I do not know who wrote those words, but I have always liked themas a reminder that the future can be anything we want to makeit.
We can take the mysterious, hazy future and carve out of itanything that we can imagine, just like a sculptor carves a statuefrom a shapeless stone.
We are all in the position of the farmer. If we plant a goodseed, we reap a good harvest. If our seed is poor and full ofweeds, we reap a useless crop. If we plant nothing at all, weharvest nothing at all.
I want the future to be better than the past. I don’t want itcontaminated by the mistakes and errors with which history isfilled. We should all be concerned about the future because that iswhere we will spend the reminder of our lives.
The past is gone and static. Nothing we can do will change it.The future is before us and dynamic. Everything we do will effectit.
Each day will brings with it new frontiers, in our homes and inour businesses, if we will only recognize them. We are just at thebeginning of the progress in every field of human endeavor.
翻译：未来尽在掌控
我不知道这段文字是谁写的，我一直很喜欢并用它们来提醒自己，那就是未来操之在我。
我可以掌握神秘而不可知的未来，从中创出我所能想象的任何东西，一如雕刻家可以将未成型的石头刻出雕像一样。
我每个人都是农夫。我种下好种子，就会有丰收。倘若种子长得不良且长满杂草，我就会徒劳无获。如果我什么也不种，就根本不会有什么收获。
我希望未来会比过去更好。我不希望未来会被那些充斥在历史中的错误所污染。我应关心未来，因为往后的余生都要在未来中度过。
往昔已一去不复返而且是静止的。任凭我怎么努力都不能改变过去。英语短文未来就在我眼前而且是动态的。我的所作所为都会影响未来。
只要我体会的出来，每天都可以发现新的知识领域伴随而生，可能是在家里，也可能是在我的事业中。我正处在人类所努力钻研的每个领域中进步的起点。
I have a few candles stored in a drawer in my dining room.They’re meant for romantic dinners and special occasions, but sincethe arrival of our three children they have lain unnoticed amongthe napkins and other things. They are waiting to be taken out andlit to share their glow with anyone who will take the time to baskin their brilliance.
Are not our souls like those candles, patiently waiting forsomeone to come and let us be ourselves? We are all waiting for ourown moments to shine; we each have a special light, unmatched byany other.
Candles are made up of wax and a wick; we have bodies, but ouressence lies in our minds and souls. Candles are unique in theircolors, shapes and designs. Our life histories and experiences arethe backdrops of who we are, but our minds are like candle wicks,and make our passions flame. Unlike the candles in my drawer, whoget used or not used depending on my whims, we control our ownthoughts, and how brightly we will burn or dimly we will shine.
Is your soul candle dimmed by circumstance or lack of passion anddirection? Is it hidden in a drawer of stress, worry or resentment?Make a choice to let yourself shine the way you were meant toshine.
翻译：点亮心灵的蜡烛
在我餐厅的抽屉里放着几根蜡烛。它们会用于浪漫的晚餐与一些特殊的场合，但是自从我的'三个孩子出生之后，它们便被遗忘在餐巾纸与其他杂物之间了。它们一直在等待着被拿出抽屉，被点亮，以与任何一个愿意花费时间去感受它们温暖的人分享那些光亮。
我的灵魂不也像蜡烛么?耐心地等待有人来发掘我，让我发光发亮。我一直等待着发光发亮的一刻;我都有自己独特的光亮，是别人所不能匹及的。
蜡烛由蜡状物与蜡烛心组合而成;人类有肉体，而我的本质却存在于精神与灵魂中。蜡烛有它们独一无二的颜色、形状与图案。我生命的历史与经历是决定我是谁的大背景，但是只有我的心灵才是蜡烛心，使热情形成火焰。与在抽屉里等着别人一时的兴致来决定是否被点燃的蜡烛不同，我可以决定自己的思想，决定自己能够发光发亮还是黯淡无光。
你心中的那支蜡烛是否因环境或者缺少激情，没有方向感而黯淡无光?它是否藏匿于压力、担忧与怨恨的抽屉里?做出选择吧，以自己注定的方式去发光。
Some people go through life standing at the excuse counter.
They say they’d like to do this or that, but then they offer allthe excuses in the world for why they can’t do whatever it is. Nomatter what the excuses are, the only thing that is usuallylimiting them is their own self-perception.
If I’ve learned anything, I’ve learned that a person —any person—may do anything they set their mind on doing. The things you needare willingness to work for what you want, patience to learn whatyou need to know and, most important of all, belief in yourself.You only need a seed, and then your faith in yourself will growwith you as you move forward.
If your self-perception is that you can’t accomplish somethingbecause you’re not smart enough, then take the time to learn whatyou need to know, and then your self-perception will change.
If your self-perception is that you can’t accomplish somethingbecause you never finish anything you start, then go and finishsomething and change your self- perception.
If your self-perception is that you’re too lazy, too busy, toounworthy, too unfocused, too depressed, or too dependent on othersto accomplish great things, then you’re right. You are that becauseyou believe you are, but in fact, you can change that! Life ischange, and the past doesn’t equal the future. Your reality todayis the result of your past beliefs and actions. Change your beliefsand actions, and you will change your future. Whether you think youcan or you can’t, you’re right. You are what you think.
Think about that the next time you need an excuse.
翻译：思想与行动
有些人的一生都在借口中度过。
他们总是说喜欢这喜欢那,只是随之给出各种理由来解释他为什么没能去做。但无论是什么借口,唯一能限制他们行为的通常只是他们的自我认知。
如果说我确实明白了一些事情,那就是了解了一个人,任何一个人,几乎可以做成任何事情,只要他们下决心去做。你需要的只是为梦想而奋斗的意愿、为学习必要知识的耐心,但是最重要的是你的自信。你只需播下一粒梦想的种子,你的信念将会随着你一起成长。
如果你自认为是因不够聪明而不能完成某件事情,那么就花些时间去学习所需要的知识,这样,你的自我认知就会改变。
如果你自认为你不能完成某件事情常常是因为半途而废,那么就去做完它,将这种自我认知彻底改变。
如果你自认为是因太懒惰、太忙、太卑微、太不专心、太消沉、太依赖别人而不能做成大事,那么你是对的。英语短文你确实是这样,因为你自己就是这样认为的。但事实上你能够改变。生活无时无刻不在变化,过去不等于未来。你的现在正是你过去所想所做的必然结果。改变你的信念与行动,成就你的将来。如果你认为你能或不能做什么,那么你是对的,因为正是你的思想造就了你。
下次你找什么借口的时候,仔细思量一番。