时光 The Best Time of My Life Each second we live is new and unique moment of the universe. So be the one you like. It was June 15, and in two days I would be turning thirty. I was insecure about entering a new decade of my life and feared that my best years were now behind me. My daily routine included going to the gym for a workout before going to work. Every morning I would see my friend Nicholas at the gym. He was seventy-nine years old and in terrific shape. As I greeted Nicholas on this particular day, he noticed I wasn't full of my usual vitality and asked if there was anything wrong. I told him I was feeling anxious about turning thirty. I wondered how I would look back on my life once I reached Nicholas's age, so I asked him, "What was the best time of your life?" Without hesitation, Nicholas replied, Well, Joe, this is my philosophical answer to your philosophical question: "When I was a child in Austria and everything was taken care of for me and I was nurtured by my parents, that was the best time of my life." "When I was going to school and learning the things I know today, that was the best time of my life." "When I got my first job and had responsibilities and got paid for my efforts, which was the best time of my life." "When I met my wife and fell in love, which was the best time of my life." "The Second World War came, and my wife and I had to flee Austria to save our lives. When we were together and safe on a ship bound for North America, which was the best time of my life." "When I was a young father, watching my children grow up, that was the best time of my life." "And now, Joe, I am seventy-nine years old. I have my health, I feel good and I am in love with my wife just as I was when we first met. This is the best time of my life." 我每天的惯例是上班之前先去体育馆锻炼。每天早上我都会在体育馆见到我的朋友尼古拉斯。他79岁,身材很棒。那天我跟他打招呼时,他注意到我不像往常那样充满活力,就问我怎么了。我告诉他我就要30岁了,我为此感到焦虑。我想知道等我到了尼古拉斯的岁数,我该怎样回顾自己的一生。于是我问他:“你一生中最美好的时光是什么时候?” 尼古拉斯毫不犹豫地回答:“你看,乔,对于你这个富有哲理的问题,我给你富有哲理的答案。” “小时候我在奥地利,凡事都不用操心,父母抚育我长大,那是我一生中最美好的时光。” “上学以后,我学习知识,直到今天都没有忘记,那是我一生中最美好的时光。” “当我找到第一份工作,承担了工作中的职责,并且因为自己的努力而获得报酬,那是我一生中最美好的时光。” “当我遇到我的妻子并且爱上她时,那是我一生中最美好的时光。” “第二次世界大战来临,我和妻子为了活命,不得不逃离奥地利。当我们一起,安安全全地坐上驶往北美洲的轮船时,那是我一生中最美好的时光。” “当我们来到加拿大并建立了家庭时,那是我一生中最美好的时光。” “当我成为年轻的父亲,看着自己的孩子一点点长大时,那是我一生中最美好的时光。” “现在,乔,我79岁了。我身体健康,感觉很好,而且我还像刚遇到我妻子时那么爱她,这是我一生中最美好的时光。” |
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