更简单的决心　Simpler Resolutions

Be content with what you have, rejoice in the way things are.When

you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.

～Lao Tzu

I have always kept my New Year's resolutions in a file. They're fun to look back on, to chart my accomplishments or to see where I need to work harder.

But looking back at my resolutions from two years ago, I barely recognize my goals against the backdrop of the life I live now.

Two years ago, I aimed for a weight loss of ten to fifteen pounds and promised myself laser treatment for the bags under my eyes.

I vowed to travel more with my husband and to take a vacation or two with my mom, as I'd done in years past. I planned to visit a dear friend I hadn't seen in a couple of years.Work was also high on my list.More writing was to be done and I was going to sell a book idea I'd had for a long time.At the end of my list was a brief mention about keeping my family, people and animals alike, healthy.

Little did I know the complete upheaval that lay ahead for me.

The first few months of the New Year went along as planned. Thenin May, my ninety-three-year-old mother fell, fracturing a hip and wrist.At her delicate age, the fear was not just how she'd heal from the required surgery, but would she even survive it at all?She spent the next month in the hospital and rehab, while I spent each day at her bedside.When she went home, I stayed with her day and night, putting my husband and our two dogs on the back burner.Phone calls had to suffice for the time being.

Eventually, caregivers were found and a semi-normal routine was reached where I spent part of my time with Mom and part of my time at home.

Without warning a few months later, my husband Kenny ended up in the hospital with blood pressure issues.

Soon after, one of our beloved dogs, David, was diagnosed with cancer. Since his age, too, is advanced, we feared he might not survive the surgery, let alone come through it tumor-free and healthy once again.

Those ten to fifteen pounds I wanted to lose?I still have them. The puffiness under my eyes that laser treatment was going to erase?Still there.

And travel：Does to and from vets, the hospital, doctors and grocery stores count?

My writing career?For a long time I was too tired to read, let alone write anything. And yet, I've come to see that there's a plan here.My appearance is less critical to me now.I'm looking in the mirror less because I have less time to do so.I'd rather be talking to my husband during the time we have together, or hugging our two dogs.

My satisfaction comes when the vet says David remains cancer-free. When I call my mom and she sounds stronger than the day before, my heart leaps.

Instead of resenting the turn my life has taken, I'm trying to appreciate the new experiences it has brought. From her chair, my mom has taught me how to make the cinnamon rolls she always made for me when I was achild.

She's re-introduced me to the fun of sewing as she supervises my completion of projects she'd begun before her fall.

I've realized that I've relieved Mom of some of the household responsibilities she so strongly performed for ninety-three years. She deserves it！

In the process of taking part-time care of her cat I've found another pet to love-one that I used to just greet casually when I visited.

My writing career is now up and running again. I've found new locations to write that I never tried before-doctors waiting rooms, a quiet moment before breakfast, while waiting for dinner to finish cooking.

Each night before I go to sleep, I say thank you for the gift of life we've all been given for another day. It's not a perfect life for any of us.It's not glamorous or worldly.But it's filled with what I now count as truly important things：love and health, small triumphs and simple joys.

My resolutions will reflect that from now on. And if I can accomplish those few, precious things, life will be complete.

～Valerie Porter

知足不辱，知止不殆，可以长久。

——老子

我总是把新年决心归档整理好。回过头看看以前的决心很有意思。我会把自己的成就做成图表，或者看看哪方面还需要再接再厉。

但是看着两年前开始立下的决心，我几乎无法想象当时怎么会设下那样的目标，因为和我现在的生活状态截然不同。

两年前，我定下目标，要减掉10磅到15磅，而且下定决心要做激光手术，除掉自己的眼袋。

我立誓要多和丈夫出去旅游，和妈妈出去度一两次假，就像过去几年那样。我打算拜访一位挚友，我们好几年没见面了。工作在计划清单上当然也有很重要的地位。我要写更多东西，而且要把一本书的创意卖出去，这个创意我已经酝酿很久了。在清单的最后，我草草几笔写到了要让家人和宠物都健康。

但是我根本没想到，前方的道路荆棘载途。

新一年的头几个月按照计划顺利进行。到了5月份，我93岁的老母亲摔了一跤，股骨和手腕骨折了。她正处于不堪一击的年纪，我们不是担心她如何在手术后恢复，而是担心她能否挺过这一关。接下来一个月，母亲都待在医院和疗养院里，我每天都陪在她床边。母亲回家后，我也日日夜夜守着她，把丈夫和家里的两只狗打入了“冷宫”。那时候，给丈夫打个电话就算好的了。

最后，我们找到了合适的保姆。于是，我花一部分时间陪妈妈，然后花一部分时间待在家里，生活似乎踏上了正轨，又好像没有。

几个月后，丈夫肯尼毫无预兆地因为血压问题住了院。

紧接着，我最爱的一只狗戴维被诊断出患上了癌症。由于戴维年纪也大了，我们害怕它也撑不过手术，更别说治好癌症，恢复健康了。

至于减掉10磅到15磅的目标？一直没有付诸实施。还有除掉浮肿眼袋的激光手术？我也未曾执行。

至于旅行，来回奔波于兽医诊所、医院、医生的诊所和杂货店算旅行吗？

我的写作生涯？这么长时间以来，我累得连书都看不了，更别说写东西了。然而，我还是意识到自己是有计划的。现在，外表看上去怎么样对我没那么重要了。我照镜子的次数变少了，因为没什么时间。我宁愿在和丈夫相处的时间里多和他说说话，或者抱一抱我们家里的两只狗。

当兽医告诉我，戴维没有患上癌症时；当我打电话给妈妈，她的声音听起来比前一天好多了时，我顿时觉得心满意足。

我没有因为生活突然转变而耿耿于怀，反而要感谢生活带给我的新经历。妈妈坐在椅子上，教我怎样做肉桂卷。我小的时候，她总是做给我吃。

妈妈监督我，要求我帮她织完了她摔倒前开始织的东西，这重新让我喜欢上了针线活。

我突然想到，该让妈妈放下一些家务活的重担，93年来她一直都勤勤恳恳，也该享享清福了！

我抽空照顾妈妈的猫咪时，发现自己又爱上这只宠物——以前来看妈妈时，我只会随意地和猫咪打个招呼。

现在，我的写作生涯又重获生机。我找到了新的地方写作，以前从来没有尝试过，那就是在候诊室。尤其是早餐前四周一片寂静时，我一边等待早餐，一边写作。

每天晚上睡觉前，我都会感谢生活又赐予我们一天的馈赠。没有哪个人的生活完美无瑕。生活并不迷人，也不世俗。不过，现在我明白了，真正重要的事情无处不在：爱和健康、小小的成功和简单的快乐。

从今天开始，我立下的决心都会体现生活的真谛。如果我能做到其中几件，实现一点珍贵的愿望，生活就圆满了。

——瓦莱丽·波特