What I Learned from My Grandmother

安娜·科佩尔/Anna Kopel

Two years ago, my grandma left this earth.It wasn’t until after she died that I truly recognized how much she actually meant to me.She was my friend, my teacher, my inspiration.She taught me things that became my own personal laws of life.They are lessons that have helped me get through each day with a smile.They are lessons that have made me aware of my strong points as well as my weaknesses, and helped me to overcome those weaknesses.They are true lessons to live by, and I hope I will never forget them.

One day, my grandma told me something I will always remember.She said:“Your talent is God’s gift to you.What you do with it is your gift to God.”

Those words have somewhat become a part of me over the years.Each day I thank God for the many talents He has given me, and I try to use those talents in a way which helps me grow closer to Him.I believe that we were all born to reveal the glory of God that is within us.It’s not just in some of us, it is in everyone.And as we each let our own light shine, through our talents and ideas, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same.Just think about what our world could be like if each and every one of us let our own light shine through.I think our world would be a much better place, growing together the way God intended.

One more lesson my grandma taught me was to always go for my dreams and never, ever give up.She once told me:“Shoot for the moon, because even if you fall, you’ll land among the stars.”

I have never heard anything more true in all my life.I have tried to live by these words, and have figured out that it is very important to go for your dreams and never let anything get in your way.Even if you have had a bad experience in the past, never limit your view of life by that experience.I believe that life is constantly testing our level of commitment, and I am convinced life’s greatest rewards are reserved for those who show a never-ending commitment to act until they achieve.This level of determination can accomplish amazing things, but it must be continual and consistent.As simple as this may sound, it is still the common denominator separating those who live their dreams from those that live in regret.

Another great lesson my grandma taught me was:“Never let anyone come to you without coming away better and happier.”Everyone should see goodness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile.Too often we underestimate the power of such things: a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or even the smallest act of caring.All have the potential to turn a life around.We should welcome everyone as we would welcome Christ Himself, because He is a part of each and every one of US.

My grandma is no longer present here on earth, but she will always remain present in my heart.Her words and personality have affected my life in ways I never thought possible.Her lessons on life have become a part of me, and have made me a better person.I will never forget the great love my grandma shared with everyone, her great faith in God, or her inspirational words.She is my idol.My grandma’s laws of life will live in me forever.

奶奶离开这个世界已有两年了。她去世后，我才真正明白，她对于我来说有多么重要。她是我的朋友，我的老师，我的灵感所在。她教给我许多东西，使之成为我个人生活的准则。它们是教训，帮助我笑对每一天，使我意识到自己的优势和劣势，帮助我克服这些弱点。也是我凭以生活的真理，希望将其永记于心。

一天，奶奶告诉我一些事情，使我永生难忘。她说：“你的天分就是上帝赐予你的礼物。利用它所做的事情是你给上帝的礼物。”

多年以来，这些话已经成为我生活的一部分。每天我都感谢上帝赐予我这些天分，我试着用更能接近他的方式来运用天分。我相信我们是为了展示上帝赐予我们的光荣而生。这不仅仅存在于我们中的一些人，每个人都是如此。当我们利用自己的天分和思想，来闪耀自己的光芒时，我们就在不知不觉中告诉他人，他们也可以绽放出自己的辉煌。试想一下，如果每一个人都用自己的光亮照亮别人，那我们的世界将会是一种怎样的景象？我想那一定会是一个更美好的地方，就如上帝期望的那样一起成长。

奶奶还教育我，要一直为自己的梦想努力，永远不要放弃。她曾经告诉我：“争取摘到月亮。因为即使你失败了，你也会落在群星之中。”

生活中，我从来都没有听过比这更真实的事情。我努力按照这些话去做，也明白了这对于你追逐梦想很重要，永远也不要让任何事成为你追梦道路上的绊脚石。即使过去你有过惨痛的经历，也永远不要让它限制了你的人生观。我相信，生活会时常考验我们的责任感，而且我确信，生活中最大的回报就是为了那些坚持奋斗，最终成功的人而准备。这样的决心可以成就奇迹，但是决心必须是坚定而持久的。这听起来很简单，但也是区分追逐梦想之人与懊悔过往之人的标准。

奶奶教我的另一个教训是：“如果不能让他人更幸福和快乐，就永远不要让他加入到你的行列。”每一个人都应该从你的脸上、眼中和笑容中看到仁慈。通常，我们都会低估这些事情的力量：抚摸、微笑、友善的言语、聆听的耳朵、真诚的赞美，或者最小的一个关爱举动。所有这些都有潜力，可以转变生活。我们应该像欢迎耶稣那样，欢迎每一个人，因为他是我们每个人的一部分。

奶奶已经不在人间了，但是她仍然活在我的心里。她的话语和人格魅力影响了我的生活。从某种程度上说，这是我从来不曾想到的。她的生活哲理已成为我的一部分，使我变得更优秀。我永远也忘不了奶奶与每个人分享的伟大的爱，还有她对上帝的伟大信仰，或是她能给

予灵感的话语。她是我的偶像。她的人生准则将永远与我同在。

1.它们是教训，帮助我笑对每一天，使我意识到自己的优势和劣势，帮助我克服这些弱点。

2.争取摘到月亮。因为即使你失败了，你也会落在群星之中。

3.我确信，生活中最大的回报就是为了那些坚持奋斗、最终成功的人而准备。

4.每一个人都能从你的脸上、眼中和笑容中看到仁慈。

1.give up: If you give up, you won’t succeed.

2.get through: If you get through the difficulty, you’ll grow up.