What I Learned from My Grandmother
安娜·科佩爾/Anna Kopel
Two years ago, my grandma left this earth.It wasn’t until after she died that I truly recognized how much she actually meant to me.She was my friend, my teacher, my inspiration.She taught me things that became my own personal laws of life.They are lessons that have helped me get through each day with a smile.They are lessons that have made me aware of my strong points as well as my weaknesses, and helped me to overcome those weaknesses.They are true lessons to live by, and I hope I will never forget them.
One day, my grandma told me something I will always remember.She said:“Your talent is God’s gift to you.What you do with it is your gift to God.”
Those words have somewhat become a part of me over the years.Each day I thank God for the many talents He has given me, and I try to use those talents in a way which helps me grow closer to Him.I believe that we were all born to reveal the glory of God that is within us.It’s not just in some of us, it is in everyone.And as we each let our own light shine, through our talents and ideas, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same.Just think about what our world could be like if each and every one of us let our own light shine through.I think our world would be a much better place, growing together the way God intended.
One more lesson my grandma taught me was to always go for my dreams and never, ever give up.She once told me:“Shoot for the moon, because even if you fall, you’ll land among the stars.”
I have never heard anything more true in all my life.I have tried to live by these words, and have figured out that it is very important to go for your dreams and never let anything get in your way.Even if you have had a bad experience in the past, never limit your view of life by that experience.I believe that life is constantly testing our level of commitment, and I am convinced life’s greatest rewards are reserved for those who show a never-ending commitment to act until they achieve.This level of determination can accomplish amazing things, but it must be continual and consistent.As simple as this may sound, it is still the common denominator separating those who live their dreams from those that live in regret.
Another great lesson my grandma taught me was:“Never let anyone come to you without coming away better and happier.”Everyone should see goodness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile.Too often we underestimate the power of such things: a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or even the smallest act of caring.All have the potential to turn a life around.We should welcome everyone as we would welcome Christ Himself, because He is a part of each and every one of US.
My grandma is no longer present here on earth, but she will always remain present in my heart.Her words and personality have affected my life in ways I never thought possible.Her lessons on life have become a part of me, and have made me a better person.I will never forget the great love my grandma shared with everyone, her great faith in God, or her inspirational words.She is my idol.My grandma’s laws of life will live in me forever.
奶奶離開這個世界已有兩年了。她去世後，我才真正明白，她對於我來說有多麽重要。她是我的朋友，我的老師，我的靈感所在。她教給我許多東西，使之成為我個人生活的準則。它們是教訓，幫助我笑對每一天，使我意識到自己的優勢和劣勢，幫助我克服這些弱點。也是我憑以生活的真理，希望將其永記於心。
一天，奶奶告訴我一些事情，使我永生難忘。她說：“你的天分就是上帝賜予你的禮物。利用它所做的事情是你給上帝的禮物。”
多年以來，這些話已經成為我生活的一部分。每天我都感謝上帝賜予我這些天分，我試著用更能接近他的方式來運用天分。我相信我們是為了展示上帝賜予我們的光榮而生。這不僅僅存在於我們中的一些人，每個人都是如此。當我們利用自己的天分和思想，來閃耀自己的光芒時，我們就在不知不覺中告訴他人，他們也可以綻放出自己的輝煌。試想一下，如果每一個人都用自己的光亮照亮別人，那我們的世界將會是一種怎樣的景象？我想那一定會是一個更美好的地方，就如上帝期望的那樣一起成長。
奶奶還教育我，要一直為自己的夢想努力，永遠不要放棄。她曾經告訴我：“爭取摘到月亮。因為即使你失敗了，你也會落在群星之中。”
生活中，我從來都沒有聽過比這更真實的事情。我努力按照這些話去做，也明白了這對於你追逐夢想很重要，永遠也不要讓任何事成為你追夢道路上的絆腳石。即使過去你有過慘痛的經曆，也永遠不要讓它限製了你的人生觀。我相信，生活會時常考驗我們的責任感，而且我確信，生活中最大的回報就是為了那些堅持奮鬥，最終成功的人而準備。這樣的決心可以成就奇跡，但是決心必須是堅定而持久的。這聽起來很簡單，但也是區分追逐夢想之人與懊悔過往之人的標準。
奶奶教我的另一個教訓是：“如果不能讓他人更幸福和快樂，就永遠不要讓他加入到你的行列。”每一個人都應該從你的臉上、眼中和笑容中看到仁慈。通常，我們都會低估這些事情的力量：撫摸、微笑、友善的言語、聆聽的耳朵、真誠的讚美，或者最小的一個關愛舉動。所有這些都有潛力，可以轉變生活。我們應該像歡迎耶穌那樣，歡迎每一個人，因為他是我們每個人的一部分。
奶奶已經不在人間了，但是她仍然活在我的心裏。她的話語和人格魅力影響了我的生活。從某種程度上說，這是我從來不曾想到的。她的生活哲理已成為我的一部分，使我變得更優秀。我永遠也忘不了奶奶與每個人分享的偉大的愛，還有她對上帝的偉大信仰，或是她能給
予靈感的話語。她是我的偶像。她的人生準則將永遠與我同在。
1.它們是教訓，幫助我笑對每一天，使我意識到自己的優勢和劣勢，幫助我克服這些弱點。
2.爭取摘到月亮。因為即使你失敗了，你也會落在群星之中。
3.我確信，生活中最大的回報就是為了那些堅持奮鬥、最終成功的人而準備。
4.每一個人都能從你的臉上、眼中和笑容中看到仁慈。
1.give up: If you give up, you won’t succeed.
2.get through: If you get through the difficulty, you’ll grow up.