Flora之声-英语美文晨读

晨读美文，享受语言之美，在清晨的阳光下、在夕阳的斜辉中、和Flora一起与英语相伴。我是Flora Fang，蔚来英语俱乐部主创、“英语相伴”和”VOA英语听力”公众号主播。“英语相伴”持续为大家提供集思想性、文学艺术性、英语语言知识性、欣赏趣味性为一体的好文。

晨读美文，享受语言之美，在清晨的阳光下、在夕阳的斜辉中、和Flora一起与英语相伴。我是Flora Fang，蔚来英语俱乐部主创、“英语相伴”和”VOA英语听力”公众号主播。“英语相伴”持续为大家提供集思想性、文学艺术性、英语语言知识性、欣赏趣味性为一体的好文。

@主播 | Flora Fang   结尾曲目 | Make You Feel My Love

Simple Ways to Improve Our Life

I love to have simple ways to improve my life. Everyday is a chance for improving our life, and it's up to us to best use it. What I want is to have good, balanced progress everyday.
我喜欢用简单的方法提升自己的生活质量。对我们来说每天都是一个新的机遇，关键在于我们如何最有效地利用它。我所希望的便是每天都可以有良好平稳的提升。

To ensure balance, my favorite way is using the four facets of prosperity: material, spiritual, physical, and social. By achieving material prosperity, spiritual prosperity, physical prosperity, and social prosperity, I believe I can have complete and balanced prosperity in my life.
我最倾向于通过物质生活、精神境界、身体素质、社交活动四个方面的互补来保持生活的平衡。如果可以达到物质富足、精神愉悦、身体健康以及社交活跃，那么你一定会拥有和谐美妙而丰富多彩的生活。

You may add other facets of prosperity if they work for you, but in my opinion these four facets are easy to remember and already cover practically everything.
当然啦，你还可以添加一些你认为对你有用的东西。不过，我认为以上的四个方面很容易记住，它们基本已经包涵了所有。

To put this concept into practice, what I do is ensuring that I do something to improve each facet everyday. Here is how I do it:
为了实践这个观念，我每天都会努力来完善这四个方面。下面是我的个人做法：

Decide on something to do daily in each facet
每天都要做一些关于这几个方面的事情

To keep things simple, choose only one or two tasks to do daily in each facet. More than that, it could be difficult to keep up with them. Of course, you may want to do more than just one or two tasks to improve a facet, but choose only the most important ones to be made daily. In my case, I have just one task for each facet.

每天每个方面只做一两个任务，把事情简单化。不过，要坚持下来还是蛮难的。当然啦，为了提高，可能你每天做了不止一两个任务，要记住，挑最重要的去做。关于每个方面，我一天只做一个任务。

One thing to remember is each of the tasks should be measurable so that you know for sure whether or not you have done it. Here is an example:
还有一点就是，你所做的任务最好有可以衡量的标准，这样你才能知道你到底完成了没有。下面举个例子：

* Material: do project for at least 2 hours
物质方面：至少工作两个小时

* Spiritual: meditate for 30 minutes
精神方面：自我反省30分钟

* Physical: exercise for 20 minutes
身体方面：运动20分钟

* Social: ping at least one friend
社交方面：至少和一个朋友唠嗑

Record your performance
记录你的进度

After setting the daily tasks for each facet, all you need to do is ensuring that you do them. Recording your performance can greatly help you here. You may use a notebook, a spreadsheet, or any other medium you want. Write down there whether or not you have done a task in a particular day.
在设定了每天的任务计划后，我们所要做的就是确保自己有所行动。记录每天的进度是个很有效的办法。你可以用一个笔记本、电子表格或者任何你喜欢的工具。在那里记录你一天之内是否完成任务。

I myself use Joe's Goals. It's a simple web application that can help you track your progress. Whenever I finish something, I check the corresponding box in Joe's Goals. This way I can easily see if I often miss a facet so that I can put more effort there.
我自己是用的"Joe's Goals"，它是一个简单实用的网络应用，可以跟踪记录你的进程。每当我完成一个任务，我都会在相应的方格里打上勾。这样，我就可以很清晰明了地看见自己忽视了哪些方面，并且去完善。

Adjust accordingly
合理调整

If you think that you can more effectively improve yourself doing something else, don't hesitate to change the tasks. For example, maybe you think that reading spiritual text will give you better result than meditation for spiritual prosperity. In that case, you can change your daily task from meditation to reading spiritual text. On the other hand, if you think that they are both necessary, you can decide to do both (though you shouldn't forget to keep things simple).

