Catch the star that holds your destiny

◎陈科芳 浙江外国语学院

导读

关于命运，有不同的说法和看法。是“命运天注定”呢，还是“命运在自主”呢？下面这篇短文，明显持后面这种观点。

文章认为，可以通过努力改变命运，人应该主宰命运而不是被命运主宰。要相信自己、不惧困难、不畏失败、保持乐观、不断努力、抓住机遇，做最好的自己，命运的幸运星就会眷顾。

（本文选自http://www.en8848.com.cn/tingli/meiwen/xgnysbds48/203933.html）

阅读材料

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

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.

take advantage of：利用；抓住

一般来说，opportunities（机会）不跟sparkle（闪亮）搭配，但在把命运比作星星的整个语境中，显得非常自然。写作中要注意语言行文和思想的配合。

既然把命运比作启明星或幸运星，就需要在措辞上进行配合，比如：twinkle（闪耀），path（照亮的路），sunrises（日出）等。

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 capabilitiesand talents for they are what make you truly unique.The greatest gifts in life are not purchased,but acquired through hard work and determination.Find the star that twinkles in your heart—for you alone are capable of making your brightest dreams come true.Give your hopes everything you've got and you will catch the star that holds your destiny.

stepping stones：垫脚石

for引导的原因状语从句并不说明主句行为发生的直接原因，只提供一些辅助性的补充说明，一般放于主句之后且用逗号或破折号隔开。

参考译文

抓住命运的启明星

当生命中的那颗星在你内心闪耀的时候，要学会把握它，永远相信只要持之以恒，就一定能够实现自己心中的梦想。

尽管通往梦想的道路上总有坎坷，但你需要记住的是，你的命运就隐藏在那困难背后。学会接受这样的事实：不是每一个人都赞同你的选择。你要坚定自己的判断并走下去。捕捉住那颗在你内心闪耀的星吧，它将引领你抵达自己的命运之路。沿那条路走下去，你就会发现那属于自己的美丽日出。

为自己的成绩自豪，因为它们是你通往梦想的阶梯。要知道你也会犯错误，但是可别因此而气馁。正确评价自己的能力，是它们令你与众不同。生活里最丰厚的礼物不是买来的，而是通过艰苦的努力和决心获得的。找到在你内心闪耀的那颗星吧——虽然你独自一人，但也有能力实现你最辉煌的梦想。对已经得到的怀抱希望，并抓住那颗掌控你命运的星吧。

拓展阅读

Every individual has a place to fill in the world and is important in some respect whether he chooses to be or not.

—Nathaniel Hawthorne

Destiny is not a matter of chance,but of choice.Not something to wish for,but to attain.

—William Jennings Bryan

You are the master of your own destiny.Use your strengths well.They are the keys to your destiny and your success in life.Once you know yourself and take action to realize your dreams,you can unlock the doors to your own potential.The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.Live your own life,for you will surely die your own death.

—Neil Somerville

—Eleanor Roosevelt

—William Shakespeare

—Latin proverb

It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead.The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time.

—Sir Winston Churchill

I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor.

—Henry David Thoreau

Life’s like a play;it’s not the length but the excellence of the acting that matters.

—Seneca

You are the master of your own destiny.Use your strengths well.They are the keys to your destiny and your success in life.Once you know yourself and take action to realize your dreams,you can unlock the doors of your own potential.

—Neil Somerville

Let us follow our destiny,ebb and flow.Whatever may happen,we master fortune by accepting it.

—Virgil

Our destiny changes with our thought;we shall become what we wish to become,do what we wish to do,when our habitual thought corresponds with our desire.

—Orison Swett Marden

Ideals are like stars:you will not succeed in touching them with your hands,but like the seafaring man on the desert of waters,you choose them as your guides,and following them you reach your destiny.

—Carl Schurz

You are what your deep driving desire is;

As your deep driving desire is,so is your will;As your will is so is your deed;

As your deed is so is your destiny.

—Maitri Upanishads

As long as we are persistent in our pursuit of our deepest destiny,we will continue to grow.We cannot choose the day or time when we will fully bloom.It happens in its own time.

—Denis Waitley

Sow a thought and you reap an act;

Sow an act and you reap a habit;

Sow a habit and you reap a character;Sow a character and you reap a destiny.

—Ralph Waldo Emerson