英语晨读

50.Autumn SunsetWe had a remarkable sunset one day last November. I was walking in a meadow, the source of a small brook, when the sun at last, just before setting, after a cold gray day, reached a clear stratum in the horizon, and the softest, brightest morning sunlight fell on the dry grass and on the stems of the trees in the opposite horizon, and on the leaves of the shrub-oaks on the hill-side, while our shadows stretched long over the meadow eastward, as if we were the only motes in its beams. It was such a light as we could not have imagined a moment before, and the air also was so warm and serene that nothing wanted to make a paradise of that meadow. When we reflected that this was not a solitary phenomenon, never to happen again, but that it would happen forever and ever an infinite number of evenings, and cheer and reassure the latest child that walked there, it was more glorious still.The sun sets on some retired meadow, where no house is visible, with all the glory and splendor that it lavishes on cities, and, perchance, as it has never set before, --where there is but a solitary marsh-hawk to have his wings gilded by it, or only a masques lookout from his cabin, and there is some little black-veined brook in the midst of the marsh, just beginning to meander, winding slowly round a decaying stump. We walked in so pure and bright a light, gilding the withered grass and leaves, so softly and serenely bright, I thought I had never bathed in such a golden flood, without a ripple or a murmur to it. The west side of every wood and rising ground gleamed like a boundary of Ely-sium, and the sun on our backs seemed like a gentle herdsman driving us home at evening.So we saunter toward the Holy Land, till one day the sun shall shine more brightly than ever he has done, shall perchance shine into our minds and hearts, and light up our whole lives with a great awakening light, as warm and serene and golden as on a bank-side in autumn.最近十一月的一天，我们目睹了一个极其美丽的日落。

当我象平时一样漫步于一道小溪发源处的草地之上，那高空的太阳，终于在一个凄苦的寒天之后、暮夕之前，突于天际骤放澄明。

这时但见远方天幕下的衰草残茎，山边的树叶橡丛，登时浸在一片柔美而耀眼的绮照之中，而我们自己的身影也长长地伸向草地的东方，仿佛是那缕斜耀中仅有的点点微尘。

周围的风物是那么妍美，一晌之前还是难以想象，空气也是那么和暖纯净，一时这普通草原实在无异于天上景象。

但是这眼前之景难道一定是亘古以来不曾有过的特殊奇观？说不定自有天日以来，每个暮夕便都是如此，因而连跑动在这里的幼小孩童也会觉得自在欣悦。

想到这些，这幅景象也就益发显得壮丽起来。

此刻那落日的余晕正以它全部的灿烂与辉煌，也不分城市还是乡村，甚至以往日少见的艳丽，尽情斜映在这一带境远地僻的草地之上；这里没有一间房舍——茫茫之中只瞥见一头孤零零的沼鹰，背羽上染尽了金黄，一只麝香鼠正在洞穴口探头，另外在沼泽之间望见了一股水色黝黑的小溪，蜿蜒曲折，绕行于一堆残株败根之旁。

