English Original
I told my friend Graham that I often cycle the two miles from my house to the town centre, but unfortunately, there is a big hill on the route. He replied, "You mean fortunately." He explained that I should be glad of the extra exercise that the hill provided.
My attitude to the hill has now changed. I used to grumble as I approached it, but now I tell myself: This hill will exercise my heart and lungs. It will help me lose weight and get fit. It will mean that I live longer. This hill is my friend. Finally, as I wend my way up the incline, I console myself with the thought of all those people who pay money to go to a gym and sit on stationary exercise bicycles when I can get the same value for free. I have a smug smile of satisfaction as I reach the top.
Problems are there to be faced and overcome. We cannot achieve anything with an easy life. Helen Keller, the first deaf and blind person to earn a university degree, wrote inspirationally: "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved."
One of the main determinants of success in life is our attitude towards adversity. We all face hardships, problems, and difficulties from time to time. While we cannot choose the adversity, we can choose our attitude towards it.
Douglas Bader was 21 when he had both legs amputated after a flying accident in 1931. Determined to fly again, he became one of the leading flying aces in the Battle of Britain. He said, "Don't listen to anyone who tells you that you can't do this or that... Make up your mind, you'll never use crutches or a stick, then have a go at everything... But never, never let them persuade you that things are too difficult or impossible."
How can you change your attitude towards the adversity you face? Try these steps:
1. Confront the problem. Do not avoid it.
2. Deliberately take a positive attitude and write down the benefits of the situation.
3. Visualise how you will feel when you overcome the obstacle.
4. Develop an action plan for how to tackle it.
5. Smile and get cracking.
The biographies of great people are filled with examples of them taking such steps. The common thread is that they did not become defeatist or depressed. They chose their attitude. They opted to be positive. They took on the challenge. They won.
中文翻译
我告诉我的朋友格雷厄姆，我经常骑车两英里从家到市中心，但不幸的是，路上有座大山坡。他回答说：“你是想说‘幸运的是’吧。”他解释说，我应该为山坡提供的额外锻炼而感到高兴。
如今，我对山坡的态度已经改变。过去接近它时我总会抱怨，但现在我告诉自己：这个山坡能锻炼我的心肺。它能帮我减肥、保持健康。它意味着我能活得更久。这座山坡是我的朋友。最后，当我蜿蜒爬上斜坡时，我用这样的想法安慰自己：想想那些花钱去健身房、坐在固定自行车上锻炼的人吧，而我却能免费获得同样的价值。到达坡顶时，我脸上露出了满意的自鸣得意的微笑。
问题就是用来面对和克服的。安逸的生活无法让我们取得任何成就。海伦·凯勒是第一位获得大学学位的聋盲人，她曾写下鼓舞人心的话语：“性格不可能在安逸和宁静中养成。只有经历考验和磨难，灵魂才能得以强化，视野得以清晰，抱负得以激发，成功得以实现。”
人生成功的主要决定因素之一是我们面对逆境的态度。我们都会不时地面临艰辛、问题、事故和困难。虽然我们无法选择逆境，但我们可以选择面对它的态度。
道格拉斯·巴德在1931年一次飞行事故后双腿被截肢，当时他21岁。他决心再次飞行，并最终成为不列颠战役中顶尖的飞行王牌之一。他说：“不要听信任何告诉你这不能做、那不能做的人……下定决心，你永远不用拐杖或手杖，然后去尝试一切……但永远、永远不要让他们说服你事情太难或不可能。”
如何改变你面对逆境的态度？尝试以下步骤：
1. 正视问题。不要逃避。
2. 刻意采取积极态度，写下处境的好处或优势。
3. 想象一下克服这个障碍后你会有什么感觉。
4. 制定应对的行动计划。
5. 微笑并开始行动。
伟人的传记中充满了他们采取此类步骤克服所面临困难的例子。共同的主线是他们没有变得失败主义或沮丧。他们选择了自己的态度。他们选择积极面对。他们接受了挑战。他们赢得了胜利。