A Letter From Grandfather

曲永华

One day， a young man was cleaning out his late grandfather’s belongings when he came across a bright red envelope. Written on the front were the words， “To my grandson.” Recognizing his grandfather’s handwriting， the boy opened the envelope. A letter inside read：

Dear Ronny，

Years ago you came to me for help. You said， “Grandpa， how is it that you’ve accomplished so much in your life？ You’re still full of energy， and I’m already tired of struggling. How can I get that same enthusiasm that you’ve got？”

I think a lot of it has to do with how a person looks at things. I call it “keeping your eyes wide open.”

First， realize that life is filled with surprises， but many are good ones. If you don’t keep watching for them， you’ll miss half the excitement. Expect to be thrilled once in a while， and you will be.

When you meet up with challenges， welcome them. They’ll leave you wiser， stronger， and more comfortable than you were the day before. When you make a mistake， be grateful for the things it taught you. Resolve to use that lesson to help you reach your goal.

And always follow the rules. Even the little ones. When you follow the rules， life works. If you think you ever really get by with breaking the rules， you’re only fooling yourself.

Remember that your choices will create your successes and your failures. So consider all the pathways ahead， and decide which ones to follow. Then believe in yourself， get up， and get going.

Most important of all， never give up on yourself. The person that ends up a winner is the one who resolves to win. Give life everything you’ve got， and life will give its best back to you.

Love always，

Grandpa

爺爷的一封信

一天，一位年轻人在清理爷爷留下来的遗物，这时他碰巧看到一个鲜红色的信封。在信封上写着：给我的孙子。年轻人辨认出是爷爷的笔迹，他打开了信封，看到爷爷给他留下的信。

亲爱的罗尼：

许多年前你来找我帮助你。你说：“爷爷，在你过去的生活中，你取得了那么多的成就，那是怎样做到的呢？而且你现在还是精神矍铄，而我却厌倦了奋斗。我怎样才能拥有像您这样的热情呢？”

我认为这和一个人如何看待事物的态度有很大的关系。我称这为“保持开阔的眼界”。

首先，意识到生命中充满了出乎意料的事情，但是其中许多事情是好事。如果你不保持关注它们，那你会错过一半的令人兴奋的时刻。时不时地盼望有惊喜发生，你就会遇到惊喜的事情。

当你遇到挑战时，要欢迎它们。它们会给你带来智慧、坚强和更多的舒适。当你犯错误时，感激它留给你的教训吧，下定决心用这些教训帮你达到你的目标。

总是遵循规则，即使是小小的规则。当你遵循这些规则时，生活正常运转。如果你认为你因为违背规则而得到成就，那你是在愚弄自己。

记住：你的选择会直接导致你的成功或失败。所以在决定追逐目标之前，提前考虑好所有的路径。然后相信自己的选择，起身，着手去做。

最重要的是，永远不要放弃自己。最终能够作为赢家的人是下定决心要赢的人。把你拥有的一切献给生活，生活也会把最好的一切回馈给你。

                                                  永远爱你的，

  爷爷

词语小贴士：

1. belongings n. 财产，所有物

2. recognizing v. 认出（recognize的现在分词）

3. accomplish vt. 完成，达到（目的）

4. struggle vi. 搏斗，奋斗，努力，争取

5. enthusiasm n. 热情，热忱