Room for the Future
佚名 / Anonymous
At the age of forty-five, my usually well-ordered life became fraught with changes.
After twenty-two years of working for a major financial institution, a downsizing initiative and a major bank merger resulted in the elimination of over one hundred jobs, mine being one of them.
My once secure future became a fallacy. However, I was one of the lucky ones. I was not a single parent, not dependent solely on my income, but just like the other ex-bankers, I had become a disposable employee, and a statistician.
My mantra has always been “change is good, change is progress,” but when it affected my livelihood, I had to revise it to “accept change and make the most of it.” From the beginning, I chose to look at this occurrence not as a misfortune, but as a welcome opportunity. I refused to become depressed or bitter; instead, I eagerly anticipated doing something new and different.
Having a positive attitude made all the difference in the way I perceived the future. First, I decided to return to college and graduate, several decades later than I should have. Doing this at my age took more than a little courage. Not being a graduate had never held me back in my career with the bank, but now it was a personal goal I longed to achieve. With a little trepidation and a lot of determination, I registered for evening classes, and became an adult student.
Oral presentations were often required for one class. I remember thinking that if I had known this beforehand, I would have taken something else to achieve my required accreditation. By nature, I am a rather reticent individual, and speaking in front of people terrified me. As I stood in front of the other adults with whom I shared a common goal, my knees were visibly knocking, and my heartbeat almost audible. Somehow, I found my voice and squeaked out my presentation. The next time it was easier, and soon, I was starting to enjoy it a little. Later in the year, I even voluntarily interviewed a local reporter for an English assignment, much to the amazement of my teacher. My confidence level soared. Suddenly I felt like I could accomplish anything.
During this time, I realized that no matter what life throws our way, personal growth never stops. It comes from within, and needs only to be challenged in order to surface. It is entirely possible to step out of one's comfort zone to learn something new. My experience of going back to school ended up being far more valuable than just acquiring a diploma.
Yes, having a fulfilling career is important, but it is no longer my reason for being. When I rejoin the “rat race”, it will be on my terms, as nurturing my soul is my first priority. Having simplified my life, I am enjoying living now, instead of just existing to make a living.
Is there life after banking? You bet there is.
The loss of my job was responsible for some positive changes in my life. Revisiting the past made room for the future. As I contemplate the meaning of my mantra “change is good, change is progress”, I realize that I have accepted the change, and am making the most of it.
And, I have only just begun. The best is yet to come.
我45岁时，井然有序的生活发生了重大变化。
22年来，我一直在一家重要的金融机构工作。然而，包括我在内的100多名员工，在一次裁员和一次重大的银行并购中失业了。
我的铁饭碗从此被打破。然而，我又是一个幸运儿。因为我不是单亲家长，工资也不是收入的惟一来源。不过就像银行的其他前任职员一样，我成了一名可有可无的雇员，一名统计员。
我以前的座右铭是“变化既是好事，也是进步”，但当这种变化影响到我的生计时，我不得不将之改为“接受并充分利用这种变化”。 我从最开始就把这次失业看成是一次很好的机会，而并非不幸。 我不让自己痛苦悲伤，而是积极地筹划新的事情。
积极的态度让我对未来有了不一样的期待。首先，我决定去上大学，拿到几十年前本应得到的大学文凭。在我这个年龄作出这样的选择是需要很大的勇气的。其实是不是大学毕业生并不影响我在银行工作，但如今我的个人目标就是上大学并取得大学文凭。带着几分忐忑和极大的决心，我报名参加了夜大，成了一名成人大学生。
其中一门课程经常要求口语表达。记得当时我心想，早知道这样，就选其它课程来挣够学分了。因为我生来就是个沉默寡言的人，在人前说话会让我很害怕。当站在与我目标相同的成人同学面前时，我两腿发抖，心跳加速。然而，我还是努力完成了自己的表述。第二次容易多了，我很快就开始喜欢这门课程。后来，就在那年，为了完成一项英语作业，我竟主动对当地一位记者进行了采访，这件事使我的老师很惊讶。从那时起，我的自信心大幅度提高了。我也突然觉得自己可以干好一切事情。
这段时间里，我认识到，无论生活中遇到什么事情，我们每个人的成长都不会停止。这种成长源自我们自身，需要外界条件的刺激才能实现。放弃优越的条件去学一些新东西是绝对可能的。再次走进校门的我不仅获得了文凭，而且也学到了更多更有用的东西。如今，我不再为了物质的满足和个人的成就而忙碌，而是更加关心我所爱的人。
毋庸置疑，事业成功很重要，但它已不是我存在的理由。假如我再次加入激烈的竞争，我会按照自己的想法行事，把滋养灵魂作为首要选择。简化了生活，我现在就可以享受生活了，而不再仅仅为了生计而存在。
除了银行的工作生涯，还有生活吗？当然。
我的生活因失业而发生了积极的变化。审视昨天，为我的未来拓展更大的发展空间。当我琢磨自己的座右铭“变化既是好事，也是进步”时，我认识到我已经接受了这次变化，并发挥出了它最大的作用。
我还要说，这仅仅是个开始，未来会更好。
记忆填空
1. My secure future became a fallacy. , I was one of the lucky ones. I was not a single parent, not dependent solely on my , but like the other ex-bankers, I had a disposable employee, and a statistician.
2. Not being a graduate had held me back in my career with the , but now it was a goal I longed to achieve. With a trepidation and a lot of determination, I registered for evening classes, and became an adult .
佳句翻译
1. 我从最开始就把这次失业看成是一次很好的机会，而并非不幸。
2. 记得当时我心想，早知道这样，就选其它课程来挣够学分了。
3. 当我琢磨自己的座右铭“变化既是好事，也是进步”时，我认识到我已经接受了这次变化，并发挥出了它最大的作用。
短语应用
1. Not being a graduate had never held me back in my career with the bank, but now it was a personal goal I longed to achieve.
held me back：将我拉回
2. now it was a personal goal I longed to achieve.
long to：渴望