从未实现的最佳目标　The Best Goal He Never Reached

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count.It's the life in your years.

～Abraham Lincoln

I love making lists. I enjoy accomplishing tasks and being able to see my progress on a sheet of paper with lines marked through it.I make shopping lists, lists for chores around the house, and projects at work.I find it incredibly motivating to put my goals on paper.And that is why, at the end of each December, I sit down at my kitchen table with paper and pen and write“The Mother List.”

My New Year's list is as important to me as any other holiday tradition. Like watching the ball drop in Times Square or making a midnight champagne toast, my New Year is not official without a complete, updated list.

I make annual financial goals, career goals, fitness goals, and educational goals. Some are very realistic and are easily reached.Others are a bit more far fetched and require a lot of wishful thinking.But that's okay.January is the perfect month for high hopes and big dreams.

About seven years ago, my New Year's list included going back to school for a graduate degree. I knew it would be a difficult task for a working adult, but I had to go for it, especially once my goal was on paper.I took courses on Saturdays and Sundays and worked Monday through Friday.I was quickly reminded why I was so happy and relieved when I finally completed my undergraduate degree.The stress was overwhelming：working on papers until 3：00 A.M.，sitting in class for eight hours, and dreaming about oversleeping and missing class.That actually happened only once.I finished the degree and crossed it off my list.

Four years ago, the first item on my list was to become a published writer. I had always been passionate about writing, but my credits were limited to a few high school publications and a local poetry contest.At the time, I was working for a company that published a weekly newspaper.I figured I didn't have anything to lose, so I proposed a column idea to the publisher.He liked my proposal and my first article went to press in November of that year.I reached my goal.

I wrote for that paper, the Myrtle Beach Herald, for a little more than two years. I wrote a column, covered a Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan concert, and interviewed numerous officials in the Myrtle Beach area and surrounding counties.But no one of political importance or celebrity status made a bigger impression on me than a lady named Rennie Lansberg.

I interviewed Mrs. Lansberg, a recent widow, for the obituary section of the paper.It was my job to find out all I could about her deceased husband and write a piece that truly captured his essence.It was the most challenging assignment I had ever been given.How do you write, in 400 words or fewer, a person's life story?How do you determine what to include and what to leave out?

Mrs. Lansberg told me that her husband, Fred, was a religious man who treasured his family and his friendships.He loved to travel, especially on all-inclusive cruise ships, and his favorite food was Philly Cheese Steaks and wiches.In fact, that was his last meal.

Fred Lansberg was the type of man anyone would be proud to call a friend. He cooked for the homeless, donated blood regularly, and worked tirelessly for his church.He was a former accountant, and though he was a dedicated employee who was named“favorite bean counter”，he was equally dedicated to his social life.Fred Lansberg was often found surrounded by friends, wearing a T-shirt, shorts, flip-flops and a broad smile.

Towards the end of the emotionally draining interview, Mrs. Lansberg told me that her husband was a very goal-oriented person and that he made many lists.She said his most recent goal had been to read his father's entire collection of Charles Dickens novels.“He didn't do it though，”she said.“He was too busy enjoying his life.”As it turns out, it was the best goal he never reached.

The brief time I spent interviewing Rennie Lansberg has made a lasting impression on me. I think about her story often, and especially in December when I sit down to write my annual list.I have not stopped writing my list；but this experience has changed my perspective.

Last year, I accomplished most of my goals. I paid down the credit card balance, exercised more, and stopped putting sugar and cream in my coffee.But I did not get around to organizing my file cabinet, cleaning out my attic, or labeling the pictures in my digital photo album.I planned to do it but I didn't have time.I was too busy enjoying life.

