A friend of mine, in response to a conversation we were having about the injustice of life, asked me the question, “Who said life was going to be fair, or that it was even meant to be fair?” Her question was a good one. It reminded me of something I was taught as a youngster life isn't fair. It's a bummer but it's absolutely true. One of the mistakes many of us make is that we feel sorry for ourselves, or for others, thinking that life should be fair, or that someday it will be. It's not and it won't.
One of the nice things about surrendering to the fact that life isn't fair is that it keeps us from feeling sorry for ourselves by encouraging us to do the very best we can with what we have. We know it's not “life's job” to make everything perfect, it's our own challenge. Surrendering to this fact also keeps us from feeling sorry for others because we are reminded that everyone is dealt a different hand; everyone has unique strengths and problems in the process of growing up, facing the reality and making decisions; and everyone has those times that they feel victimized or unfairly treated.
The fact that life isn't fair doesn't mean we shouldn't do everything in our power to improve our own lives or the world as a whole. To the contrary, it suggests that we should. When we don't recognize or admit that life isn't fair, we tend to feel pity for others and for ourselves. Pity, of course, is a self-defeating emotion that does nothing for anyone, except to make everyone feel worse than they already do. When we do recognize that life isn't fair, however, we feel compassion for others and for ourselves. And compassion is a heartfelt emotion that delivers loving-kindness to everyone it touches. The next time you find yourself thinking about the injustices of the world, try reminding yourself of this very basic fact. You may be surprised that it can nudge you out of self-pity and into helpful action.
【助读词汇】
-injustice n. 不公平，不讲道义
-bummer n. 打击人的事物
-victimize v. 使牺牲，使受害，欺骗
-nudge v. 用肘轻推，推进，轻推
【参考译文】
当我和一位朋友在谈论生活中不公平现象的时候，她问我：“是谁说生活会变得公平，或生活本应该是公平的？”她的问题问得很好。这让我想起我年轻时学到的一条道理：生活是不公平的。这非常令人失望，但它绝对是真的。我们当中许多人犯的一个错误就是喜欢自艾自怜，或为他人抱不平，认为生活应该是公平的，或者认为有一天会变公平的。其实不然，现在不是，将来也不会是。
接受生活不公平的好处之一就是我们不会顾影自怜，而是倍受激励，利用我们所拥有的尽全力去做。我们知道生活不可能令事事都完美，希望事事都完美只是我们对自己的挑战。接受这一事实的另一好处就是我们也不会为别人感到遗憾，因为我们认识到每个人手里的牌不同；在成长的过程中，在现实面前，在做决定的时候，每个人有着各自独特的优点和缺点；每个人都有感觉冤枉和不公平的时候。
生活不公平并不表示我们就不该力所能及地去改善我们的生活，让整个世界变得更美好。恰恰相反，它暗示我们应该这样做。当我们不肯承认或接受生活不公平的时候，我们往往会为自己和别人感到遗憾。当然，遗憾是种自我否定的情绪，除了让人变得更郁闷，什么作用都没有。然而，当我们承认生活不公平的时候，我们同情自己也同情他人。同情是种发自内心的感受，同情总是向它触碰到的人传递爱心与关怀。下次当你在思考这世界的不公平现象的时候，试试回想下这个事实。也许，它会令人惊喜地让你摆脱顾自神伤去做些有益的事情。
【人生启迪】
文章题目看似消极，却在传递一个积极的信息。在与现实交手的时候，我们不能沉浸于自己的想法中。“知己知彼，方能百战百胜”，接受生活不公平，拿出战士的精神去迎接它。