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，我早早醒來，為自己在午夜的鍾聲敲響前，將要做的一切激動不已。我有責任讓今天過得充實，我的作用是很重要的。
選擇如何度過每一天，這是我的工作。
今天下雨了，所以我可以抱怨；但是，草地無需花費力氣去澆灌，所以我還可以感激。
今天沒有足夠的錢，所以我可以難過；但這也使我懂得理性消費，引導我遠離浪費，所以我也可以欣喜。
今天為自己的健康問題，我可以滿腹牢騷；但自己仍然活著，所以我可以歡呼雀躍。
今天因為小時候父母給予的太少，我可以悲歎不已；但是，他們賦予我生命，所以我也可以萬分感激。
今天因為玫瑰的刺，我可以嗚咽哭泣；但有刺的莖上有玫瑰花，所以我又可以歡心慶賀。
今天因為自己缺少朋友，我可以哀傷悲痛；但我能去發掘新的感情，所以我又興奮不已。
今天因為必須上班，我可以抱怨哭訴；但起碼我還有工作可以去做，所以我可以高聲歡呼。今天因為必須做家務，我唉聲歎氣；但這是上帝賜予我的避風港，我又倍感榮耀。
今天伸展在我的麵前，等著我去塑造，而我正是它的雕刻師，來賦予它某種形狀。
今天是什麽樣，完全由我決定，今天怎樣度過，由我來選擇！
Learning for Better Understanding Keywords and expressions
1. grumble
作動詞：抱怨
例：I heard daddy grumble hardly towards you.
我聽見爸爸向你大聲抱怨。
2. mourn
作動詞：哀悼
例：We have no need to mourn the passing of the steam train.
我們沒有必要為蒸汽火車的停止使用感到惋惜。
3. dejectedly
作副詞：沮喪地
例：I heard the bad news dejectedly.
我沮喪地聽著這則壞消息。
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.