Grandfather's Letter

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 didn't know what to say to you then．But knowing my days are numbered，I figure that I owe you an answer．So here is what I believe．

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 capable 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 goals．

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．

It's also important to decide exactly what you want．Then keep your mind focused on it，and be prepared to receive it．

But be ready to end up in some new places too．As you grow with the years，you'll be given bigger shoes to fill．So be ready for endings as well as challenging beginnings．

Sometimes we have to be brave enough to move from the familiar to the unfamiliar．Life isn't just reaching peaks．Part of it is moving from one peak to the next．If you rest too long in between，you might be tempted to quit．Leave the past in the past．Climb the next mountain and enjoy the view．

Dump things that weigh you down emotionally and spiritually．When an old resentment ，belief，or attitude becomes heavy，lighten your load．Shed those hurtful attitudes that slow you down and drain your energy．

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．

And be sure to take breaks once in a while．They'll give you a renewed commitment to your dreams and a cheerful，healthy perception of the things that matter the most to you．

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

Words and Expressions

- late adj．已故的，最近去世的

come across偶然发现；偶然遇见

have…to do with与……有关

meet up with偶遇

- resolve v．决定，决心

get by设法通过，继续存在

- tempt v．诱惑，引诱，怂恿；吸引

weigh down使负重，使下沉；使抑郁，沉重地压在……心上

- resentment n．愤慨，憎恨，不满

Read and recite the sentences：

（1）When you meet up with challenges，welcome them．They'll leave you wiser，stronger，and more capable 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 goals．

（2）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．

（3）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．

Now write out the sentences here：

（1）When you meet up with challenges，__________．They'll leave you __________ than you were the day before．When you make a mistake，be grateful __________．Resolve to use that lesson to __________．

（2）Remember that your choices will create __________．So consider all the __________，and decide __________．Then believe in yourself，__________，and __________．

（3）Most important of all，__________．The person that __________is the one who __________．Give life everything you've got，and life __________．

参考译文

祖父的一封信

有一天，一位年轻人在整理他已故祖父的遗物时，偶然发现了一个鲜红色的信封。信封上面写着“我的孙子亲启”。年轻人认出是他祖父的笔迹，就打开了那个信封，里面的信写着：

亲爱的罗尼：

多年前，你向我寻求帮助。你问：“爷爷，您是怎么在一生中取得那么大的成就？您仍旧充满活力，而我已经厌倦了奋斗。我怎样才能像您那样充满活力？”

那时候我不知道怎样回答你。我知道我剩下的日子不多了，我觉得我欠你一个回答。以下就是我所深信不疑的。

我认为保持活力与一个人如何看待事物息息相关。我把这称为“保持开阔的眼界”。

首先，你要意识到生活充满意想不到的事情，而且大部分是惊喜。如果你没有留意他们，你将失去生活一半的喜悦。期待着时不时感受到惊喜吧，你一定会的。

当你遇到挑战时，欣然接受他们。他们会令你比以往变得更加聪明、坚强和能干。当你犯错误时，要感激从中学到的教训，下定决心要利用这些教训来帮助你达到目标。

总是按规则办事，即便是一些小的规则也要遵守。当你遵守规则，生活就会顺心。如果你认为不遵守规则也能混得过去，那你只是在愚弄自己。

明确自己的追求也很重要。明确以后就要专注地投入其中，准备好迎接他。

做好准备适应新的阶段。随着年龄的增长，你也会被赋予更多的机会。因此，既要准备结束，又要挑战开始。

有时我们要勇敢地从熟悉的环境走向未知的环境。生活不只是攀上顶峰，从一个顶峰到达下一个顶峰也是生活的一部分。如果你在这过程中停留了太久，那就很有可能会放弃。让过去的留在过去。攀登下一个高峰，欣赏新的风景。

扔掉使你情绪低落的事情。当旧的怨恨、信仰或态度变得沉重，那么不妨轻装上阵吧。摒弃那些不良的态度，它们只会让你步伐缓慢，耗尽你的精力。

记住，成功和失败都取决于你的选择。所以你要考虑前面所有的道路，决定选择走哪一条。然后相信你自己，起身，出发。

一定要时不时休息一下，休息能让你重新投入你的梦想，对人生最重要的事物有一个积极健康的认识。

最重要的是，千万不能放弃。最终成为赢家的人是那些决心要赢的人。把你拥有的一切贡献给生活，生活也会把最好的一切回馈给你。

永远爱你的，

爷爷