Today I Will Be Master of My Emotions

佚名/Anonymous

潮涨潮落，冬去夏来，暑消寒长，日升日落，月圆月缺，雁来雁往，花开花谢，春种秋收。自然界万事万物都处于循环变化中，我是大自然的一部分，所以，我也有如潮水般的情绪，时涨时落。

很少有人懂得，这是大自然的一种愚弄。每天早晨，我醒来时，心情都与昨天不同。昨天的欢乐可能成了今天的悲伤，然而，今天的悲伤可能发展成明天的欢乐。在我的内心深处，好像有一个轮子，不断地从悲伤转到欢乐，从狂喜转到绝望，从快乐变为忧郁。就像花儿，今天绽放的喜悦会慢慢消退，变成明天凋谢的绝望。但是我会记住，今天枯萎的花朵同样孕育着明天绽放的种子，正如今天的悲伤也播种了明天的欢乐。

要让每一天都卓有成效，我该怎样控制这些情绪呢？如果我心浮气躁，那么这一天将会在失败中度过。植物树木的繁盛依赖于天气，但我创造着自己的天气，可以随时掌控。

那么我要怎样控制自己的情绪，让每一个日子充满快乐和成效呢？我要学会这个千古秘诀：行为受控于情绪的人是弱者，强者只会用行为控制情绪。每天醒来时，我要这样对抗悲伤、自怜、失败的情绪，这样才不会被它们俘虏——

如果我觉得沮丧，就放声歌唱。

如果我感到悲伤，就露出微笑。

如果我身体不适，就加倍工作。

如果我陷入恐惧，就埋头苦干。

如果我自惭形秽，就换上新装。

如果我犹疑不决，就提高分贝。

如果我囊中羞涩，就想象财富将至。

如果我力不从心，就回忆以往的成功。

如果我自轻自贱，就铭记自己的目标。

从今以后，我懂得，只有能力较低的人才会一直处于最佳状态，而我并非低能者。总有些时候，有些力量企图将我毁灭，而我必须不断地与之对抗。其中失望与悲伤很容易识破，但是，还有其他一些力量往往带着微笑靠近我，并向我伸出友谊之手，可它们却能将我毁灭。我同样要与它们抗争，永远不放弃对它们的掌控：

如果我骄傲自负，就追寻失败的记忆。

如果我沉湎享乐，就想想挨饿的过去。

如果我安于现状，就想起竞争对手。

如果我居功自傲，就回想屈辱的时候。

如果我自以为是，就试试能否让风止步。

如果我腰缠万贯，就想想那些食不果腹的人。

如果我目空一切，就想起自己怯懦的时候。

如果我不可一世，就抬起头来仰望群星。

从此，我能识别和辨认人类所有情绪变化的奥秘，包括自己的在内。从今以后，无论我的个人情绪如何变化，我会随时做出积极的行动来控制。一旦我控制了自己的情绪，就掌握了自己的命运，也将成为自己的主人，变得卓尔不群。

The tides advance； the tides recede. Winter goes and summer comes. Summer wanes and the cold increases. The sun rises； the sun sets. The moon is full； the moon is black. The birds arrive； the birds depart. Flowers bloom； flowers fade. Seeds are sown； harvests are reaped. All nature is a circle of moods and I am a part of nature and so， like the tides， my moods will rise； my moods will fall.

It is one of nature's tricks， little understood， that each day I awaken with moods that have changed from yesterday. Yesterday's joy will become today's sadness； yet today's sadness will grow into tomorrow's joy. Inside me is a wheel， constantly turning from sadness to joy， from exultation to depression， from happiness to melancholy. Like the flowers， today's full bloom of joy will fade and withers into despondency， yet I will remember that as today's dead flower carries the seed of tomorrow's bloom so， too， does today's sadness carry the seed of tomorrow's joy.

And how will I master these emotions so that each day will be productive？ For unless my mood is right the day will be a failure. Trees and plants depend on the weather to flourish but I make my own weather， yea I transport it with me.

And how will I master my emotions so that every day is a happy day， and a productive one？ I will learn this secret of the ages： Weak is he who permits his thoughts to control his actions； strong is he who forces his actions to control his thoughts. Each day， when I awaken， I will follow this plan of battle before I am captured by the forces of sadness，self-pity and failure—

If I feel depressed I will sing.

If I feel sad I will laugh.

If I feel ill I will double my labor.

If I feel fear I will plunge ahead.

If I feel inferior I will wear new garments.

If I feel uncertain I will raise my voice.

If I feel poverty I will think of wealth to come.

If I feel incompetent I will remember past success.

If I feel insignificant I will remember my goals.

Henceforth， I will know that only those with inferior ability can always be at their best， and I am not inferior. There will be days when I must constantly struggle against forces which would tear me down. Those such as despair and sadness are simple to recognize but there are others which approach with a smile and the hand of friendship and they can also destroy me. Against them， too， I must never relinquish control—

If I become overconfident I will recall my failures.

If I overindulge I will think of past hungers.

If I feel complacency I will remember my competition.

If I enjoy moments of greatness I will remember moments of shame.

If I feel all-powerful I will try to stop the wind.

If I attain great wealth I will remember one unfed mouth.

If I become overly proud I will remember a moment of weakness.

If I feel my skill is unmatched I will look at the stars.

Henceforth I will recognize and identify the mystery of moods in all mankind， and in me. From this moment I am prepared to control whatever personality awakes in me each day. I will master my moods through positive action and when I master my moods I will control my destiny. I will become master of myself. I will become great.