你大可不必一直背着那些沉重的包袱，直到筋疲力竭才想起可以扔掉它。 早早抛开，轻装上路，不是很好吗？

The doctor's young reception asked the sixtyish1 patient, "Are you on Medicare2?" "No, I'm not," he answered. "I'm still working, and I plan to retire when I'm one hundred and four." She laughed and asked him to take a seat. He and I were the only people in the waiting room, so I smiled at the man and said, "I liked your answer... and your spirit." "Thanks," he replied, "would you like to hear the story behind my statement?" "I'd love to," I agreed.

His name was John and he worked for a government agency. John was responsible for approving loan applications for major home improvements. One day a woman called him and explained: "I need a loan to convert my heating system to gas3, though I really don't mind the coal at all. It's those darn4 ashes ?lugging them up from the basement all the time. I'm 104 now and I'm just so tired of carrying those ashes!" John was surprised at this outpouring5, and a little skeptical of the woman's age claim, but the agency's investigation revealed that she was indeed 104 years old. Only now was she rebelling at the burden she'd borne for so many years.6

After hearing John's story, I wondered if there wasn't a broader message here than just the remarkable stamina7 and endurance of an extraordinary woman. Picture the ashes as any heavy burden that one might carry inside for years, unwilling or unable to release feelings of anger, resentment, envy, or any other negative connection to the past.8 Happily, we don't have to shoulder this emotional load until we're 104, or even for another day, or even another moment.9

By choosing to let go of the past, we can sweep out all the ashes that weigh us down and subtly affect every aspect of our health, our relationships, and our peace of mind.

My friend Jean was divorced after a thirty-year marriage that produced three daughters, one son and eight grandchildren. Because she had literally raised them single-handedly, Jean was hurt and angry that the children didn't take her part after the divorce. For months she refused to attend any family celebration to which her former husband Jim was also invited. When I reasoned that her children's perception of the relationship with and between the parents was probably altogether different from hers, she clung to the belief that she was right.

One day Jean called in tears. "Saturday is my granddaughter's birthday, and I really want to be with her, but I can't bring myself to face my former husband." "Jim isn't the problem," I said gently, "it's false pride. Instead of holding on to the painful past, which is over and done, let the feelings go and get on with your life. You're depriving yourself of the joy of sharing in these important occasions, while Jim feels free to experience them. Tell me, would you rather be right, or be happy?"

That must have done the trick because when Saturday arrived, Jean appeared at her daughter's home bearing her famous chocolate-chip cookies and a beautiful birthday cake.

How great it feels to let go! How energizing! And the more we practice the art of letting go of all negativity, the better able we become to devote our thoughts, our time, and our energy to living joyfully in the present, whatever age we happen to be.10

1. sixtyish: 60岁左右的。

2. Medicare: <美、加>老年保健医疗(制度)，指政府为65岁以上老人设置的医疗费减免制度。

3. 这里指由烧煤供暖改为天然气供暖。

4. darn: = damn 该死的。

5. outpouring: (思想、感情等的)迸发，洋溢。

6. 直到现在她才受不了自己已经承受了这么多年的负担。rebel: 不接受，受不住。

7. stamina: 精力，耐力。

8. 将那些炉灰想像成一个人可能在内心背负多年的重担，不愿或不能释放自己愤怒、怨恨、嫉妒的情绪，或任何其他不愉快的回忆。

9. 幸好，我们不必一直承担这种情感重负到104岁，哪怕多一天、多一刻都不必。

10. 对生活中的不愉快经历遗忘得越多，我们就越能将自己的思想、时间和精力用来在此刻快乐地生活，不管我们是多大年纪。