生活中一時的頓悟，有時就能改變很多人的生活。本文採用了夾敘夾議的方法：作者首先從自己聽到的一則故事有感而發，指出人們應該選擇放手過去；接著通過講述自己朋友的經歷來進一步說明放手過去的好處及重要性。文章語言簡潔，貼近生活，娓娓道來，有理有據，令人信服。尤其是文中引用了不少人物對話，增強了文章的生活氣息。最後一段感嘆句的使用也增加了文章的感染力。
ItIs Time to Let Go
The doctor’s youngreceptionist asked the sixtyish patient, 「Are you on Medicare?」 「No, I’m not,」 he answered. 「I’m still working, and Iplan to retire when I’m one hundred and four.」 She laughed and asked him totake a seat. He and I were the only people in the waiting room, so I smiled atthe man and said, 「I liked your answer... and your spirit.」 「Thanks」, hereplied, 「would you like to hear the story behind my statement?」 「I』d love to,」I agreed.
His name was John and heworked for a government agency. John was responsible for approving loanapplications for major home improvements. One day a woman called him andexplained: 「I need a loan to convert my heating system to gas, though I reallydon’t mind the coal at all. It’s those darn ashes—lugging them up from thebasement all the time. I’m 104 now and I’m just so tired of cleaning those ashes!」John was surprised at this outpouring, and a little skeptical about the woman’sage, but the agency’s investigation revealed that she was indeed 104 years old.Only now was she rebelling against the burden she』d borne for so many years.
After hearing John’sstory, I wondered if there was a broader message here more than just theremarkable stamina and endurance of an extraordinary woman. Picture the ashesas any heavy burden that one might carry inside for years, unwilling or unableto release feelings of anger, resentment, envy, or any other negativeconnection to the past. Luckily, we don’t have to shoulder this emotional loaduntil we’re 104, or even for another day, or even another moment.
By choosing to let go ofthe past, we can sweep out all the ashes that weigh us down and subtly affectevery aspect of our health, our relationships, and our inner peace.
My friend Jean wasdivorced after a thirty-year marriage that produced three daughters, one sonand eight grandchildren. Because she had literally raised them single-handedly,Jean was hurt and angry that the children didn’t take her part after thedivorce. For months she refused to attend any family celebration to which herformer husband Jim was also invited. When I reasoned that her children’sperception of the relationship with and between the parents was probablyaltogether different from hers, she clung to the belief that she was right.
One day Jean called intears. 「Saturday is my granddaughter’s birthday, and I really want to be withher, but I can’t bring myself to face my former husband.」 「Jim isn’t theproblem.」 I said gently, 「it’s your pride. Instead of holding on to the painfulpast, which is over and done, let the feelings go and get on with your life.You’re depriving yourself of the joy of sharing in these important occasions,while Jim feels free to experience them. Tell me, would you rather be right, orbe happy?」
That must have done thetrick because when Saturday arrived, Jean appeared at her daughter’s home withher famous chocolate-chip cookies and a beautiful birthday cake.
How great it feels tolet go! How energizing! And the more we practice the art of letting go of allnegative feelings, the better we become to devote our thoughts, our time, andour energy to living joyfully in the present, whatever age we happen to be.
Choose the bestanswer to each of the following questions or statements according to the text.
1. The word 「burden」 in the article means all of thefollowing EXCEPT_____.
A. ashes B. heating system
C. negative feelings D.the painful past
2. Accordingto the author, what prevented Jean from attending her granddaughter’s birthdaycelebration was _____.
A. her former husband
B. her children’sperception of the relationship with their parents
C. her false pride
D. her children’sbehavior after the divorce
3. The104-year-old woman wanted to convert her heating system to gas because _____.
A. gas was cheaper andsafer than coal
B. she had to carry thecoal home by herself
C. coal caused pollution
D. she had to lug theashes out of the basement
4. Which ofthe following is true of John?
A. He was the author’spatient.
B. He was not on Medicarebecause he was not 104 years old.
C. He was with a governmentagency.
D. He undertook aninvestigation into the 104-year-old woman’s age claim.
5. The tone ofthe article is _____.
A. indifferent B. objective C. persuasive D.pessimistic
Replace each ofthe underlined parts with the best choice given.
1. John wasresponsible for approving loanapplications for major home improvements.
A. favoring B. authorizing C.appreciating D. denying
2. Happily, wedon’t have to shoulder this emotional loaduntil we’re 104, or even for another day, or even for another moment.
A. pack B.goods C. burden D.freight
3. That musthave done the trick because whenSaturday arrived, Jean appeared at her daughter’s home bearing her famouschocolate-chip cookies and a beautiful birthday cake.
A. achieved the desiredeffect B. cheated fate
C. made a joke D.played a trick
4. Because shehad literally raised them single-handedly, Jean was hurt and angry that thechildren didn’t take her part afterthe divorce.
A. support her B.live with her
C. do her share of thehousework D. get involved in her divorce
5. By choosingto let go of the past, we can sweep out allthe ashes that weigh us down and subtly affect every aspect of our health,our friendships, and our peace of mind.
A. ruins B.bodily remains
C. gray or black powder D.emotional burden
6. Picture theashes as any heavy burden that one might carry inside for years, unwilling orunable to release feelings of anger, resentment, envy, or any other negative connection to the past.
A. unpleasant B.pessimistic C. hostile D.contrary