如果你觉得通过其他的途径你可以更有效的提升自己，那么不要犹豫，果断地调整任务吧。例如，你觉得品读一些心灵鸡汤方面的文章会比自我反省更好地提升你的思想境界，那么你可以把每日自我反省调整成阅读有关精神方面的文章。另外，如果你觉得这两个都很不错，你可以两个都选（但还是得记住不要把事情复杂化）。

Another possibility is increasing the intensity of the tasks to bring you to the next level. For instance, instead of exercising for 20 minutes a day, you could make it 30 minutes a day.
还有一种可能就是增加任务的强度以进阶，例如，你可以从每天锻炼20分钟提升到每天锻炼30分钟。

By using this system, you can be sure that you do something everyday to improve yourself in all facets. It's as if you make balanced progress on autopilot. I've used it for some time and - though I miss my daily tasks here and there - I'm glad to see how it helps me have balanced progress to complete prosperity.
通过实践这套体系，你可以确保每天都有做一些事情来提升自己的各个方面，稳步提升自我似乎变成了一件驾轻就熟之事。我曾这样做过一段时间，虽然时不时就会忘这忘那。但很高兴的是，在稳步提升自己的生活质量方面，它确实有帮助到我。

“Some people die at 25 and aren't buried until 75.”

“死于25岁，葬于75岁。”——你的人生也会是这样的吗？

这是美国著名科学家富兰克林的一句名言。这里所谓的“死”是指激情的褪去、梦想的幻灭，是指精神的死去。

So many of my smile begin with you.

我的笑颜多因你而起

Every day may not be good,

but there's something good in every day.

并非每天都顺利

但每天都会有美好的事情发生

We are not made to be perfect 100% of

the time but we are made to do the best

we can 100%of the time.

不需时时刻刻保持完美

但是需时时刻刻尽力做好

Whatever you do,please never give up.

无论做什么事情，都不要轻言放弃

Can't hold it back anymore, let it go.

觉得无能为力，那就放手吧

Sit, smile, breathe, repeat!

静坐，微笑，深呼吸。重复这个动作

In the end, we all discover who's fake,

who's true and who would risk it

all for you.

谁虚伪，谁真诚，谁又会为了你不顾一切

最终我们都会看到

You can't control everything.

Sometime you just need to relax

and have faith that things will work out.

Let go a little and just let life happen.

不期望能控制每一件事

有时候，你只需放松

并坚信这件事一定可以得到解决

顺其自然，方得始终

《怦然心动》（台词节选）

父亲教女，朱莉爸爸教女儿如何全面得看待一个人、一件事：

A painting is more than the sum of its parts. A cow by itself is just a cow. A meadow by itself is just grass, flowers. And the sun peeking through the trees is just a beam of light. But you put them all together and it can be magic.

一幅画不是众多物件简单拼凑而成的。牛只是一头牛，草地也只有青草和鲜花，而穿过树枝的阳光也仅仅只是一束光，但如果将它们放到一起，就会产生奇迹一般的魅力。

（潜台词：看人不能看表面，也不能过于片面，要综合的评价一个人。）

朱莉的心灵感悟：

The higher I got, the more amazed I was by the view.

我爬得越高，眼前的风景便愈发迷人。

Some days the sunsets would be purple and pink. And some days they were a blazing orange setting fire to the clouds on the horizon. It was during one of those sunsets that my father's idea of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts moved from my head to my heart.

有时落日泛起紫红的余晖，有时散发出橘红色的火光燃起天边的晚霞。在这绚烂的日落景象中，我慢慢领悟了父亲所说的整体胜于局部之和的道理。

外公教孙，布莱斯外公教他如何看待一个人的内在和外在：

Some of us get dipped in flat, some in satin, some in gloss. But every once in a while you find someone who's iridescent, and when you do, nothing will ever compare.

