兒輕快的浮在湖面上，繞着湖轉着圈，好似在跳優美的芭蕾。鱷魚肅立着。沒錯，是鱷魚！樹上的葉子會突然地停下她們的曼舞，耐心地等待着太陽宏大的入場禮，就像我一樣。月亮必須要離開啊。是啊，月亮必須要離開啊，得給太陽騰地方啊。徐徐微風，温婉靜謐，如同和樂一般。喜悦之情，溢於言表。然此景之震撼實則無法用言語表達。人們須親身經歷才能明白這種感覺和其中的喜悦。知道即將親眼見證這一奇妙的恩典，我沒有出聲。我心靜如水，沒有一絲漣漪。舞台已準備就緒。重重雲霧背後，太陽靜待，等着上天的召喚。禮教已經進入它的全盛時代。然後我看到了穿過雲層透出來的一縷陽光。突然，整個地平線變得透亮，太陽最終站到了中心舞台上。然，就在那，我一動不動，謙卑地聆聽着上帝對我靈魂的教導。待其結束，與上帝訴説着我的心願。

Now, here's my personal dream story:

現在，為您呈上我關於夢的故事：

Eight years ago, a young couple very dear to my heart had a miscarriage after being attacked by armed robbers in their home. They were newly weds. They share the kind of love that makes one want to give love a second chance. Why? They truly love each other and, they take God on board with them in all that they do.

八年前，持械搶劫犯入室搶劫了一對跟我很親近的年輕夫妻，他們因此而失掉了一個還未出生的孩子。他們剛結婚不久，之間有着使人想給愛第二次機會的那種愛。為什麼呢？他們真心相愛，而且他們一切都與上帝同行。

I am your typical all-year-round-positive-kinda-girl. But, it doesn't mean I do not have my down moments. I stay positive and thankful because I know there's a reason for every season. Since the couple had that miscarriage, they felt empty. For awhile, they wondered if God had abandoned them. They fasted and prayed. They cried. They isolated themselves from family and friends. Basically, they were existing, and not living. They travelled far and wide, spending all their resources, seeing different OBGYNs. Nothing worked.

我是那種典型的一年到頭都很樂天派女生，但這並不意味着我沒有低落的時候。我樂觀開朗，常懷感恩，是因為我知道每個季節都有存在的理由。自從那對夫妻遭遇那場不幸之後，就覺得很空虛。有那麼一段時間，他們在想上帝是不是把他們拋棄了。他們禁食，祈禱，哭泣。離開家庭和朋友把自己孤立起來。基本上，他們只是單純地存在着而不是生活着。他們傾盡所能，跋山涉水四處尋醫問藥，找各種婦產科醫生。但毫無效果。

One day, I called them to say hello. The wife sounded like someone had died. When I asked, she said, ”I am fine. Nobody died. Just tired.“ When I spoke with her husband, he shared with me that she had just seen her period, menstrual period, that is. I asked him if I could speak with her again. I believe till this day that it was the grace of God that led me to make that phone call. It was time to share my one dream with her.

有一天，我打電話過去問候他們。這位妻子的聲音聽起來就像誰去世了一樣很是悲傷。當我問道她就説“我很好，沒有誰去世。我只是累了.”當我跟她丈夫談起時，他告訴我説她剛剛進入經期，僅此而已。我問道是否可以再跟他妻子聊會。我相信直到這一天是上帝恩惠讓我撥打這個電話。是時候和她分享我的一個夢了。

”For eight years, I always had same dream, You were in it. You were always nursing a child while rocking him/her in a rocking chair. In the dream, there was always a celebration a Christening, and you were in it, with your husband by your side.“ She was silent. I had to share some life lessons with her. I also had to remind her that she must never allow her faith to be shaken, instead, it should be renewed with each sunrise because God is Hope.

