学进去

I used to be a pessimist (悲观主义者), thinking that the worst thing might happen in every situation.

Last year, my mother had a serious illness. I felt my whole world turn upside down and I had no idea what I could do to help her with her pain. I often cried whenever I was alone.

Last month, I lost an expensive dress that was a birthday present from my father. I could not fall asleep for a few nights because I felt so terrible about the loss.

There have been many things like these in my life. I really didn’t know how to deal with them until I read If You Have a Lemon, Make a Lemonade by an American writer, Dale Carnegie.

“When the wise man is handed a lemon, he asks: ‘How can I turn this lemon into a lemonade? How can I improve my situation? What lesson can I learn from this?’” he wrote.

I suddenly realized that life is full of ups and downs, so I decided to stay positive (积极的) all the time.

Now when I think of my past, I wish I could have dealt with things differently. When my mother was fighting with her illness, I should have held her hands in mine, telling her that things would get better instead of hiding and crying.

Recently, I took part in a school singing competition. I didn’t win a prize. If I had not read the article, I would be sad and disappointed again. But I smiled after the competition because at least, I had got some experience in the singing competition.

Life is not just a bed of roses. There are thorns (刺) as well, but these thorns help us become braver and better. When life offers us a lemon, let’s try to make a lemonade.