有些人沦为平庸浅薄，金玉其外，而败絮其中。可不经意间，有一天你会遇到一个彩虹般绚丽的人，从此以后，其他人就不过是匆匆浮云。

借鉴何安的翻译：取人以貌重，金玉败絮中，余者皆浮云，斯人若彩虹

外公教孙子如何认识并改正错误

Sometimes a little discomfort in the beginning can save a whole lot of pain down the road.

有时起初的隐忍可以避免一路的疼痛。

One’s character is set at an early age. I'd hate to see you swim out so far you can't swim back.

三岁看老，我可不愿见到你边城浪子回不了头。

主播 | Flora Fang

BGM | Flipped Suite

结尾曲目 | Green Green Grass

-我为什么要善良

Why should I be a good man?

我为什么要善良？

What a silly question.

真是个傻问题。

I choose to be a good man 

because it is what makes us human.

我选择做一个善良的人，

因为这就是人性。

It is our bottom line.

它是我们的底线。

I choose to be a good man 

because I know there are times 

that I need help from others. 

So I choose to give my help to others.

我选择做一个善良的人，

因为我知道我也会需要其他人的帮助。

于是我选择先去帮助别人。

I choose to be a good man 

because I want to be liked. 

I want to touch others' hearts 

so that I won't feel so alone.

我选择做一个善良的人，

因为我希望被人喜欢。

我想去触摸别人的心，

好让我自己不会感到那么孤单。

This world is cruel. 

No one can survive it all alone.

这个世界是残酷的。

You need love. 

You need support.

You need people who cherish you.

你需要爱。

你需要支持。

你需要有人来珍惜你。

And that's what being a good man is about.

做一个善良的人，

就是因为这些。

I want the world to be good. 

So I become good myself.

我希望这个世界对我好，

所以，

我要让自己先变好。

On Children

论孩子

作者：Kahlil Gibran

Your children are not your children.

你的儿女，其实不是你的儿女

They are the sons and daughters of life's longing for itself.

他们是生命对于自身渴望而诞生的孩子

They come through you but not from you.

他们借助你来到这世界，却非因你而来

And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.

他们在你身旁，却并不属于你

You may give them your love but not your thoughts.

你可以给予他们的是你的爱，却不是你的想法

For they have their own thoughts.

因为他们有自己的思想

You may house their bodies but not their souls,

你可以庇护的是他们的身体，却不是他们的灵魂

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

因为他们的灵魂属于明天，属于你做梦也无法到达的明天

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.

你可以拼尽全力，变得像他们一样，却不要让他们变得和你一样

For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

因为生命不会后退，也不在过去停留

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

你是弓，儿女是从你那里射出的箭

The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and he bends you with his might that his arrows may go swift and far.

弓箭手望着未来之路上的箭靶，他用尽力气将你拉开，使他的箭射得又快又远

Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness.

怀着快乐的心情，在弓箭手的手中弯曲吧

For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so he loves also the bow that is stable.

因为他爱一路飞翔的箭，也爱无比稳定的弓

My four-year-old son, Shane, had been asking for a puppy for over a month, but his daddy kept saying, "No dogs!"

一个多月以来，我四岁的儿子沙恩一直要求养一只小狗，但他爸爸总是说：“不许养狗！”

One day I was peeling potatoes for dinner, and Shane was sitting on the floor at my feet asking for the thousands time, "Why won't Daddy let me have a puppy?" "Because they'll bring us trouble. Don't cry. Maybe Daddy will change his mind someday," I encouraged him. "No, he won't, and I won't have a puppy in a million years," Shane cried. I looked at his dirty, tearful face and said, "I know a way to make Daddy change his mind." "Really?" Shane wiped away his tears.

