think about all the suffering in the world； and I did this by switching4 the station on the TV whenever a “Feed the Children” mercial came on。 Out of sight； out of mind was how I dealt with all the suffering in the world。
In my mind； I often defended myself； saying I was just so sensitive to other people’s suffering； and that I would only suffer myself if I got too close and personal to it。 I knew I could never be in the trenches with people when they were in dire needs； because I’d probably be as upset and emotional as they were。 I told myself that was not what they needed； for me to feel sorry for them and cry with them。 What they needed was fort； yes； but most importantly they needed is someone to give them hope； and I never trusted that I could give that to anyone。
Several months ago； my 22…year…old niece phoned me。 “Aunt Lene；” she said in her sweet voice that never fails to melt my heart； “the blood bank called and asked if I would donate blood。 Would you e and donate with me？” I couldn’t refuse her。
The first and only time I had donated blood was during the Gulf War ten years ago。 My best friend was a nurse in a M。 A。 S。 H。 unit on the front line； and I did it for her。 I also sent her a care package full of goodies and necessities she couldn’t get over there in the middle of hell。 I remember how good it made me feel to do this for her。
I didn’t know before going to the blood bank； that I would be able to donate blood in the name of someone specific。 There was a bulletin board with photos of children who were patients at Children’s Hospital。 It was the same hospital where I had lost my daughter for cancer two years prior； so my heart went out to these children who were battling life…threatening illnesses。 One photo was of a little black girl； only 9 years old； and her beautiful face； although swollen from drugs； spoke to me。 Her name was Alexis； and she was battling cancer。 She had been fighting the disease most of her life； and I read where she had been in remission5 twice； but the cancer had returned for a third time。 I requested to donate my blood in Alexis’s name。 电子书 分享网站
生命的礼物（3）
I braved the needle and the procedure was relatively painless。 The blood bank wanted to give me a stuffed animal and a T…shirt； but I declined。 I wasn’t there to get anything for my effort； but was there only to give。 A month and a half later； I went back； and then a month and a half after that； I went back again。 I felt this was something I could do； and so I made a promise to myself to go as often as I could while I was in good health。
I hardly watch TV； but I do keep the TV on in the morning while I’m getting ready for work。 Although I am not in front of the TV； I am listening to it。 One morning I heard a newscaster reporting about a young girl named Alexis； and I immediately went to the TV to see if she was talking about my Alexis from the blood bank。 She was。
Alexis had lost her battle with cancer； and my heart broke。 As I sat with tears running down my face； I listened to Alexis’s story； and the legacy6 she left behind。 I wasn’t surprised to hear what an extraordinary child Alexis was； because I saw it in her eyes when I saw her photograph at the blood bank。 She had the most angelic face； and a smile that was so full of joy and courage； that she endeared herself to me instantly。
It was no coincidence that I learned of Alexis’s life and death that morning。 She was an angel now； and she saw the big picture； and knew it was important for me to know that what I was doing by giving blood may not seem like a big thing to me； but it was to her； and it is to all the children who are still fighting the fight like she did。
