Unit 2

Text A

In the following text, the writer tells us how we can manage to face each day happily. She suggests that we should have a correct attitude towards ourselves, others and the world. By following her suggestions we can probably find that our lives are indeed quite happy and colorful.

It's a New Day!

Marie T. Russell

Every day is a new day. That is an indisputable fact. Every day when we awake, it is a different day than the one before. Another brand-new 24-hour day to explore and experience! By accepting each new day with a fresh, enthusiastic attitude, you can make your life more joyful. What could be blocking your realization of a new day? It stems from your ideas about yourself, others and the world around you.
Let's start with you. Do you see life as one unending saga, each day like the one before? You know, "Same day, same old stuff?" Do you have beliefs about yourself such as, "Oh, I can't sing. I'm tone-deaf," or "I can't draw. I'm no artist," or "I'm so clumsy. I have two left thumbs. I'm so stupid!" These words reflect inward beliefs that lock us into a frame of mind and a particular behavior pattern. All of these statements demonstrate a belief you have chosen and accepted about yourself. They are also beliefs that serve to close doors to any new experiences or new days.
Let's look at relationships. When I use the term relationships I refer not only to intimate ones, but to everyone in your life... co-workers, family, people you see in the store, the other drivers in traffic... everybody! Many of us classify people as, "friendly", "intelligent", "stupid", "clumsy", etc. We form opinions about them, "Oh! him! He's so lazy," or "Jack is such a good artist—too bad his daughter just can't draw."
Take a look at how most children are raised. At some point in the child's existence, someone decides (or rather makes a judgment) that little Sarah can't sing, is clumsy, laughs too loud, or is intelligent, or whatever. No matter what the judgment is, these statements get repeated in front of friends, family, strangers and, unfortunately, little Sarah. She then accepts this as her reality... after all it is coming from the mouth of a "godly" parent or adult.
All of these statements and opinions support someone's view of reality. When you make it your own it locks you into a mode where you have certain fixed expectations. They do not allow room for change; and since life is all about change, these beliefs leave no room for miracles.
How does one live each day anew? First, one must release all pre-conceptions and beliefs about everyone and everything. Begin by looking at yourself and the people in your immediate surroundings. When dealing with yourself, there are two things you can change—your beliefs and your behavior. If you believe that you are always late (and want to change that), then stop saying that you are always late. When you tell yourself "I'm always late," the body and mind take that as an instruction. In the same fashion, if you start affirming "I'm always on time," that is taken as a directive and your subconscious and conscious mind will work at creating your new reality.
So if you want to be a better person, start by changing your beliefs and your expectations. Then change your actions. Behave more lovingly. Expect the best! Visualize yourself and the world as a loving, peaceful, harmonious place. It's all possible! After all, it is a new day. Treat yourself to a new perspective every day. Start to expect miracles and they will happen!
(562 words)

New Words

indisputable
a. too certain to be questioned; beyond doubt 無可爭辯

brand-new
a. completely new and unused 嶄新的，未用過的

* enthusiastic
a. having or showing great interest 熱情的，熱忱的；充滿興趣的

attitude
n. a way of feeling or thinking about sb. or sth. 態(tài)度

joyful
a. full of or causing happiness 快樂的，令人高興的

realization
n. 1. the act or state of becoming real 實現(xiàn)
2. the act of becoming aware of sth. 認識；領(lǐng)會

stem
vi. originate, develop or grow (from) 起源于；基于，由…造成
n. a central part (of sth.) from which other parts can develop or grow 主干

unending
a. (esp. of sth. not pleasant) continuing without end （尤指不愉快的事情）無盡的；不斷的

saga
n. 英雄傳奇；長篇故事；一長串事件

stuff
n. matter; material 東西；材料

belief
n. opinion that sb. feels sure about 信念，看法