我们漫步于其中的光照，是这样的纯美与熠耀，满目衰草树叶，一片金黄，晃晃之中又是这般柔和和恬静，没有一丝涟漪，一息呜咽。

我想我从来不曾沐浴过这么优美的金色光波。

西望林薮丘岗之际，彩焕烂然，恍若仙境沉睡一般，而我们背后的秋阳，仿佛一个慈祥的牧人，正趁薄暮时分，赶送我们归去。

我们踟蹰于天国的历程当中也是这样。

总有一天，太阳的光辉照耀得更加妍丽，会照射进我们的心扉灵府之中，会使我们的生活充满更彻悟的奇妙光照，其温煦、恬淡与金灿熠耀，恰似秋日的河岸。

51.Attacked by a ButterflyWalking down a path through some woods in Georgia, I saw a water puddle ahead.I angled my direction to go around it. As I reached the puddle, I was suddenly attacked! Yet I did nothing for the attack was so unpredictable and from a source so totally unexpected. I was startled as well as unhurt, despite having been struck four or five times already. I backed up a foot and my attacker stopped attacking me. Instead of attacking more, he hovered in the air on graceful butterfly wings in front of me. Had I been hurt I wouldn’t have found it amusing, but I was unhurt, and I was laughing. After all, I was being attacked by a butterfly!Having stopped laughing, I took a step forward. My attacker rushed me again. He rammed me in the chest with his head and body, striking me over and over again with all his might, still to no avail.For a second time, I retreated a step while my attacker relented in his attack. Yet again, I tried moving forward. My attacker charged me again. I was rammed in the chest over and over again. I wasn’t sure what to do, other than to retreat a third time. After all, it’s just not everyday that one is attacked by a butterfly. This time, though, I stepped back several paces to look the situation over. My attacker moved back as well to land on the ground. That’s when I discovered why my attacker was charging me only moments earlier. He had a mate and she was dying.She was beside the puddle where he landed.Sitting close beside her, he opened and closed his wings as if to fan her.I could only admire the love and courage of that butterfly in his concern for his mate. He had taken it upon himself to attack me for his mate’s sake, ev en though she was clearly dying and I was so large. He did so just to give her those extra few precious moments of life, should I have been careless enough to step on her.Now I knew why and what he was fighting for. There was really only one option left for me. I carefully made my way around the puddle to the other side of the path, though it was only inches wide and extremely muddy. His courage in attacking something thousands of times larger and heavier than himself just for his mate’s safety justified it. I couldn’t do anything other than reward him by walking on the more difficult side of the puddle. He had truly earned those moments to be with her, undisturbed. I left them in peace for those last few moments, cleaning the mud from my boots when I lat er reached my car. Since then, I’ve always tried to remember the courage of that butterfly whenever I see huge obstacles facing me.I use that butterfly’s courage as an inspiration and to remind myself that good things are worth fighting for.52.The Dry LandsIn most people’s minds the term desert conjures up an image of undulating sand dunes beneath the hot sun. There are, however, many other kinds of desert. Antarctica, Greenland and the polar ice packs are cold deserts where the water is locked up in ice. As for the Earth’s arid regions, they exist both in areas such as Arabia where the climate is permanently hot, and in others such as the steppes of central Asia where the winters are cold. The common denominator between them is that on average more water evaporates than falls as rain.Where there is practically no rain, as in the Sahara and the Gobi, there is virtually no life.Regions in which enough water falls to allow grazing and perhaps some dry farming are described as semi-arid. There are many of these in Africa, India, Argentina and Australia. Arid and semi-arid regions make up more than a third of the world’s land surface, whereas cultivated land accounts only for one-tenth. They are concentratedin two zones straddling the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, on each side of the Equator.The main cause of aridity is to be found in the circulation of the atmosphere above our revolving globe. The almost permanent ridges of high pressure that predominate around the 30olatitude mark stop rain from forming. Great distance from the oceans or the presence of mountain barriers are other factors that contribute to the aridity of regions like central Asia or the American Midwest.So deserts have not been created by humankind, as is something claimed, though people do contribute to decertification. In our time increased population pressure and over-intensive agriculture and grazing are accelerating soil degradation and worsening the effects of drought in semi-arid regions such as the African Sahel and northeastern Brazil.There is another way in which human activity may affect the evolution of arid regions. It is thought that the accumulation in the atmosphere of carbon dioxide from automobile engines, heating or industry and other gases of industrial and agricultural origin can lead to global warming through the ‘greenhouse effect’. It is not yet possible to predict the consequences of such global warming for different regions, but it may well be that in a few decades some arid regions will be direr still while others will be less so. In that case, people will have brought about a significant climatic change, comparable to those that have taken place in the course of geological history.54.Two Views Of The RiverNow when I had mastered the language of this water and had come to know every trifling feature that bordered the great river as familiarly as I knew the letters of the alphabet, I had