Five Secrets of Living Life to the Fullest

I believe｜that men and women｜through the ages｜who have led successful lives｜have captured these five secrets of living life to the fullest.

Have a self｜you respect. This means｜having a deep sense of responsibility｜for your thoughts and actions. It means keeping your word, and being faithful to yourself, family and work. It means believing in｜what you do｜and working hard. It means setting your own internal standards, and not comparing yourself to others. It’s not a question｜of being better than someone else, but respect and integrity｜demand that you be better｜than you thought you could be.

Commit yourself to others. Believe in others, and take time｜to nurture their dreams. A wise man said｜“If you want one year’s prosperity, grow grain. But if you want ten-year’s prosperity, grow men and women.” You can build into the lives of your family,friends and colleagues｜by providing nutrients｜of gratitude and encouragement, and by investing your time and energy｜in their aspirations.

Turn disappointments into strengths. Individuals who live with abandon｜have discovered｜that personal trials｜make them more sensitive and loving, while building endurance and character. They have learned｜that achievements worth remembering｜are stained with the blood of diligence｜and etched with scars of disappointment. The pages of history｜are filled with the heroic stories｜of undaunted men and women｜who triumphed over disabilities and adversities｜to demonstrate victorious spirits.

Enjoy life’s process, not just life’s rewards. We live in a goal-oriented society｜that wants problems resolved now. We want three-minute oatmeal, one-hour dry cleaning, and instant success. But to live with abandon, we must live one day at a time, savoring the little victories｜realizing that life is an endless journey｜in self discovery and personal fulfillment. It means taking time to hug your kids, kiss your spouse, and let the other fellow ahead of you｜on the freeway.

Become involved in something bigger than yourself. I do not believe｜you will live happily｜if you set out to live life for yourself alone. Choose a cause bigger than you are｜and work at it in a spirit of excellence. It will become a part of you｜as you see your goals through｜to the end. Measure success｜not by what you’ve done,but what you could do.

充实生活的五大秘诀

我相信，古往今来生活上成功的男男女女都抓住了充实生活的五大秘诀：

尊敬你自己。这意味着对你自己的思想和行为，你要有强烈的责任感。这意味着，你要信守诺言，对自己、家庭和工作都要忠实。这意味着，要坚信你所做的，要努力工作。这意味着，心中要有自己的标准，不必拿自己与别人相比。这里的问题不是要比其他什么人更好，而是自尊和诚实要求你应比你以前的自己做得更好。

献身于他人。要相信他人，要付出时间为他人的梦想做些什么。一位智者曾说过：“如果你想发一年的财，你就去种庄稼；但是如果你想发十年的财，那么就得去培养人。”你可以用感激之心和鼓励之情使自己融入家人、朋友及同事的生活中；用自己的时间和精力来帮助他们实现抱负。

把失望变成力量。凡是活得自由洒脱的人都深有体会，他们发现个人经历的磨难使他们变得更富有同情心，更富有爱心，而且还会增强他们自身的承受能力，并铸造他们的个性。他们都明白：值得铭记的成就是以辛勤的血汗和失望的痛楚作为代价的。历史的篇章中不乏英勇事迹，他们不屈不挠，战胜了自己的残疾，战胜了自己的逆境，展现了必胜的精神。

享受生活本身，而不只是享受生活给予的奖励。我们生活在一个目标至上的社会，要求一切问题都能即刻得以解决。我们要吃3分钟就熟的麦片粥，要用1小时就好的干洗衣法，希望成功也能一蹴而就。但是，若要活得自由洒脱，那就必须一天一天地过日子，珍惜哪怕是一个个微小的胜利，认识到人生是自我发现和自我完善的无尽旅程。这就意味着：你要腾出时间来拥抱孩子，亲吻爱人，在高速公路上乐于让旁人超过你赶到你的前面去。

投身于超越自身的某项事业中去。如果你一生只为自己活着，我肯定你不会过得幸福。选择一种高于自己的事业，全力以赴从事该项事业。在你不达目标誓不罢休的追求中，这项事业就成了你生命的一部分。不要用你已经做到的，而要用你可能做到的来衡量你的成就。