Catch the star that holds your destiny

◎陳科芳 浙江外國語學院

導讀

關于命運，有不同的說法和看法。是“命運天注定”呢，還是“命運在自主”呢？下面這篇短文，明顯持后面這種觀點。

文章認為，可以通過努力改變命運，人應該主宰命運而不是被命運主宰。要相信自己、不懼困難、不畏失敗、保持樂觀、不斷努力、抓住機遇，做最好的自己，命運的幸運星就會眷顧。

（本文選自http://www.en8848.com.cn/tingli/meiwen/xgnysbds48/203933.html）

閱讀材料

Catch the star that holds your destiny,the one that forever twinkles within your heart.Takeadvantageofpreciousopportunities while they still sparkle before you.Always believe that your ultimate goal is attainable as long as you commit yourself to it.

Though barriers may sometimes stand in the way of your dreams,remember that your destiny is hiding behind them.Accept the fact that not everyone is going to approve of the choices you’ve made.Have faith in your judgment.Catch the star that twinkles in your heart and it will lead you to your destiny’s path.Follow that pathway and uncover the sweet sunrises that await you.

take advantage of：利用；抓住

一般來說，opportunities（機會）不跟sparkle（閃亮）搭配，但在把命運比作星星的整個語境中，顯得非常自然。寫作中要注意語言行文和思想的配合。

既然把命運比作啟明星或幸運星，就需要在措辭上進行配合，比如：twinkle（閃耀），path（照亮的路），sunrises（日出）等。

Take pride in your accomplishments,as they are stepping stones to your dreams.Understand that you may make mistakes,but don’t let them discourage you.Value your capabilitiesand talents for they are what make you truly unique.The greatest gifts in life are not purchased,but acquired through hard work and determination.Find the star that twinkles in your heart—for you alone are capable of making your brightest dreams come true.Give your hopes everything you've got and you will catch the star that holds your destiny.

stepping stones：墊腳石

for引導的原因狀語從句并不說明主句行為發生的直接原因，只提供一些輔助性的補充說明，一般放于主句之后且用逗號或破折號隔開。

參考譯文

抓住命運的啟明星

當生命中的那顆星在你內心閃耀的時候，要學會把握它，永遠相信只要持之以恒，就一定能夠實現自己心中的夢想。

盡管通往夢想的道路上總有坎坷，但你需要記住的是，你的命運就隱藏在那困難背后。學會接受這樣的事實：不是每一個人都贊同你的選擇。你要堅定自己的判斷并走下去。捕捉住那顆在你內心閃耀的星吧，它將引領你抵達自己的命運之路。沿那條路走下去，你就會發現那屬于自己的美麗日出。

為自己的成績自豪，因為它們是你通往夢想的階梯。要知道你也會犯錯誤，但是可別因此而氣餒。正確評價自己的能力，是它們令你與眾不同。生活里最豐厚的禮物不是買來的，而是通過艱苦的努力和決心獲得的。找到在你內心閃耀的那顆星吧——雖然你獨自一人，但也有能力實現你最輝煌的夢想。對已經得到的懷抱希望，并抓住那顆掌控你命運的星吧。

拓展閱讀

Every individual has a place to fill in the world and is important in some respect whether he chooses to be or not.

—Nathaniel Hawthorne

Destiny is not a matter of chance,but of choice.Not something to wish for,but to attain.

—William Jennings Bryan

You are the master of your own destiny.Use your strengths well.They are the keys to your destiny and your success in life.Once you know yourself and take action to realize your dreams,you can unlock the doors to your own potential.The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.Live your own life,for you will surely die your own death.

—Neil Somerville

—Eleanor Roosevelt

—William Shakespeare

—Latin proverb

It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead.The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time.

—Sir Winston Churchill

I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor.

—Henry David Thoreau

Life’s like a play;it’s not the length but the excellence of the acting that matters.

—Seneca

You are the master of your own destiny.Use your strengths well.They are the keys to your destiny and your success in life.Once you know yourself and take action to realize your dreams,you can unlock the doors of your own potential.

—Neil Somerville

Let us follow our destiny,ebb and flow.Whatever may happen,we master fortune by accepting it.

—Virgil

Our destiny changes with our thought;we shall become what we wish to become,do what we wish to do,when our habitual thought corresponds with our desire.

—Orison Swett Marden

Ideals are like stars:you will not succeed in touching them with your hands,but like the seafaring man on the desert of waters,you choose them as your guides,and following them you reach your destiny.

—Carl Schurz

You are what your deep driving desire is;

As your deep driving desire is,so is your will;As your will is so is your deed;

As your deed is so is your destiny.

—Maitri Upanishads

As long as we are persistent in our pursuit of our deepest destiny,we will continue to grow.We cannot choose the day or time when we will fully bloom.It happens in its own time.

—Denis Waitley

Sow a thought and you reap an act;

Sow an act and you reap a habit;

Sow a habit and you reap a character;Sow a character and you reap a destiny.

—Ralph Waldo Emerson