美文欣赏：坚强有时是迫不得已

 　　Change is considerably¹ easier when you have a full complement² of supporting partners and unlimitedresources. But, since very often it is the shock of a death, divorce or some other life tragedy thatunceremoniously tosses us out of our comfort zone to fend³ for ourselves, it can mean being forced to strike out alone which for many of us is the scariest part of all.

　　当你有很多合作伙伴和无尽的资源时，改变就更容易发生了。但是，由于这种变化往往是来自于身边的人去世的打击、离婚或是其他的一些人生悲剧，而且这些变化又毫无征兆地将我们赶出了自己的舒适圈，使我们不得不自己照顾自己，所以这样的变化也意味着我们要被迫独自面对很多事情，这也是很多人最害怕的事情。

　　Probably the most difficult thing about pursuing significant change is doing it when you don’t have the knowledge, financial or emotional tools available to make the process go smoothly⁴.

　　也许，在进行显著改变时遇到的最困难的事情，就是即便对相关知识一无所知，也缺少财务支持或情感工具，却还是要顺利完成。

　　However, as difficult as it can be, sometimes reaching our full potential means working without a net. Or, as Tony Robbins says, "If you want to take the island, burn the f’ing boats!"

　　然而，不管有多难，有时想要达到我们潜能的极限，其实只需在工作时摆脱网络的束缚。换言之，正如托尼? 罗宾斯所说，“如果你想去岛上，就烧了这些该死的船!”

　　For those truly dedicated⁵ to their mission, having fewer resources and no backup or fallback plan can be a surprising blessing⁶ as it forces you to get creative and forge new paths.

　　而对于那些真正致力于完成自己使命的人来说，缺少资源、备份或应急计划都会被看作是一个意外之礼，因为这促使你变得更具创造力，懂得另辟蹊径。

　　I don’t know if it’s possible to leave this world with zero regrets. Because of the natural life cycles and the fact that sometimes it’s the tragedy that causes our awakenings we often have our epiphanies too late to avoid certain painful outcomes.

　　我不知道是否有可能在离开这个世界时不留任何遗憾。因为自然生命周期有限，也只有悲剧结局，才能让我们清醒，这使我们时常顿悟得太晚，以致于无法避免那些令人痛苦的结局。

　　However, it is indefensible to can claim ignorance to the possible ramifications⁷ of continued inaction. The choice belongs to each and every one of us. We all have the power to change both our thoughts and behavior thereby⁸ giving more intentional⁹ direction to the remainder of our lives.

　　然而，把持续的无作为所导致的后果归因为无知是站不住脚的。选择权在我们每一个人手中。我们都可以改变自己的思想和行为，去为之后的生活确立更明确的方向。

1 considerably   

adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上

参考例句：

• The economic situation has changed considerably.经济形势已发生了相当大的变化。
• The gap has narrowed considerably.分歧大大缩小了。

2 complement   

n.补足物，船上的定员；补语；vt.补充，补足

参考例句：

• The two suggestions complement each other.这两条建议相互补充。
• They oppose each other also complement each other.它们相辅相成。

3 fend   

v.照料（自己），（自己）谋生，挡开，避开

参考例句：

• I've had to fend for myself since I was 14.我从十四岁时起就不得不照料自己。
• He raised his arm up to fend branches from his eyes.他举手将树枝从他眼前挡开。

4 smoothly   

adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地

参考例句：

• The workmen are very cooperative,so the work goes on smoothly.工人们十分合作，所以工作进展顺利。
• Just change one or two words and the sentence will read smoothly.这句话只要动一两个字就顺了。

5 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。

6 blessing   

n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿

参考例句：

• The blessing was said in Hebrew.祷告用了希伯来语。
• A double blessing has descended upon the house.双喜临门。

7 ramifications   

n.结果，后果( ramification的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• These changes are bound to have widespread social ramifications. 这些变化注定会造成许多难以预料的社会后果。
• What are the ramifications of our decision to join the union? 我们决定加入工会会引起哪些后果呢？ 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 thereby   

adv.因此，从而

参考例句：

• I have never been to that city,,ereby I don't know much about it.我从未去过那座城市，因此对它不怎么熟悉。
• He became a British citizen,thereby gaining the right to vote.他成了英国公民，因而得到了投票权。

9 intentional   

adj.故意的，有意（识）的

参考例句：

• Let me assure you that it was not intentional.我向你保证那不是故意的。
• His insult was intentional.他的侮辱是有意的。