A friend of mine, in response to a conversation we were having about the injustices of life, asked me the question, “Who said life was going to be fair, or that it was even meant to be fair?” Her question was a good one. It reminded me of something I was taught as a youngster: life isn’t fair. It’s a disappointment, but it’s absolutely true. One of the mistakes many of us make is that we feel sorry for ourselves, or for others, thinking that life should be fair, or that someday it will be. It’s not and it won’t be.
One of the nice things about surrendering (屈从) to the fact that life isn’t fair is that it keeps us from feeling sorry for ourselves by encouraging us to do the very best we can with what we have. We know it’s not “life’s job” to make everything perfect, it’s our own challenge. Surrendering to this fact also keeps us from feeling sorry for others because we are reminded that everyone is dealt in different hand; everyone has unique strengths and problems in the process of growing up, facing the reality and making decisions; and everyone has those times that they feel unfairly treated.
The fact that life isn’t fair doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do everything in our power to improve our own lives or the world as a whole. To the contrary, it suggests that we should. When we don’t recognize or admit that life isn’t fair, we tend to feel pity for others and for ourselves. Pity, of course, is a self-defeating emotion that does nothing for anyone, except to make everyone feel worse than they already do. When we do recognize that life isn’t fair, however, we feel sympathy for others and for ourselves. And sympathy is a heartfelt emotion that delivers loving-kindness to everyone it touches. The next time you find yourself thinking about the injustices of the world, try reminding yourself of this very basic fact. You may be surprised that it can make you out of self-pity and into helpful action.
【小题1】The writer may agree with the fact that ________.
| A．life is meant to be fair | B．people feel sorry only for ourselves |
| C．life isn’t fair | D．someday life will be fair |
【小题2】What makes everything perfect?
| A．Our own challenge. | B．Unique strengths. |
| C．Unfair treatment. | D．Our duty. |
【小题3】Facing the fact, people are advised to ________.
| A．feel pity for others and for themselves |
| B．make brave decisions |
| C．do everything in their power to improve their lives |
| D．give up their unique strengths |
【小题4】In the last paragraph, the underlined word “it” refers to ________.
| A．justices of the world | B．this very basic fact |
| C．loving-kindness | D．self-defeating emotion |