一天，我在削土豆准备做饭，沙恩坐在我脚边的地板上，他第一千次问我：“为什么爸爸不让我养小狗呢？”“因为小狗会给我们带来麻烦。不要哭了，说不定爸爸哪天就会改变主意呢。”我鼓励他道。“不，他不会的，再过一百万年我也不会有一只小狗。”沙恩哭着说。我望着他脏兮兮、泪汪汪的小脸说道：“我知道一个方法，可以让爸爸改变主意。”“真的？”沙恩这才抹掉眼泪。

I handed him a potato. "Take this and carry it with you until it turns into a puppy," I whispered . "Keep it with you all the time, and on the third day, tie a string around it and take it around the yard and see what happens!"

我递给他一个土豆。“拿着这个土豆，随身带着，直到它变成一只小狗，”我低声说道，“不论什么时候都带在身上，等到第三天，往上面拴一根细绳，然后带着它在院子转圈，看看会怎样！”

Shane took the potato with both hands. "Mama, how do you turn a potato into a puppy?" He turned it over and over in his little hands.

沙恩双手接过土豆。“妈妈，你怎么把土豆变成小狗啊？”他的小手拿着土豆，翻来覆去地看。

Shh! It's a secret! I whispered and sent him on his way. I knew what I must do to keep peace in my home.

“嘘！这是秘密！”我低声说道，然后让他拿着土豆走了。为了维护家里的安宁，我知道我必须要做的事情。

Shane carried his potato around everywhere for two days. He slept with it, bathed with it and talked to it.

随后的两天里，沙恩不论到哪里都带着他的土豆。他跟土豆一起睡觉，一起洗澡，还跟它说话。

On the third day I said to my husband, "We really should get a pet for Shane." "What makes you think he needs a pet?" my husband asked. "Well, he's been carrying a potato around with him for days. He calls it Wally and says it is his pet. He sleeps with it on his pillow and right now he has a string tied to it and he's dragging it around the yard," I said. 

第三天，我对丈夫说：“我们真的该给沙恩买只小狗了。”“你为什么认为他需要一只小狗呢？”我丈夫问道。“呃，他和一颗土豆形影不离，都好几天了。他管土豆叫沃利，还说它是自己的宠物。他睡觉时把土豆放在枕头上，现在他还给土豆拴了根绳，正拉着它在院子里遛弯呢。”我说。

"A potato?" My husband asked and looked out of the window and watched Shane taking his potato for a walk." It will break his heart when the potato goes bad," I said and started getting lunch ready. "Besides, every time I try to peel potatoes for dinner, Shane cries because he says I'm killing Wally's family." 

“一颗土豆？”我丈夫问道，并向窗外望了望，看到沙恩正牵着他的土豆散步。“等到土豆烂了，他会伤透心的，”我说着便开始准备午饭，“还有，每次我要削土豆准备做饭时，沙恩就哭， 他说我在残害沃利的家人。”

My husband asked, "My son has a pet potato? That's crazy!" "Maybe you're right, but explain to me why he is taking that potato around the yard on a string," I said. My husband watched our son for a few more minutes. "I'll bring home a puppy tonight. It's better than a potato."

我丈夫问道：“我儿子有一个宠物土豆？ 太离谱了！”“也许你说得对，但解释一下为什么他用绳子拽着土豆在院子里遛弯。”我说道。我丈夫又盯着儿子看了几分钟。“我今晚会带回来一只小狗，它总比一颗土豆好。”

That night Shane's daddy brought home a puppy. Everyone was happy. My husband thought he'd saved his son from going crazy. Shane had a puppy and believed that his mother had magical powers that could change a potato into a puppy. And I was happy because I got my potato back and cooked it for dinner.

那天晚上，沙恩的爸爸带回家一只小狗。一家人都很高兴。我丈夫认为他拯救了快要发疯的儿子。沙恩拥有了一只小狗，并且相信他妈妈具有把土豆变成小狗的魔力。我也很高兴，因为我拿回了土豆， 并且用它做了饭。

Everything was perfect until one evening when I was cooking dinner, Shane asked, "Mama, do you think I could have a horse for my birthday?" I looked into his sweet little face and said, "Well, first we have to take a watermelon "

一切都很完美，直到一天晚上我正在做饭的时候，沙恩问道：“妈妈，你觉得我过生日的时候能得到一匹马吗？”我望着他可爱的小脸说：“呃，首先我们得买个西瓜……”

When I was ten years old, I lived with my family in a small ranch house in rural South Jersey. I often accompanied my mother to the A&P to buy groceries. We did not have a car, so we walked, and I would help her carry the bags.

