高中英语佳作欣赏On the Road, No Burden: Learning in the Present

心向远方，轻装前行：写给高中生的当下之学

【导读】

高中三年，像一场漫长的奔跑。我们常被昨日的失误牵绊，又被明日的考试追赶，于是忘了脚下这一步。其实，真正能握住的，只有此刻：眼前的一页书，手边的一道题，安静的一次呼吸。别把青春活成未来的彩排，也别让焦虑偷走当下的专注。心向远方，不是时时眺望终点，而是轻装前行，把每一步走稳。愿你在忙碌中学会安住，在压力中保持清醒，在当下积蓄力量。

To a large degree, the measure of our peace of mind is determined by how much we are able to live in the present moment.对高中生而言，内心是否平和，很大程度上取决于能否在书山题海中安住于当下。

Irrespective of what happened yesterday or last term, and what may or may not happen in tomorrow's exam, the present moment is where you are—always.无论昨日、上学期发生过什么，也无论明天的考试会有怎样的未知，当下，永远是你真正拥有的。

Without question, many of us have mastered the neurotic art of spending much of our school life worrying about a variety of things—all at once.毋庸置疑，我们很多高中生总习惯性地陷入内耗，把大半青春都耗在同时为各种事焦虑担忧上：排名、分数、作业、未来。

We allow past mistakes and future concerns to dominate our present study, so much so that we end up anxious, frustrated, depressed, and hopeless.我们任由过往的失误和未来的顾虑占据当下的书桌，最终活得焦虑、烦躁、消沉，甚至陷入绝望。

On the flip side, we also postpone our gratification, our stated priorities, and our happiness, often convincing ourselves that "after the exam" will be better than today.另一方面，我们总把本该拥有的快乐、真正重要的事，还有属于自己的幸福一再推迟，还总说服自己“等考完”会比今天更好。

Unfortunately, the same mental dynamics that tell us to look toward the future will only repeat themselves so that "after the exam" never actually arrives.可遗憾的是，这种一味憧憬未来的心态只会不断循环，让那个所谓的“等考完”，永远不会真正到来。

John Lennon once said: "Life is what's happening while we're busy making other plans."约翰·列侬曾说：“生活，就是在我们忙着制定各种计划时，正在悄然发生的一切。”

When we're busy making "other plans" for future success, our youth is quietly passing, our curiosity is fading, our health is being worn down, and the simple joy of learning is slipping away.当我们忙着为未来的成功筹划时，青春在悄然流逝，好奇心在慢慢褪色，健康在被渐渐透支，学习本身的单纯快乐也在悄悄消逝。

In short, we miss out on learning—and on life.说到底，我们就这样错过了真正的学习，也错过了真正的生活。

Many students live as if high school were a dress rehearsal for some later date.许多学生活着，总觉得高中只是为未来某天准备的彩排。

It isn't. In fact, no one has a guarantee that he or she will be here tomorrow.但事实并非如此。没有人能保证，自己明天依然还在。

Now is the only time we have, and the only time that we have any control over.当下，是我们唯一拥有的时光，也是唯一能真正掌控的时刻。

When our attention is in the present moment, we push fear from our minds.当我们把注意力聚焦当下，内心的恐惧便会烟消云散。

Fear is the concern over events that might happen in the future—we won't get into a good university, we will fall behind our classmates, we will let our parents down, whatever.恐惧，不过是对未来未知的过度担忧——担心考不上好大学，担心被同学超过，担心让父母失望，诸如此类。

To combat fear, the best strategy is to learn to bring your attention back to the present.想要战胜恐惧，最好的办法，就是学会把注意力拉回当下。

Mark Twain said: "I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened."马克·吐温曾说：“我这一生经历过许多糟糕的事，而其中真正发生的，不过寥寥。”

I don't think I can say it any better.此话一语中的，无需多言。

Practice keeping your attention on the here and now: one page, one problem, one breath at a time.学着把注意力停留在此时此刻吧：一页书，一道题，一次呼吸。

Your efforts will pay great dividends.你所付出的这份用心，终将换来丰厚的馈赠。

【日积月累】

irrespective of 不管；不考虑；不受…影响on the flip side 另一方面；反之postpone 推迟；延期guarantee 保证；担保concern over 关注；对…关心／忧虑strategy 策略；战略present moment 当下；此刻dress rehearsal 彩排dividend 回报；红利