我的尝试和成败得失熔铸成一个坚定的信念——绝非仅我一人试图理解与尊重他人。我相信合作与相互关爱正是人类的本性。


I Live Four Lives at a Time

by Alice Thompson

I believe this acceptance, this tenderness one has for others, is impossible without an acceptance of self. Just when or where I learned that the full quota of human weakness and strength was the common property of each of us, I don’t know. But somewhere in my late twenties, I grew able to admit my own drives—and, rid of the anguished necessity of re-costuming them, I was free to face them, and recognize that they were neither unique nor uncontrollable.

我相信人若不能接受自己，便不可能接受和善待他人。不知从何时何地开始，我意识到每个人都有优点和缺点。在我快满三十岁的时候，我学会了承认内心的冲动，而非痛苦地将其掩饰，我泰然自若地应付它们，因为它们乃人之共性，只需善于驾驭。


The rich and happy life I lead every day brings new witness to the validity of my own philosophy, for me. Certainly it works in marriage. Any real marriage is a constant understanding and acceptance, coupled with mutual responsibility for one another’s happiness. Each day I go out strengthened by the knowledge that I am loved and love.

我想我的人生哲学是正确的——我度过的充实而快乐的每一天便是明证。我的人生哲学也适用于婚姻生活，因为真正幸福的婚姻都建立在夫妻之间彼此不断理解和相互接受的基础之上，双方应尽职尽责，让对方幸福。每天我外出工作，知道我的爱得到了回报，便浑身有了力量。


In the mother-child relationship, those same two forces apply. Words are useless to describe my efforts to know my own children. But my great debt to them for their understanding of me is one I have often failed to repay. How can I overvalue a youngster with the thoughtfulness, the imagination to always phone when a late arrival might cause worry? To always know how to reassure. How can I repay the one who dashed into adulthood far too young but has carried all of its burden with a firm, joyous spirit?


这两种力量在母子关系之间也发挥了效用。我为了解孩子们所做出的努力远非文字所能形容，而孩子们对我的理解更让我无以为报。是怎样的想象力、心灵相通和体贴，让一个孩子在母亲迟迟未归时总是打电话确认她的行踪与安危？他用稚嫩的双肩快乐而坚定地担起成人的责任，我要怎样做才能报答这位早熟懂事的孩子？！