“八年以來，我一直在做着同樣的夢，你就在夢裏面。而你總是在搖着搖椅照看一個孩子。在夢裏，總是有那麼一場慶祝活動在舉辦着，像是一場洗禮，而你在那裏，你的丈夫站在你旁邊。”她沒出聲。我必須説一些生活的經驗給她聽。同時我也必須要提醒她一定不能動搖信念，反之，信念應當在每次太陽升起的時候得到新生，因為上帝就是希望。

I read somewhere that when Life breaks us, ”We are only broken to be made whole.“ Therefore, we must strive not to fall apart.

當生命將我們分開的時候我就會念到，“我們只有在要組成整體的時候才會被分離開來。”因此，我們必須努力不破裂。

I shared this dream with my mother. And each time, we got excited together and submitted this dream of mine to God in prayers and in songs of praise, after all, God is just a prayer away. And God sure loves to be praised.

我跟我母親講了這個夢境。每次我們都會變得很興奮，並在禱文中和讚歌中與上帝分享我這個夢，畢竟，上帝是遠方的一個禱告者。再者，上帝肯定也喜歡被稱讚。

Many moons ago, I remember waking up in the middle of the night, covered in sweat. I was woken up by a sharp pain in my stomach. I had a dream. This time, I was the one pregnant. I went down on my knees in total submission to the Will of ng Him for my one dream to come true. And no, I did not wish to be pregnant (Laughs).

數月以前，我記得自己披着一件毛衣，在午夜醒來。我被腹部的一陣刺痛而驚醒，我做了一個夢。這回，懷孕的那個人是我。完全服從上帝的旨意，我跪了下來，請求上帝能實現我的一個夢--不，我不想懷孕。（此處有笑聲）

I do know one thing for sure: Dreams really do come true when you believe in your dreams, when you give God something to work with (doing your part), and when you believe in and trust God.

有一件事我可以肯定：當你相信夢想，當你做出一些努力從而能讓上帝能對你有所幫助，當你相信自己並信任上帝，夢想就一定會成真。

God finally granted me the dream of my heart. This winter, this man and wife are expecting their first child.

上帝終於恩賜了我心中的夢想。今年冬天，那個男人和他的妻子正期盼着他們第一個孩子的到來。

When I received this great news, I was not surprised. The awesomeness of God is immeasurable. I am always in total submission to His Will. I believed this dream was going to come true at God's own time. And, this is God's time. For this, I am most thankful and humbled by this amazing grace.

聽到這個好消息的時候我並沒有感到很驚訝。上帝的奇妙是無法估量的。我一直都服從着上帝的旨意。相信等時機到了，這個夢想就會成真。而現在就是那個時機。因為這個，我非常感謝並膜拜這奇妙的恩典。

美文賞析:偉大存在於平凡之中

音頻下載[點擊右鍵另存為]

Greatness is not this wonderful, esoteric, elusive god-like feature that only the special among us will ever taste. It is something that truly exists in all of us. The way it manifests itself in all of us differs from person to person.

“偉大”並不是什麼特殊的人才能體會到的特質，也沒有那麼精妙奇異、難以捉摸，甚至被神化。他真實地存在於我們所有人當中。每個人所表現出來的方式又因人而異。

For those of us who are compassionate we sway others to our causes with our empathy.

那些富有同情心的，憑着自己的執着，號召他人加入自己的事業。

For those of us who are resourceful we complete our tasks without the resources we need.

那些足智多謀的，無需藉助太多外力就能達成目標。

For those of us who are creative we find the solutions that no one else can think of.

那些勇於創新的，能找到獨一無二的方法解決問題。

Creativity, communication, cooperation, decisiveness, leadership, love, passion, we are all born with different attributes that make us great, and it is our duty to discover that greatness. Discovering it is half the battle.

