You Have a Choice
First listen and then answer the question.
Instead of grumbling about life, what’s author’s choice?
I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight. I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am important.
My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.
Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.
Today I can feel sad that I don’t have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.
Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive.
Today I can lament over all that my parents didn’t give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.
Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.
Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.
Today I can whine because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.
Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or I can feel honored because the Lord has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul.
Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.
What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have!
清晨，我早早醒来，为自己在午夜的钟声敲响前，将要做的一切激动不已。我有责任让今天过得充实，我的作用是很重要的。
选择如何度过每一天，这是我的工作。
今天下雨了，所以我可以抱怨；但是，草地无需花费力气去浇灌，所以我还可以感激。
今天没有足够的钱，所以我可以难过；但这也使我懂得理性消费，引导我远离浪费，所以我也可以欣喜。
今天为自己的健康问题，我可以满腹牢骚；但自己仍然活着，所以我可以欢呼雀跃。
今天因为小时候父母给予的太少，我可以悲叹不已；但是，他们赋予我生命，所以我也可以万分感激。
今天因为玫瑰的刺，我可以呜咽哭泣；但有刺的茎上有玫瑰花，所以我又可以欢心庆贺。
今天因为自己缺少朋友，我可以哀伤悲痛；但我能去发掘新的感情，所以我又兴奋不已。
今天因为必须上班，我可以抱怨哭诉；但起码我还有工作可以去做，所以我可以高声欢呼。
今天因为必须做家务，我唉声叹气；但这是上帝赐予我的避风港，我又倍感荣耀。
今天伸展在我的面前，等着我去塑造，而我正是它的雕刻师，来赋予它某种形状。
今天是什么样，完全由我决定，今天怎样度过，由我来选择！
Learning for Better Understanding
Keywords and expressions
1. grumble
作动词：抱怨
例：I heard daddy grumble hardly towards you.
我听见爸爸向你大声抱怨。
2. mourn
作动词：哀悼
例：We have no need to mourn the passing of the steam train.
我们没有必要为蒸汽火车的停止使用感到惋惜。
3. dejectedly
作副词：沮丧地
例：I heard the bad news dejectedly.
我沮丧地听着这则坏消息。
Chunks in Practice
Listen to the following passage twice and then fill in the blanks with
appropriate words.
1. Today I can feel sad that I don' t have more money or I can be that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases and guide me from waste.
2. Today I can dejectedly because I have to do housework or I can feel honored because the Lord has shelter for my mind, body and soul.
3. Today stretches ahead of me, to be shaped. And here I am, the who gets to do the shaping.
Now a Try
How do you understand “the choice”? Please share your thoughts
with your friends.