Andy was born with a disability. The two sides of his brain were not joined normally to each other. The right side of his body could not communicate with the left. At age three, it was difficult for him to walk, speak or play. He could only repeat a few words and walk slowly while someone held each of his hands.
Then came the struggle. He attended an all-day health center where he was enrolled for every type of treatment imaginable. He struggled, sometimes in tears, to get stronger. Andy hated it when his parents would leave him there in the mornings. However, they believed that he would grow up to live a normal and healthy life. They believed it for themselves and for Andy.
It paid off. Today Andy is a successful 13-year-old high school student. His progress has been nothing short of extraordinary. He receives special help with a few things, but joins his friends in all the activities he loves. Andy has overcome enormous difficulties to move from adversity to victory.
Ask yourself, “What are the seeds of strength hidden in my struggles today? If I get up when I fall, what will that make possible tomorrow?”
“Overnight success” is the result of years of determination and continued learning. Victory is possible for those who decide it is their purpose. They'll find the path to their dream. They will accept hard times as the adversity that will foster their strength, growth and skills to attract the victory they seek.
【助读词汇】
-enroll v. (使)加入，注册，登记
-nothing short of可以说是，无异于
-adversity n. 困境；逆境
-foster v. 促进，助长，培养，鼓励
【参考译文】
安迪天生有缺陷。他的左右脑连接不正常。右脑不能与左脑交流。3岁的时候，他走路、说话、玩耍都有困难。他只能重复几个词，在有人扶着的情况下缓慢地行走。
接下来是痛苦的努力。他上的是全天候的保健中心，在那接受各种治疗。他努力变得强壮，有时候带着泪水。他讨厌每天早上父母把他送到那。尽管如此他们还是相信他长大后可以过正常健康的生活。他们坚信着，为了自己，也为了安迪。
付出都有了回报。现在安迪13岁，是一个优秀的高中生。他的进步堪称是奇迹。他只在几个方面需要帮助，只要是他热爱的活动他都和朋友一起参加。安迪克服了巨大的困难，才从逆境迈向了成功。
问问你自己：“我现在努力的力量之源是什么？如果跌倒后再爬起来，明天我又能干成什么事？”
“一夜成功”是数年坚定不移和坚持不懈学习的结果。那些把成功当作是自己目标的人才有成功的希望。他们会找到通向梦想道路。他们会欣然接受逆境，因为逆境能让他们更强大，促进他们的成长，提高他们的能力，让他们朝自己寻觅的胜利靠近。
【人生启迪】
翻阅伟人的过去，很少看到一帆风顺的。他们有过深陷逆境的遭遇，有些苦难还是常人难以想象的。还是那句老话：“天将降大任于斯人也，必苦其心志，劳其体肤，行拂乱其所为，增益其所不能也。”