創造力、溝通能力、合作能力、決斷力、領導力、愛與激情，我們與生俱來這些不同的特質，從而造就我們的偉大，發掘偉大的潛質是我們的責任。一旦發現了自己的潛質，我們就已經成功了一半。

When you do find out what it is that makes you great you will see the world before you and understand what opportunity lies in wait. It was waiting there for you all along, waiting for you to come to the realization that everything you needed to succeed in life was within you all along, and you will want to tell the whole world what you found, you will want to tell people about the greatness inside each of them, but they won’t understand because each person must discover it and declare it on their own.

當你發現了造就你的偉大的特質，你就能看清眼前的`世界，就能明白是什麼樣的機遇在等着你。它一直在這裏等了你，等着你醒悟過來，認識到成功所需的一切品質都一直都藴藏在自己的靈魂裏。你會想要告訴整個世界自己的發現，你會想要告訴大家每個人藴藏着的偉大，可是他們不會明白，因為偉大需要每個人自己去發現，去把自己的發現宣告給這個世界。

美文閲讀:老人的木碗

A frail old man lived with his son, his daughter-in-law, and his four-year-old grandson. His eyes were blurry, his hands trembled, and his step faltered.

一位虛弱的老人和他的兒子、兒媳還有四歲的孫子住在一起。他雙眼模糊，兩手顫抖，步履蹣跚。

The family would eat together nightly at the dinner table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon, drooping to the floor. When he grasped his glass of milk, it often spilled clumsily at the tablecloth.

這家人每晚會在餐桌前共用晚餐。但是年邁的爺爺雙手顫抖，視力退化，連吃飯都困難。豌豆從他的勺子裏滾出來，掉在了地上。去拿牛奶的時候，他行動笨拙，也常常會把牛奶灑在桌布上。

With this happening almost every night, the son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.

這樣的事每晚都在發生。他的兒子兒媳開始對這些繁雜的事情感到惱怒不已。

”We must do something about grandfather,“ said the son.

“我們應該對爺爺的問題想想辦法了。”兒子説。

”I've had enough of his milk spilling, noisy eating and food on the floor,“ the daughter-in-law agreed.

“我受夠了他了。他到處亂灑牛奶，吃東西很大聲，還弄到地上。”兒媳也很同意。

So the couple set a small table at the corner.

所以這對夫婦在角落裏又放了個小桌子。

There, grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed their dinner at the dinner table. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in wooden bowls. Sometimes when the family glanced in grandfather's direction, he had a tear in his eye as he ate alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

從此，在其他人在餐桌上享用晚餐的時候，爺爺就一個人在邊上吃。又由於爺爺打碎了一兩個碟子，他的食物就被放在了木頭碗裏端給他。有時，當這家人不經意瞥向爺爺的時候，能看見他眼中的淚水。不變的是，爺爺掉了一支叉或者打翻食物的時候，這對夫婦只會嚴厲地警告他。四歲的孫子目睹着這一切，一言不發。

One evening, before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly: ”What are you making?“ Just as sweetly, the boy replied, ”Oh, I'm making a little bowl for you and mama to eat your food from when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

有一天晚飯前，父親注意到了他的兒子在玩木頭屑。他親切地問孩子：“你在做什麼呢？”兒子同樣親切地答：“噢，我在做木碗呢。等我長大了，它們就是用來給爸爸媽媽吃飯的。”説完，四歲的兒子帶着微笑，繼續做他的木碗。

These words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears streamed down their cheeks. Though no words were spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening, the husband took grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.

兒子的語出驚人讓這對父母頓時語塞，淚水從臉頰流下。雖然沒有説一句話，他們都下定決心要做什麼了。那天晚上，那位丈夫挽起爺爺的手，緩緩地帶他回到從前那個餐桌前。

For the remainder of his days, grandfather ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk was spilled or the table cloth was soiled.

接下來幾天，每頓晚飯爺爺都和一家人一起吃。因為某些原因，這對夫妻再也不在乎掉下的叉子、灑出的牛奶或是弄髒的桌布了。

美文賞析:你終將找到自己的節奏

We all find the rhythm.