made a valuable acquisition. But I had lost something, too. I had lost something which could never be restored to me while I lived. All the grace, the beauty, the poetry had gone out of the majestic river! I still keep in mind a certain wonderful sunset which I witnessed when steamboating was new to me. A broad expanse of the river was turned to blood; in the middle distance the red hue brightened into gold, through which a solitary log came floating, black andconspicuous; in one place a long, slanting mark lay sparkling upon the water; in another the surface was broken by boiling, tumbling rings, that were as many-tinted as an opal; where the ruddy flush was faintest, was a smooth spot that was covered with graceful circles and radiating lines, ever so delicately traced; the shore on our left was densely wooded, and the somber shadow that fell from this forest was broken in one place by a long, ruffled trail that shone like silver; and high above the forest wall a clean-stemmed dead tree waved a single leafy bough that glowed like a flame in the unobstructed splendor that was flowing from the sun. There were graceful curves, reflected images, woody heights, soft distances; and over the whole scene, far and near, the dissolving lights drifted steadily, enriching it, every passing moment, with new marvels of coloring.第一篇 Chapter1 女人你到底想要什么what do women wantO ne reason why understanding a woman isn’t such an easy thing is because the way women process thoughts and emotions is drastically different than their male counterparts. Studies indicate women use emotion to processes thought as their bases for decision-making thirty percent more than men do. Add such, women are also known for being more intuitive than men. This is not exactly true as men use intuition in different ways and have different ways of communicating. Nevertheless, Men tend to bond to share activities, whereas women tend to bond to share thoughts and feelings.So what do a woman really want to the man? Men can get what they want from women much more frequently when they approach the women with a few simple yet affective ().1. woman wants a man to be confident. Confidence is the No. 1 quality a woman look for. Don’t be windy. Don’t apologize for everything. Be real. be you.2. woman goes nuts over a man who will go the extra mile. For example, he opens a door for her; he walks in the right side of the street and helps her to stop. I am talking about being a gentleman. If she is cold, offer her your jacket. If she is in trouble, protect her. If there is a danger, pull your arm around her. Be a realman.3. A sense of humor. Woman loves a man who can make her laugh. If you are dull, you are boring. If you make a woman laugh, you are half way home. Take a chance, be real but be funny.4. Woman wants a man to listen and not necessarily give advice. Woman generally likes to complain about the problems. You need to understand that a woman needs to vent. Allow her this and she’ll allow you in, not say aha while she is talking. Be true to interested in what she is saying without worrying about what you are going to say next. Watch what happens.5. Women want to be treated as they are the sexiest women on the planet, and that no other woman can compare. Talking about your ex-girlfriends is not going to score big points with your new woman, treating her like she is the only one will make her smile for quite a while.6. Woman wants to know you will be faithful. Don’t tell a woman how you treated on your ex, it wouldn’t make her think you are wise, loyalty or trustfully. I’m not saying to lie to her, just don’t go there, don’t treat on your woman. She will not think you are a better man for doing this, just like you want to think you are the only man she has ever loved one. That’s the thing she wants, too.7. Woman love a man with a plan, woman love a man with ambition. Man who know whom they are, what were we doing tonight, what were we doing with our wives. If he doesn’t have a plan, get one. I have a plan, and a plan ready at all times. So that no matter what it will appear, I am spontaneous. But really, I always know where, when and how the evening your date could go.8. Woman says that they want to be cheated like an equal. This is not true. Woman wants to be treated like a woman, not like a man. If she wants to be with a woman, she will do that. She wants to be with you, therefore be a man. This is not to be confused with being treated like a piece of property, not to be confused with being treated with disrespect. Woman wants to be respected, and woman wants to be respected for being family, being a woman.9. Be a true friend, let her share her good times and her problems with you. Be there,rather than just promising to be here.10. Women want to be loved despite their flaws and need to be satisfied mentally, as much as physically. How would you love your child, this is how a woman wants to be loved. Sectionally speaking, woman to find great sex activity than a man using words like soft candy, light touch, then becoming more aggressive as a mood rise to the accession. Woman wants a man to be their lover and instead of sex over their bodies to just get a sex. That means taking your time, showing extra emotion, and being tend a way with her to let her know she is special.11. Woman appreciates a man who is creative. Roses are nice, but sometimes it is extra special to thinks of something that most guys w ouldn’t do for a woman. It could be something stupid. But if it is something that you think she would like, then why not do it, you might have just made her day.12. Woman wants a sense of security, to