小时候，我以为幸福就是考一百分，妈妈会给我买糖。
As a child, I thought happiness was simply scoring one hundred on a test, so Mom would buy me candy.
长大以后，幸福好像变成了一场比赛：更好的工作、更大的房子、更贵的车。
After growing up, happiness seemed to turn into a competition: a better job, a bigger house, a more expensive car.
可是奇怪的是，得到的越多，我们反而越焦虑。
But strangely, the more we obtain, the more anxious we become instead.
去年我生了一场病，在医院住了两个星期。
Last year I fell ill and stayed in the hospital for two weeks.
躺在病床上，我突然明白：能自己走路，能好好吃一顿饭，能睡一个安稳的觉，原来都是幸福。
Lying in the hospital bed, I suddenly understood: being able to walk on my own, eat a proper meal, sleep a sound night's sleep — it turns out these are all happiness.
出院那天，阳光照在脸上，我差点儿哭了。
The day I left the hospital, the sunshine fell on my face and I almost cried.
科学家说，人对幸福的感觉很快就会习惯，这叫“适应”。
Scientists say people quickly get used to the feeling of happiness; this is called "adaptation".
所以幸福不是一个结果，而是一种能力：发现生活里那些小小的好。
So happiness is not a result, but an ability: the ability to notice the small good things in life.
与其羡慕别人的生活，不如认真过好自己的今天。
Rather than envying other people's lives, it is better to earnestly live your own today well.
幸福是什么？也许它就藏在你今天喝的那杯热茶里。
What is happiness? Perhaps it is hiding in the cup of hot tea you drink today.
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Key words 生词
幸福xìngfúhappiness
反而fǎn'éron the contrary; instead
焦虑jiāolