I was running a few errands in my car the other day. The sun was out, the radio was playing, and I was singing along. The song was a joyful one and even my weak voice sounded good singing it. Then it happened, however. The sweet sound of the music ended and was replaced with the dreaded news break.
前几天我在自己的车子里处理一些事情,太阳出来了,收音机播放着,我跟着里面唱起歌来,歌曲的旋律欢快,我五音不全也能唱好。突然优美的音乐停止了,取而代之的是骇人听闻的一些消息。

I drove on while the announcer droned on. Gas prices were going higher again because of the competitive speculation on Wall Street. The race for the Presidency was getting nastier and nastier, Rioting had broken out when fans of a sports team had gone wild, celebrating their team’s championship.
我边开着车边听着广播,由于华尔街上的投机竞争导致油价的上涨,总统竞选变得越来越手段肮脏,粉丝在庆祝喜爱的运动队伍取得比赛胜利时候,发生了暴乱。

Finally, I could take no more and turned off the radio. Silence seemed preferable to listening to anything else about the crazy, competitive society we live in. I slowed down as I entered a local town and watched the people as I drove by.
最终我不堪忍受这些负面新闻之重而关掉了收音机。此刻的宁静比听那些令人糟心揭露社会疯狂、竞争新闻要好多了,我减速来的镇上,看经过的人来人往。

A tall muscular man was helping an elderly lady out of a car and helping her position her walker so she could go into a local store.
一个身材高大壮硕的男子正在帮一位行动不便老妇人,从车里出来并帮她安放好助步器,这样她就可以去当地的商店。

A smiling woman was tossing birdseed into her backyard while a dozen Robins flew down to enjoy the feast being laid out before them.
一位面带微笑的妇人,在她的后院给一群知更鸟投食,那些鸟儿可以大快朵颐。

A young man was walking along, carrying his two year old daughter safely in his arms. He tickled her gently when she pulled the hat off his head and they both laughed. I laughed too as I looked at all of this kindness. It felt like a glimpse of Heaven. The radio may have been off in my car, but in my heart I was still singing.
一位年轻的父亲走来,将他两岁的女儿搂在臂弯,看起来安全感十足。当女儿试图去拉他的帽子,他开始挠女儿痒痒,他们都开心的笑了。当看到生命中这些温暖美好的事情,我也笑了。尽管车里广播被我关了,但是我的心仿佛随着之前播放的歌曲,悠扬的唱了起来。

In truth, this world could use a little more kindness and a lot less competition. Kindness makes us all winners in this life. Kindness reminds us that we are all God’s Children. Kindness shows us that we don’t have to beat others in this world.
我所感到生命的真谛是,这个世界可以多一些美好,少一些竞争。带着善意让我们每个人都是赢家,让我们觉得自己是上帝之子,不需要打败这个世上的任何人。

We just have to love them. May all of your moments here then be full of kindness, love, and joy. And may your only competition be with yourself: to be the best possible you that you can be.
我们只要施与爱。愿生命的每一刻都平顺喜乐。愿我们永远都以超越自己为目标,成为更好的自己。

 

(翻译:林浔鸥)