大学英语四六级经典阅读：快乐是一种行程

 

We always convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we're frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We'll certainly be happy when they're out of that stage. 

 

我们总是相信。等我们结了婚，生了孩子生活会更美好。等有了孩子。我们又因为他们不够大而烦恼，认为等他们大些时，我们就会更快乐了。可等他们进入青少年时期，我们还是同样的苦恼。于是又相信等他们过了这一阶段，幸福就会到来。 

 

We always tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nice car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire. The truth is, there's no better time than right now. If not now, when? our life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. 

 

我们总是告诉自己。等夫妻双方更合得来，等我们拥有更好的车，等我们能去度一次美妙的假期，等我们退休后，我们的生活一定会完美的。而事实是，没有任何时刻比现在更宝贵。倘若不是现在。又会是何时？我们的生活每时每刻都会有挑战。最好是让自己接受这一事实，无论如何使自己保持快乐的心境。 

 

One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D. Souza. He said, "For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, or a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life." This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have. 

 

我很欣赏艾尔弗雷德·苏泽的一段名言。他说:"长期以来，我都觉得生活-匆真正的生活似乎即将开始。可是总会遇到某种障碍，如得先完成的一些事情、没做完的工作、要花费的时间、该付的债等等。之后生活才会开始。最后我醒悟过来了，这些障碍本身就是我的生活。这一观点让我明白没有什么通往幸福的道路。幸福本身就是路。所以，珍惜你拥有的每一刻。 

 

And remember that time waits for no one. So, stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you get married, until you get divorced, until you have kids, until you retire, until you get a new car or home, until spring, until you're born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy... 

 

切记时间不等人，不要再做所谓的等待--等你上完学，等你再回到学校，等你结婚，等你离婚，等你有了孩子，等你退休，等你有了新车或新房，等春天来临，等你有幸再来世上走一遭才明白此时此刻最应快乐…… 

 

Happiness is a journey, not a destination. So work like you don't need money, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like no one's watching. 

 

幸福是一个旅程，不是终点。所以，投入地工作吧，就像你根本不需要钱，尽情去爱吧，就像你从未受过伤害，纵情起舞吧，就像根本无人观望。 

 

词汇注释 

 

convince vt. 说服，使相信 

 

frustrated adj. 失意的，沮丧的 

 

spouse n. 配偶 

 

quote n. 引言，引用 

 

perspective n. 观点，看法 

 

divorce adj. 已离婚的 

 

destination n. 目的地