我們終將會找到屬於自己的節奏。

We all remember our first days of high-school, college, our first job.

這些場景都歷歷在目吧：高中第一天，大學第一天，上班第一天。

We all remember the feelings of butterflies in our stomachs when we took our first steps into those positions, the feeling that we were unqualified for what we were doing, that we didn’t belong.

我們都記得邁出第一步時，心中的手足無措，擔心自己不夠格、擔心自己不屬於這個地方。

What if my coworkers don’t like me?

要是同事們不喜歡我怎麼辦？

What if I’m terrible at my work?

要是我做出的工作成果很糟糕怎麼辦？

What if I mess everything up?

要是我把一切搞砸了怎麼辦？

These are the thoughts that run through your mind during those first few days as you tiptoe your way around the workplace, being careful that you don’t do anything that will get you noticed, with the fear that when they notice you, you will mess up. But eventually you do get noticed, and you don’t mess up, and soon you develop a rhythm.

這些都是工作的頭幾天裏，腦海中會浮現出的想法。你小心翼翼地在公司裏走着，恨不得踮起腳尖，生怕自己的一舉一動會引起周圍人的注意，生怕自己搞砸一切。然而，你終究還是受到了關注，但你並沒有搞砸，並且你很快就找到了自己的節奏。

It has only been a week and you have already fallen into a rhythm. You walk into your workplace and say hello to the receptionist who now knows you by name, you get you morning coffee and strike up a conversation with a coworker who you’ve quickly developed a friendship with. Whereas before you looked around chaotically for the sugar and cream, now the location is familiar and your reach for it instinctual. You walk to your desk, take a rejuvenating sip of coffee, and look over your daily schedule that has become all too familiar to you.

僅僅過去了一週，你的節奏愈發自如。走進公司，你會很自然地和前台打招呼，而他們也叫得出你的名字。取咖啡的時候，你會和同事攀談起來，不知不覺中你們已經建立了友誼。以前你焦頭爛額地到處找糖和奶油，如今你可以輕鬆自如地找到它們。你走到辦公桌前，小啜一口咖啡，一天的活力注滿了全身。接着，你從容地翻閲着日程表，裏面的內容都已太熟悉了。

You notice a new task that you haven’t encountered before, but you no longer feel uncertainty and fear of messing it up. You have survived a week in this place without messing up, people have congratulated you on how good of a job you’ve done, and you belong here. A smirk creases over your face as you look forward to undertaking this new unproven challenge. The day begins and you fall into your rhythm.

即使接到以前從沒接觸過的任務，你也會胸有成竹，不再擔心自己會搞砸了。你已在這個地方度過了一週，沒有搞砸任何事，人們甚至為你出色的績效而喝彩。你屬於這裏。所以在準備迎接這個未知挑戰的時候，你的臉上露出了一絲得意的笑容。新的一天又開始了，你找到了屬於自己的節奏。

篇十六：英文美文

Positive thinking. I’m obviously a big proponent of positive thinking as the best way to achieve your goals, but it turns out that it can lead to happiness too. Optimism and self-esteem are some of the best indicators of people who lead happy lives. Happy people feel empowered, in control of their lives, and have a positive outlook on life. Action steps: Make positive thinking a habit. In fact, this should be one of the first habits you develop. Get into the habit of squashing all negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones. Instead of “I can’t” think“I can”. It may sound corny, but it has worked for me, every time.

正面思想。我顯然是積極思考的主要支持者，是實現目標的最佳方式，但事實證明它也可以帶來快樂。樂觀和自尊是過上幸福生活的人的最佳指標之一。快樂的人感到自己有能力控制自己的生活，並且對生活有積極的看法。

行動步驟：積極思考是一種習慣。事實上，這應該是你養成的第一個習慣之一。養成壓制所有負面想法並用積極想法取代它們的習慣。 而不是“我不能”認為“我能”。 這可能聽起來很老套，但每次都對我有用。