The Story of Life (生命的真谛)

人活着到底为了什么？人应该如何活着？什么是生命的真谛？巴金先生在他巨著的扉页中写道：人活着是为了征服生活。您领悟到生命的真谛了吗？

Sometimes people come into your life, and you know right away they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help figure out(1)who you are or who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be (possibly your roommate, neighbor, co-worker, long lost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger), but when you lock eyes with them, you know in that very moment they will affect your life in some profound (2) way.

Sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, or unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles(3) you would have never realized your potential(4) strength, willpower, or heart. Everything happens for a reason.

Nothing happens by chance or by means of(5) good luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true GREatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you become. Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant(6) and important ones. If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious(7) when you open your heart.

If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because(8) in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.

Make every day count. Appreciate(9) every moment, and take from those moments everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience them again.

Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a GREat individual, and believe in(10) yourself, for if you don’t believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you. You can make anything of your life that you wish.

Create your own life, and then go out and live it with absolutely no reGREts. Most importantly, if you love someone, tell him or her, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store.

Learn a lesson in life each day that you live. That’s the story of life!

Notes:

1.figure out: think about until one understands 想出，理解

例如：I can’t figure that man out. 我不了解那个人。（此外它还有“算出”、“猜出”之义）

2. profound: deep 深的，极度的

例如：The students are listening to the teacher with profound interest. 同学们对老师讲的课深感兴趣。

3. obstacle: 障碍

4. potential: 潜在的

5. by means of: through, with the help of (means 单复数同形)通过，借助

例如：Thoughts are expressed by means of words. 思想借文字表达出来。（此外： by all means： 必定；by no means： 决不）

6. poignant: keen, deeply moving 深刻的，痛切的

7. cautious: very careful 小心的，谨慎的

8. not only because..., but (also) because...不仅因为……，而且因为……

辨析：not because..., but because...不是因为……，而是因为……

9. appreciate: put a high value on 珍惜，重视

另外：它还有“感激”之义，例如：We GREatly appreciate all your help. 我们非常感激你的一切帮助。

10.   believe in: have trust in 信任