Question

When you’re working your way through one of life’s storms, it is human nature to focus on getting back to normal, to “bounce back” as quickly as possible to a place where things are calm, familiar and comfortable.

However, actually it is unrealistic to think we can ever truly return emotionally and intelligently to where we were before the storm because every experience changes us in some way. For example, when we experience a major health scare, possibly involving some hospital time, we can never go back to being the person we were before the event even if we fully recover because we have experienced firsthand the fragility(脆弱) of life, not to mention coming face to face with death.

So, now that we can never return, what should we do?

Consider this …how is it that two people can be faced with the same hardship and while one becomes hopeless and feels anger and upset, the other is able to overcome their circumstances and grow stronger than ever as a result of the experience?

At one extreme, we may choose to accept the role of unlucky victim, or become trapped in the “Why is it always me!” negative and frustrating(令人沮丧的) situations. Either way is the result of a fixed mindset(思维模式) that is resistant to growth and change. If this is your approach to life, you will be far less likely to be active in effectively managing change and recovering from bad situations.

But there is another choice. If you are honest enough, you may consider what was once “normal” for you was just the main cause of your storm. You can choose to hug change and uncertainty and learn to grow forward through all of your experiences. Of course, this means doing the work to develop the skills and habits that will enable you to handle life’s occasional storms.

In conclusion, it is up to each of us to choose the meaning we apply to our situations at all times. Different choices will lead to different lives. Of course you can grow forward if you are determined to choose live a positive life regardless of whatever hardships you are facing.

1.What does the author try to convey with the example in the second paragraph?

A. We will understand life much better after an escape from death.

B. It usually takes a long time to recover from a health problem.

C. It’s unlikely to return to where we were after certain events.

D. We can recover from an emotional problem much more easily.

2.When faced with hardships, some people choose to be a victim because of ________.

A. their terrible experiences B. their negative thoughts

C. their poor health D. their bad luck

3.What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?

A. To advise us to manage bad emotions.

B. To persuade us to get back to normal.

C. To offer us useful skills to work with.

D. To encourage us to overcome hardships.

4.If you’re determined to grow forward you have to ________.

A. experience life’s fragility B. welcome uncertainty and change

C. develop new skills and habits D. overcome the fear of death

Answer 1