我10岁的时候，和家人一起住在南泽西郊区一个低矮的小平房里。我经常陪妈妈到A&P超市去买日用品。我们没有车，所以都是走着去的，而我都会帮她拎袋子。

My mother had to shop very carefully, as my father was on strike. She was a waitress, and her salary and tips barely sustained us. One day, while she was weighing prices, a promotional display for the World Book Encyclopedia caught my eye. The volumes were cream-colored, with forest-green spines stamped in gold. Volume One was ninety-nine cents with a ten- dollar purchase.

妈妈买东西必须精打细算，因为爸爸当时正在罢工。她是一个服务员，工资和小费加在一起也就勉强够维持我们的生活。一天，当她在超市里比较价格时，《世界百科全书》的促销展示吸引了我的注意。那是一套奶白色的书，暗绿色的书脊上面烫着金字。购物满10美元就可以用99美分买这套书的第一册。

All I could think of, as we combed the aisles for creamed corn, dry milk, cans of Spam, and shredded wheat, was the book, which I longed for with all my being. 

当我们穿梭在超市货架通道之间寻找着奶油玉米、奶粉、斯帕姆午餐肉罐头和脆麦片条时，我满脑子想的都是那本书，一门心思就想得到它。

I stood at the register with my mother, holding my breath as the cashier rang up the items. It came to over eleven dollars. My mother produced a five, some singles , and a handful of change. As she was counting out the money, I somehow found the courage to ask for the encyclopedia. 'Could we get one?' I said, showing her the display. 'It's only ninety-nine cents.'

我和妈妈站在收银台旁，我屏住呼吸，看着收银员输入那些东西的金额结账。总金额超过了11美元。妈妈拿出一张5美元、几张1美元和一把零钱。在她数钱的时候，我不知怎的鼓起了勇气问她要那本百科全书。“我们买一本行吗？”我一边说，一边指着那个促销展示让她看，“只要99美分。”

I did not understand my mother's increasing anxiety; she did not have enough change and had to sacrifice a large can of peas to pay the amount."Not now, Patricia, she said sternly. 'Today is not a good day.' I packed the groceries and followed her home, crestfallen .

我当时并不理解妈妈渐增的焦虑不安——她带的零钱不够，不得不放弃一大罐豌豆才够付款。“现在不行，帕特里夏，”她厉声说道，“今天不行。”我把买的杂货都装进袋子里，垂头丧气地跟着她回了家。

The next Saturday, my mother gave me a dollar and sent me to the A&P alone. Two quarts of milk and a loaf of bread—that's what a dollar bought in 1957. 

接下来的那个周六，妈妈给了我1美元，派我独自去A&P超市买东西。我要买两夸脱牛奶和一长条面包，在1957年，1美元可以买到这些。

I went straight to the World Book display. There was only one first volume left, which I placed in my cart. I didn't need a cart, but took one so I could read as I went up and down the aisles. 

我径直走到了《世界百科全书》的展台。第一册只剩下了一本，我把它放进了我的购物车。我并不需要购物车，但我却推了一个，因为这样我就能一边看书一边推着它在过道里走来走去。

A lot of time went by, but I had little concept of time, a fact that often got me in trouble. I knew I had to leave, but I couldn't bear to part with the book. Impulsively I put it inside my shirt and zipped up my plaid windbreaker. I was a tall, skinny kid, and I'm certain the shape of the book was obvious.

很长时间过去了，但我这个人向来没有什么时间观念——这经常让我惹上麻烦。我知道我得走了，但又实在舍不得放下那本书。于是我一时冲动，将那本书塞进了我的衬衫里面，然后拉上了我那件印有格子图案的防风夹克的拉链。那时的我长得又高又瘦，我敢肯定书的轮廓一定特别明显。

I strolled the aisles for several more minutes, then went through the checkout, paid my dollar, swiftly bagged the three items, and headed home with my heart pounding.