I never met this wonderful child； never touched her； but she surely touched me。 Her spirit went right to my soft spot； and I will never forget her。 I like to think she is a great friend to my daughter on the other side； and they are happy； healthy； laughing and playing like little girls should。
My therapist is always telling me that even though I do something that doesn’t take much of my time； effort or money； it doesn’t mean that what I do has no value。 Every little thing we do to help another has value to the one who needs it； so I encourage you all to do what you can。 A dollar here； a dollar there； a minute here； a minute there； a gesture here； a gesture there will all add up。
我们在旅途中
佚名
不论你处在什么地方，也不论你是什么人，不管是在此时此刻，还是在我们生命中的任何一个瞬间，有一件事对你我来说是恰巧相同的：我们不是在休息，我们是在一次旅途中。我们的生活是一种运动，一种趋势，是向一个看不见的目标稳定而不停地前进。每一天，我们都会赢得某些东西，或者会失去某些东西。甚至当我们的位置和我们的性格看起来跟以前完全相似时，它们事实上仍然在变化着。因为仅仅是时间的前进就是一种变化。对于一块荒地来说，在一月和七月是不同的，季节会制造差异。能力上的缺陷对于孩子来说是一种可爱的品质，但对于大人来说就是一种幼稚的表现。
我们做的每一件事都是朝着一个或另一个方向前进一步。甚至“没有做任何事情”这件事本身也是一种行为，它让我们前进或后退，一根磁针阴极的作用和阳极的作用都是一样的真实，拒绝也是一种接受——这些都是二中择一的选择。
你今天比昨天更接近你的港口了吗？是的——你必须接近某一个港口或者其他港口。自从你第一次被抛入生活之海，你的船连一分钟都没有静止过。海是如此之深，你不可能找到一个抛锚的地方，于是你也不可能停下来，直到到达自己的港口。
… 心灵小语
你注意过海上的帆船吗？它在水中漂来漂去，没有一刻停止。其实，我们的生命就像海上的帆船，生活就是那无边无际的海洋，我们在漂泊，在航行。找准生活的方向，尽快到达港口吧。
We Are on a Journey
Anonymous
Wherever you are； and whoever you may be； there is one thing in which you and I are just alike at this moment； and in all the moments of our existence： we are not at rest； we are on a journey。 Our life is a movement； a tendency； a steady； ceaseless progress towards an unseen goal。 We are gaining something； or losing something； everyday。 Even when our position and our character seem to remain precisely the same； they are changing。 For the mere advance of time is a change。 It is not the same thing to have a bare field in January and in July。 The season makes the difference。 The limitations that are childlike in the child are childish in the man。
Everything that we do is a step in one direction or another。 Even the failure to do something is in itself a deed。 It sets us forward or backward。 The action of the negative pole of a magnetic needle is just as real as the action of the positive pole。 To decline is to accept — the other alternative。
Are you nearer to your port today than you were yesterday？ Yes； — you must be a little nearer to some port or other； for since your ship was first launched upon the sea of life； you have never been still for a single moment； the sea is too deep； you could not find an anchorage if you would； there can be no pause untill you e into port。
生活的启示（1）
佚名
一天早上，八岁的桑戈特敲开了我的门。他是我的学生，是来帮我打扫房间的。他发现有几本厚重的书整齐地摆在我的书桌上。
他好奇地问：“老师，这些是什么书？”我告诉他，这些是大学入学考试的备考书籍，这场考试对我很重要。他皱起了眉头——也难怪，在这个偏远的地方，自行车都没听过，何况这种事呢。通过几张大学校园图片，我向他解释大学是什么样的。那时，沙捞越州还没有大学，最近的一所也要穿过中国南海的马来西亚半岛。
他吃惊地问道：“您是老师啊，还要学习吗？”
我们坐了下来，我给他讲述了有关教育的事情，并鼓励他成为有所作为的人，告诉他这些都有机会实现。他拿起最厚的一本书看了看，惊叫道：“好小的字，有几百万吧，怎么能读完呢？”
我对他讲，学会读书并领会课堂所学的知识非常重要。并告诉他，我这样的老师，是特地派来教他这样的学生的，以使他们有朝一日能读懂如他手中那样的大书籍。他离开了我的房间。
桑戈特常自愿帮我打扫房间的事传开了，其他同学也想来帮忙。很快，这几乎成了每天的惯例。最后，我不得不多买些扫把，好让更多人一起做。而桑戈特总不忘把我的书给大家看，每次还都用伊班语发表一番见解。
我并没有意识到自己的话会对桑戈特产生什么影响，直到我出事的那天才发觉。那天，我滑进河里，摔断了脖子，肩头以下落下了终生残疾。
人们用快艇把我送回城里。我躺在快艇里，精疲力竭，一动也不能动，当时，我注意到全校学生都来河边与我道别。望着他们的脸，我知道我会想念他们的。快艇发动引擎时，河边有一阵小骚动。
我看见桑戈特泪流满面地向船走来。他呜咽着问我：“老师，您还回来吗？或许您不会回来了吧？”
停了一下，他说：“老师，如果您不回来，我们就在大学里见，好吗？”
我被深深地感动了，就在船离开的那一刹那，我领会了一个重要的道理：老师须时刻不忘给学生积极的教导。有时，简单真诚的话语会对他们产生深远的影响，他们的生活也会由此而改变。生活中点点滴滴的快乐最终会结出丰硕的果实，因此，我们应该抓住每个机会来帮助年轻人实现自我价值。
… 心灵小语
生活是需要我们用心来体会的。一句简单而真诚的话语，也会影响一个人的一生。因为藏于记忆中的时光永远不会流失。抓住每个机会来帮助年轻人实现自我价值吧。
A Lesson for Life
Anonymous
One morning， Sanggat； an eight…year…old pupil of mine； knocked at my door。 He was here to help me sweep my quarters。 He noticed some thick books neatly arranged on my reading table。
Curiously he asked； “Sir； what books are these？” I told him that those were books that I needed to study for an important exam so that I might go to university someday。 He frowned because in