know that her partner will be there if she become sick or when she draws odd or flabby. Give a woman security is being there through emotion and physical support.World around about love, wealth and successA woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with long white beard sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them. She said," I don't think I know you. But you must be hungry, please come in and have something to eat." " Is the man of the house home?" They asked. "No," She said."He's out." "Then we can't not come in." They replied.In the evening, when her husband came home, she told him what had happend. " Go tell them I'm home and invite them in." He said. The woman went out and invited them in. " We do not go into the house together." They replied. "Why is that?" She wanted to know. One of the old men explained," His name is wealth," he said and ponited to one of his friends and said, pointing to another one, "He is success, and I'm love. Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home."The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was overjoyed."How nice," he said, "Since that is the case, let us invite wealth. Let him come in, fill our home with wealth." His wife disagreed," My dear, why don't we invite success?" Their daughter in law was listening from another corner of the house. She jumped in with her own suggestion," Would not be betterto invite love? Our home would then be filled with love." "Let's hear our daughter law's advice." said husband to his wife," Go out and invite love to be our guest."The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, " Which one of you is love? Please come in and be our guest." Love got up as she walking towards the house. The other two also got up and followed him. Surprised lasy asked," Wealth and success, I only invite love, why are you coming in?" The old man replied together," If you had invited wealth or success, the other two of us would have stayed out. But you invited love, wherever he goes, we go with him. Where there is love, there is also wealth and success."第三章 Track3 爱情就象一座四季花园Love is like a four-season gardenA relationship is like a garden, if it is to strive it must be watered regularly, special care must be given; take into account the seasons as well as any unpredictable weather. New seeds must be sown and weeds must be pulled. Similarly, to keep the magic of love alive, we must understand its seasons and nurture love’s special needs.The springtime of loveFalling in love is like springtime. We feel as though we will be happy forever. We can’t image not loving a partner. It is a time of innocence. Love seems eternal. It is a magic time when everything seems perfect and works effortlessly. Our partner seems to be the perfect fit. We effortless dance together in harmony and rejoice our good fortune.The summer of loveThroughout the summer of love, we realize our partner is not as perfect as we thought. And we have to work on our relationship, not only is our partner from other planet,but e or she is also a human who makes mistakes and flawed in certain ways. Frustration and disappointment arise. Weeds need to be uprooted and plant need extra watering under the hot sun. It is no longer easy to give love and get the love we need. We discover that we are not always happy, and we do not always feel loving. It is not our picture of love. Many couples at this point become disillusioned. They do not want to work on a relationship. They unrealistically expect it to be spring all the time. They blame their partners and give up. They do not realize that love is not always easy; sometimes requires hard work under a hot sun. In the summer season of love, we need to nurture our partner’ needs, as well as ask for and get the love we need. It doesn’t happen automatically.The autumn of loveAs result of tending the garden during the summer, we get to harvest results of our hard work. Fall has come. It is a golden time--- rich and fulfilling. We experience a more mature love that accepts and understands our partner’s imperfections as well as our own. It is a time of thanksgiving and sharing. Having worked hard during the summer, we can relax and enjoy the love we have created.The winter of loveThen weather changes again, and winter comes. During the cold barren months of winter, all of our nature pulls back within itself. It is a time of rest, refection, and renewal. It is a time and relationships we experience only unresolved pain or our shadow self. It is when our lid comes off and our painful feeling emerge. It is a time of solitary growth when who need to look more to ourselves than to our partners for love and fulfillment. It is a time of healing, This is the time when men hibernate in their caves and women sink to the bottom of their wells.After loving and healing ourselves through the dark winter of love, then spring inevitably returns. Once again, we are blessed with the feeling of hope, love and an abundance of possibilities. Based on our inner healing and soul searching of our winter journey, we are then able to open our hearts, and feel springtime of love.05. The Emotional Bank Account-- Secrets of Happy Familiesby Stephen R. CoveyThe Emotional Bank Account is like a financial bank account in one way: you can make "deposits" -- actions that build trust -- or you can make "withdrawals" that decrease it. It represents the quality of the relationship you have with other people. If you have a high balance, then communication is open and free.Let me share ideas for "deposits" you can make in your family:感情储蓄和金融储蓄在某个方面是相似:你既可以"存款"增加信用，也可以"取款"削弱信用。