Consider for a moment an iron bar that has magnetic power inherently in it.It will attract or repel things based on it’s own intrinsic magnetism.Over time，if this bar begins to rust，its power will begin todiminish.The oxidative damage from the environment that the magnet has not been able to resist，will render it ineffective，eventually.This in no way means the iron bar is not capable of its latent，original power.All it needs to do is shed its rust.Or，consider if you will，a light bulb that is lit，but covered with soot.As long as the soot remains，it will be unable to fulfill the very purpose it was meant to serve to radiate light.
According to ancient Vedic texts，this is in effect what happens to the human experience.The infinite power that is naturally present in each and every one of us by virtue of our own consciousness，can be rendered ineffective if not tended to properly.The stress of our lifestyle，the pollution of our environment，and the collective stress of our world keeps us from functioning at our full potential.
But there are remedies：incorporate modalities in your lifestyle that effectively combat stress and help keep you centered.Some of these options are：
Be aware of what you eat，and what you use—both on yourself，and in your environment.Choose natural，organic products.
Live a life of kindness，compassion，and charity—it keeps you connected to your center，your source，that infinite reservoir within you that is your powerhouse.
Don’t judge people，or situations—approach each moment with the knowledge that it contains within it the potential of any number of possibilities.
To connect with your real nature that is unbounded and invincible，practice yoga and meditation.
Once you are in touch with your true nature，then nothing is beyond your means—you are truly empowered.And THAT is an accurate definition of YOU！
一旦触摸到自己的真实本性，你将会超越一切，拥有真正的力量。因为你正确无误的定义了自己……
参考译文（单窈敏）
你是如何定义自己的呢？母亲、女儿、妻子、朋友、丈夫、儿子、教师、学生、律师、会计师，还是其他什么称谓呢？你是根据别人的看法来给定义自己的吗？这些定义是否与你真正的才华、个人经历相一致呢？
当你静心独处，情绪处于难以言喻的喜悦时，是否有种不可阻挡，并且清晰明确的神勇之感？就是那种什么都不能够阻挡你，只要倾心投入，便战无不胜，攻无不克的感觉。当然，这种感觉并不是随随便便产生的。
是什么妨碍了你获得这种神勇之感呢？一根有磁性的铁棒，它固有的磁性可以对别的物体产生吸引或排斥现象。但如果时间久了，铁棒生锈，它的磁性就开始逐渐消失。外界环境氧化作用的影响是不可避免的，直到磁力完全消失。这并不是说铁棒本身不具有潜在的磁性，只是需要除掉铁锈而已。或者说一个发着光的灯泡，但上面覆了层煤灰，只要煤灰不除，灯泡的光芒就无法照射出去。
根据古代梵文记载，人类历史中也出现过类似现象。根据自身的意识观念，每个人身上都蕴含着无限的能量，但引导方式不正确，这种能量就不能发挥的淋漓尽致。生活方式、环境污染和各方面的压力都妨碍了我们潜能的发挥。
但是也有挽救措施：调节生活方式，使之有效对抗压力、使生活重心有所侧重。措施包括：
熟悉你的吃穿用度对你自己及你周围环境的影响。选择自然和有机的产品。
带着善意、关怀和仁爱之心生活——这有利于维持你生活重心和生活源泉的联系。这种联系所产生的不尽的能量就是你心中不竭的源泉。
不要以貌取人，不要对外界因素妄加评论——带着一切皆有可能的信念度过生活的每一时刻。
在练习瑜伽和沉思中领悟你的本性是强大而不可战胜的。一旦触摸到自己的真实本性，你将会超越一切，拥有真正的力量。因为你正确无误地定义了自己。
Food For Thought 心灵鸡汤
Anonymous 佚名
There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real！
When the door of happiness closes，another opens，but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don’t see the one which has been opened for us.
Don’t go for looks；they can deceive.Don’t go for wealth；even that fades away.Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright.Find the one that makes your heart smile.Dream what you want to dream；go where you want to go；be what you want to be，because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet，enough trials to make you strong，enough sorrow to keep you human，enough hope to make you happy.
The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything；they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.
Love begins with a smile，grows with a kiss and ends with a tear.
The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past，you can’t go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
When you were born，you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.Live your life so that when you die，you’re the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.
当一扇门关闭，另一扇门就会开启。人生永远是公平的。关键是你要对自己公平……
参考译文（刘文馨）
人的一生中，总会有这样的时刻：当你非常思念一个人时，总是希望能够梦想照进现实，并拥他入怀。
当一扇门关闭，另一扇门就会开启，但是通常情况下，人们总是在关闭的那扇门前纠结，而忽略了新开启的那一扇门。
不要追求外表，华丽可以伪装。不要追求财富，金钱都是浮云。应该去追求能使你会心微笑的人，因为只要一个微笑就能点亮黑暗，绽放光明。去寻找那个能使你心灵微笑的人吧。去追求你想追求的梦；去你想去的地方；做你想做的人，因为生命只有一次，你也只有一次机会去做那些你想做的事。
愿足够的幸福让你感到甜蜜；足够的历练让你变得强壮；足够的悲伤让你保持人情味；足够的希望让你感到快乐。
最幸福的人不会奢求最好的东西，他们所做的只是顺其自然。爱总是始于微笑，在每一次接吻时升华，而止于泪水。最辉煌的未来总是建立在对过去的遗忘基础之上的，不忘却过去的失败和伤心，你就不能拥有幸福。降生人世时，你在哭，而周围的每一个人都在笑。好好生活，离开人世时，只有你在笑，而周围的每一个人都在哭。
妙译沙龙
Would your strokes be tremblingly timid or brilliantly bold？Fancy with a flourish or plain？
落笔时，你是战战兢兢，还是铿锵有力？是满心构思？还是毫无头绪？
If I become overly proud I will remember a moment of weakness.
变得不可一世时，就想想自己怯懦的时候。
Contrary to the commercials on television，you can have friends who use drugs.In fact，probably everyone does without realizing it.
电视上有这么一则广告，说：你身边的朋友可能正在吸食毒品。但实际上，根本不会有人看完这则广告就有意识的去调查他的朋友是不是吸毒。
Wise men don’t care for what they can’t have.
智者不会为了得不到的东西烦恼。
In a calm sea every man is a pilot.
平静的海上易驶船。
There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real！
人的一生中，总会有这样的时刻，当你非常思念一个人时，总是希望能够梦想照进现实，并拥他入怀。
Don’t go for looks；they can deceive.Don’t go for wealth；even that fades away.
不要追求外表，华丽可以伪装。不要追求财富，金钱都是浮云。
