Just For Today
Just for today I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle
all my problems at once. I can do something for twelve hours that would
appall[1] me if I felt that I had to keep it up for a lifetime.
Just for today I will be happy. This assumes to be true what Abraham Lincoln
said, that "Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."
Just for today I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust
everything to my own desires, I will take my "luck" as it comes, and fit
myself to it.
Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study. I will learn
something useful. I will not be a mental loafer[2]. I will read something
that requires effort, thought and concentration.
Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways: I will do somebody
a good turn, and not get found out; if anybody knows of it, it will not
count. I will do a least two things I don’t want to do–just for exercise.
I will not show anyone that my feelings are hurt; they may be hurt, but
today I will not show it.
Just for today I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress
becomingly, keep my voice low, be courteous[3], criticize not one bit.
I won’t find fault with anything, nor try to improve or regulate anybody
but myself.
Just for today I will have a program. I may not follow it exactly, but I
will have it. I will save myself from two pests: hurry and indecision[4].
Just for today I will have a quiet half hour all by myself, and relax.
During this half hour, sometime, I will try to get a better perspective
of my life.
Just for today I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy
what is beautiful, and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world
will give to me.
Vocabulary:
[1] appall (vt.): to fill with consternation or dismay; 使惊恐，使惊骇
[2] loafer (n.): one who is habitually idle or spends time in idleness;
游手好闲的人；习惯懒散的人；流浪者
[3] courteous (adj.): characterized by gracious consideration toward others.
谦恭的，有礼的，对别人照顾周全的，有礼貌的，殷勤的
[4] indecision (n.): reluctance or an inability to make up one’s mind;
irresolution; 犹豫不决，举棋不定；不愿或不能决定；优柔寡断