g rather than acting，willing to put up less than the best. At important points we do not give the job our best effort. Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built. If we had realized，we would have done it differently.
Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think about your house. Each day you hammer a nail，place a board，or erect a wall. Build wisely. It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more，that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity. The plaque on the wall says，“Life is a do-it-yourself project.”Who could say it more clearly? Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today.
生活是一项为自己打造的工程
埃尔马·邦贝克
一位上了年纪的木匠做好了退休的准备。他告诉老板他准备离开建筑行业，与老伴和儿孙们一起共享天伦之乐，过一种更悠然自得的生活。虽然他因此而少了份薪水，但他想退休了。至于日子嘛，还可以凑合着过。
眼看这位优秀的木工就要离去，老板很遗憾。他问木工可否帮忙再建一所房子。木工答应了，可明眼人一眼就看得出来，此时他做事心不在焉，做出的活儿技艺粗糙，用的料也没那么讲究了。他就这样为自己的建筑生涯画上了句号，真是令人遗憾。
房子建好后，老板过来看房并交给木工一把前门钥匙，说：“这房子归你了，这是我送给你的礼物。”
多么令人吃惊，多么令人羞愧啊！假如他知道这房子是为自己造的，他会做得大不一样。现在他不得不住在自己建造的那所粗制滥造的房子里了。
我们又何尝不是如此呢？我们心浮气躁地打造生活，不是主动工作而是被动应付，能省事就省事，关键的时候也没尽心尽力。蓦然回首，才瞠目结舌地发现自己正住在自己建造的那所房子中，自食其果。早知如此，何必当初！
就当你自己是那位木工吧。就当你在为自己建房，每天要钉钉、铺板、砌墙。如果你能这么想，那么你就用心地去建，而且你的生活也只能这样建造。哪怕你在房子里只生活一天，这一天也应该活得优雅而有尊严。墙上的铭匾写道：“生活是一项为自己打造的工程。”还有什么比这更清楚的呢？明日的生活之果，孕育自你今天的态度和抉择之树上。
实战提升篇
核心单词
retire [ri5taiEd] v. 退休；退役
leisurely [5leVEli] adj. 从容不迫的，悠闲的
inferior [in5fiEriE] adj. 低等的；下级的；低于
dignity [5di^niti] n. 尊严；庄严
plaque [plB:k] n. 铭牌；徽章
实用句型
If we had realized，we would have done it differently.
早知如此，何必当初。
①这里是虚拟语气的if + had done形式，表示与现在事实相反的假设。
②differently不同地，类似的由形容词+ly构成的副词还有pleasantly愉快地；slowly缓慢地；carefully仔细地；suddenly意外地等。
翻译行不行
1.下岗后,他经常借酒消愁。（resort to）
2.他们及时赶上了公共汽车。（in time）
3.请看这张地图。（look at）
第一章 J.K.Rowling，Author of Harry Potter