～Melissa Face

人生的意义不在长短，而在于过得是否有意义。

——亚伯拉罕·林肯

我喜欢列清单，喜欢完成一项任务后把它用横线划掉，这样就能清清楚楚看见自己的进展。我会写下购物的清单、家务活的清单，还有工作计划的清单。我发现，把目标写在纸上会让自己动力倍增。所以，每年12月底，我就会坐在厨房的桌子旁，拿笔在纸上写下“母亲清单”。

对我来说，写下新年清单和其他节日里的传统一样重要。就像观看纽约时代广场下落的水晶球迎接新年26，或者大家在午夜互敬香槟一样，如果没有列出一份完整的最新清单，我的新年就不够完整。

我每年都会列出理财目标、职业目标、健身目标和教育目标。有些目标很现实，也很容易完成。还有些目标就有点不切实际，很大程度算得上一相情愿了。不过没关系。一月份是异想天开的最佳时机。

大约七年前，我还把回学校攻读研究生学位列入了新年清单。我知道，这对于一个有工作的成年人来说并非易事。不过，我必须这么做，尤其是自己已经把这一条写进了清单。我双休日上课，周一到周五上班。我很快就想起来，为什么自己最后拿到本科学位时会那么兴高采烈，那么如释重负。我读研的那段时间，压力大得让我简直喘不过气来：论文写到凌晨三点；在教室里一坐就是八小时；幻想着能睡会儿懒觉，逃个课。不过，这段痛苦经历只此一次。我一拿下研究生学位，就把这个目标从清单上划掉。

四年前，我清单上的首要目标是成为作家，并且发表自己的作品。我一直对写作充满激情，但是只在少数几家高校刊物和一次当地的诗歌竞赛中小有名声。那时候，我上班的公司出版一份周报。我觉得自己天不怕地不怕，于是向出版商提出写专栏的想法。出版商对我的想法很感兴趣。于是，我的第一篇文章发表于那一年的11月。我实现了自己的目标。

我为《美特尔海滩》撰稿有两年多的时间。我负责撰写专栏，报道过威利·纳尔逊和鲍勃·迪伦的音乐会，采访过美特尔海滩地区和周围镇子里的许多官员。但是，这些知名政要都比不上一位叫伦妮·兰斯伯格的女士给我留下的印象深刻。

当时，兰斯伯格的丈夫刚刚去世，我采访她就为了写一篇讣告。我的任务是尽可能地了解兰斯伯格刚去世的丈夫，然后写一篇最能体现他本性的文章。这是我有史以来接到的最具挑战的任务。怎样才能用最多不超过400字，来讲述一个人的一生呢？如何取舍？

兰斯伯格夫人告诉我，她丈夫弗雷德是一个虔诚的教徒，他很珍视家人和朋友。弗雷德喜欢旅游，尤其喜欢费用全包的游轮旅行。他最喜欢的食物是腓力起司牛排。事实上，他最后一顿饭吃的就是这个。

有弗雷德·兰斯伯格这样的朋友，大家都感到很自豪。他给无家可归的人做饭，经常献血，还为自己的教会鞠躬尽瘁。弗雷德以前是名会计，虽然他是个勤劳踏实的员工，大家也都称他为“最讨人喜欢的精于计算的人”，但他同样热衷于自己的社交生活。弗雷德·兰斯伯格人缘很好，总是身穿T恤衫，脚踏人字拖，脸上挂着灿烂的微笑。

这次真情流露的采访快到尾声时，兰斯伯格夫人告诉我，她的丈夫总是心怀目标，写过很多清单。兰斯伯格夫人说，丈夫最近的目标就是读完她公公留下的全套查尔斯·狄更斯的小说。“他还没有实现这个目标，”兰斯伯格夫人说道，“他忙着享受生活呢。”事实证明，这是他从未实现的最佳目标。

虽然采访伦妮·兰斯伯格的时间很短，但给我留下了很深刻的印象。我经常会想起她的故事，尤其是12月我坐下来写年度清单的时候。我一直在坚持写清单，但这件事改变了我对清单的看法。

去年，我完成了大部分目标。我付清了信用卡的欠款，加强了锻炼，不再往咖啡里放糖和奶油。但我没来得及整理自己的文件柜，没有打扫阁楼，也没有给数码相片簿里的照片弄上标签。我想把这些事情做完，不过实在没有时间了。因为，我正忙着享受生活呢。

——梅莉莎·费斯