我在过道里又转悠了几分钟，然后走到收银台，付了1美元，迅速将三样东西装进袋子里，然后回家。我的心怦怦直跳。

Suddenly I felt a heavy tap on my shoulder and turned to find the biggest man I had ever seen. He was the store detective, and he asked me to hand it over. I just stood in silence. 'We know you stole something—you will have to be searched.' Horrified, I slid the heavy book out from the bottom of my shirt.

突然，我觉得有人在我肩膀上重重拍了一下，我转过身去，发现是一个大个子男人，那是我见过的块头最大的人。他是那家超市的保安，他让我把东西交出来。我一声不吭地站在那儿。“我们知道你偷了东西，你得让我们搜身。”我吓坏了，把那本厚重的书从衬衣下摆处滑了出来。

He looked at it quizzically . 'This is what you stole, an encyclopedia?'

他大惑不解地看着那本书。“这就是你偷的东西，一本百科全书？”

'Yes,' I whispered, trembling.

“是的。”我小声回答，身体有点儿发抖。

'Why didn't you ask your parents?'

“为什么不让你的父母买给你呢？”

'I did,' I said, 'but they didn't have the money.'

“我问过，”我说，“但他们没有钱。”

'Do you know it's wrong?'

“你知道这是不对的吗？”

'Yes.'

“我知道。”

'Do you go to church? '

“你去教堂做礼拜吗？”

'Yes, twice a week.'

“是的，每周去两次。”

'Well, you're going to have to tell your parents what you did. '

“好吧，你得告诉你的父母你都做了什么。”

'No, please.'

“不要，求求你了。”

'Then I will do it. What's the address? 'I was silent.

“那我来告诉他们。你们家住哪儿？”我没回答。

'Well, I'll have to walk you home.'

“好吧，那我就得送你回家了。”

'No, please, I will tell them.'

“不要，求你了，我会告诉他们的。”

'Do you swear?'

“你发誓？”

'Yes, yes, sir.'

“是的，是的，先生。”

My mother was worried when I arrived home. 'Where were you? I needed the bread for your father's sandwiches. I told you to come right home.'

当我到家的时候，妈妈急坏了。“你去哪儿了？我等着用面包给你爸爸做三明治呢。我告诉过你要直接回家的啊。”

And suddenly everything went green, like right before a tornado. My ears were ringing, I felt dizzy, and I threw up .

突然，我感觉眼前的一切都变暗了，就好像龙卷风即将来临前一样。我的耳朵嗡嗡作响，我觉得头昏眼花，然后就吐了。

My mother tended to me immediately, as she always did. She had me lie on the couch and got a cold towel for my head and sat by me with her anxious expression.

妈妈立刻开始照顾起我来，就像她经常做的那样。她让我躺在沙发上，拿了一条冷毛巾敷在我的额头上，然后一脸担心地坐在我身边。

What is it, Patricia? she asked. "Did something bad happen?"

“怎么了，帕特里夏？”她问，“是不是发生了什么不好的事儿？”

Yes, I whispered. 'I stole something.' I told her about my lust for the book, my wrong doing, and the big detective. My mother was a good mother, but she could be explosive , and I tensed, waiting for the barrage of verbal punishment, the sentencing that always seemed to outweigh the crime. But she said nothing. She told me that she would call the store and tell the detective I had confessed, and that I should sleep.

“是的，”我低声说，“我偷东西了。”我告诉了她我对那本书的渴望，我犯下的错，还有那个大个子保安的事儿。我妈妈是一个好妈妈，不过她脾气火爆，所以我很紧张，等着她大骂我一顿，等着接受那似乎总比所犯的错要重的惩罚。但她什么都没说。她告诉我她会给超市打电话，告诉那个保安我已经坦白了，然后让我好好睡一觉。

When I awoke, sometime later, the house was silent. My mother had taken my siblings to the field to play. I sat up and noticed a brown-paper bag with my name on it. I opened it and inside was the World Book Encyclopedia, Volume One.

我睡了一段时间醒来后，发现屋子里静悄悄的。妈妈带我的兄弟姐妹们去院子里玩了。我坐起身来，看到了一个写着我名字的棕色纸袋。我打开袋子，里面正是那本《世界百科全书》第一册。