YouthSamuel Ullman Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind; it is not a matter of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees; it is a matter of the will, a quality of the imagination, vigor of the emotions; it is the freshness of the deep spring of life. Youth means a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the love of ease. This often exists in a man of 60 more than a boy of 20. Nobody grows old merely by a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideas. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Worry, fear, self-distrust bows the heart and turns the spirit back to dust. Whether 60 or 16, there is in every human being’s heart the lure of wonder, the unfailing childlike appetite for what’s next and the joy of the game of living. In the center of your heart and my heart there is a wireless station: so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer, courage and power from men and from the Infinite, so long are you young. When the aerials are down, and your spirit is covered with snows of cynicism and the ice of pessimism, then you‘ve grown old, even at 20. But as long as your aerials are up, to catch waves of optimism, there is hope you may die young at 80. 很经典的一篇英语诗歌,朗诵时要注意语调,语速。祝你好运
Catch the Star that will Take You to Your DreamCatch the star that holds your destiny['destini], the one that forever twinkles['twiŋkl] within your heart. Take advantage of precious opportunities while they still sparkle['spɑ:kl] before you. Always believe that your ultimate ['ʌltimət] goal is attainable [ə'teinəbl] as long as you commit [kə'mit] yourself to it.Though barriers ['bæriə] may sometimes stand in the way of your dreams, remember that your destiny is hiding behind them. Accept the fact that not everyone is going to approve of the choices you've made. Have faith [feiθ] in your judgment. Catch the star that twinkles in your heart and it will lead you to your destiny's path. Follow that pathway and uncover the sweet sunrises that await you.Take pride in your accomplishments [ə'kʌmpliʃmənt], as they are stepping stones to your dreams. Understand that you may make mistakes, but don't let them discourage you. Value your capabilities [,keipə'biləti] and talents for they are what make you truly unique. The greatest gifts in life are not purchased, but acquired [ə'kwaiəd] through hard work and determination. Find the star that twinkles in your heart?For you alone are capable ['keipəbl] of making your brightest dreams come true. Give your hopes everything you've got and you will catch the star that holds your destiny.destiny ['destini]n. 命运,定数,天命twinkle ['twiŋkl] vi. 闪烁;发亮vt. 使闪耀;闪耀n. 闪烁sparkle['spɑ:kl] n. 闪耀;火花;活力vt. 使闪耀;使发光vi. 闪耀;发泡;活跃ultimate ['ʌltimət]adj. 最终的;根本的;极限的n. 基本原则;终极;根本attainable [ə'teinəbl] adj. 可得到的;可达到的;可到达的commit [kə'mit] vt. 犯罪,做错事;把...交托给;指派…作战;使…承担义务barrier ['bæriə] n. 障碍物,屏障;界线vt. 把…关入栅栏faith [feiθ] n. 信仰;信念;信任;忠实Have faith in相信,对……信任accomplishment [ə'kʌmpliʃmənt] n. 成就;完成;技艺,技能capability[,keipə'biləti] n. 性能,容量;才能,能力acquired [ə'kwaiəd] adj. 后天的;已获得的;已成习惯的capable ['keipəbl] adj. 能干的,能胜任的;有才华的