“There” Is No Better Than “Here”
佚名 / Anonymous
Many people believe that they will be happy once they arrive at some specific goal they set for themselves. For some the goal may be amassing a million dollars, for others losing those annoying ten-plus pounds, and for still others it is finding a soulmate. It could be getting a better job, driving a nicer car, or pursuing a dream career. Whatever your “there” is, you may be convinced that once you arrive, you will finally find the peace you have always dreamed of; you will finally become fulfilled, happy, and content.
However, more often than not, once you arrive “there” you will still feel dissatisfied, and move your “there” vision to yet another point in the future. By always chasing after another “there”, you are never really appreciating what you already have right “here”. It is important for human beings to keep “sober-minded” about the age-old drive to look beyond the place where you now stand. On one hand, your life is enhanced by your dreams and aspirations. On the other hand, these drives can pull you farther and farther from your enjoyment of your life right now.
People from the beginning of time have struggled with the question of how we can live in the present moment. And it is a challenge that has become particularly difficult in the modern world in which we are constantly lured by visions of greater glory, beauty, fame. If you learn to be grateful, you can fulfill the challenge of living in the present.
To be grateful means you are thankful for and appreciative of what you have and where you are on your path right now. Gratitude fills your heart with the joyful feeling and allows you to fully appreciate everything that arises on your path. As you strive to keep your focus on the present moment, you can experience the full wonder of “here”. There are many ways to cultivate gratitude. Here are just a few suggestions you may wish to try:
Imagine what your life would be like if you lost all that you had. This will most surely remind you of how much you do appreciate it.
Make a list each day of all that you are grateful for, so that you can stay conscious daily of your blessings. Do this especially when you are feeling as though you have nothing to feel grateful for. Or spend a few minutes before you go to sleep giving thanks for all that you have.
Spend time offering assistance to those who are less fortunate than you, so that you may gain perspective.
However you choose to learn gratitude is irrelevant. What really matters is that you create a space in your consciousness for appreciation for all that you have right now, so that you may live more joyously in your present moment.
很多人都认为，只有实现了自己既定的目标，我们才会幸福快乐。目标因人而异：有的人想拥有万贯家财；有的人想把令人厌烦的十几磅肉减掉；还有些人想觅到心仪的伴侣，获得一份较好的工作，开一部漂亮的车子，或拥有一份理想的职业，这些都可以是一个目标。不管你的目标是什么，有一点是肯定的——只要达到了目标，你就可获得梦想中的安静与平和，你也一定会快乐、心满意足。
可事实往往并非如此。多数时候，当你达到彼岸时，仍不会满足，而且又会有新的憧憬。你总是劳心费神地去追求一个又一个目标，却从不用心去欣赏和珍惜当前拥有的一切。每个人都有不满足现状的欲望，重要的是——头脑要时刻保持清醒。一方面，你的梦想和渴望使你的生活更丰富多彩；另一方面，这些欲望又驱使你越来越远离现有生活中的欢愉。
人们从远古时代开始便苦苦探究这一问题——我们如何能活在现实中。林林总总的幻想和憧憬始终在诱惑着我们——更多的荣耀、美貌和声誉。因而，这也是现代社会所面临的一个严峻挑战。若你知道感恩，就可真切地生活在现实中。
感恩是指对所拥有的一切和所处的人生境遇怀有感激之情，并懂得珍惜。你的心会因存有感恩而满溢愉悦，人生道路上的种种感受你都能亲身体验。如果你极力地将目光定格在现实当中，你就能体会到它的美妙之处。培养感恩之心的方法很多，建议你试试以下几种：
试想你丧失了目前正拥有的一切，你的生活将会如何？你肯定会追悔不已——你是那么喜爱和珍惜这一切。
每天，将你感激的事物罗列出来，这样你就会意识到自己有多么幸运。天天都这么做，尤其在你觉得没什么可感激之时。或者，你也可以在睡前花几分钟对所拥有的一切表示感激。
花点时间向那些不如你幸运的人伸出援助之手，这样你可以对生活有更深刻的认识。
然而，你采取哪种方法学会感恩并不重要，努力去欣赏和珍惜你拥有的一切才是最为重要的，这样你就可以更幸福地享受当前的生活。
1. Whatever your“ ” is, you may be convinced that once you , you will finally find the peace you have always dreamed ; you will finally become fulfilled, , and content.
2. It is important for human beings to “sober-minded” about the age-old drive to look beyond the place you now stand. On one hand, your is enhanced by your dreams and aspirations. On the hand, these drives can pull you farther and farther from your of your life right now.
1. 多数时候，当你达到彼岸时，仍不会满足，而且又会有新的憧憬。
2. 林林总总的幻想和憧憬始终在诱惑着我们——更多的荣耀、美貌和声誉。
3. 花点时间向那些不如你幸运的人伸出援助之手，这样你可以对生活有更深刻的认识。
1. ...you will finally find the peace you have always dreamed of; you will finally become fulfilled, happy, and content.
dream of：梦想；梦见
2. By always chasing after another “there”, you are never really appreciating what you already have right “here”.
chase after：追逐；追赶
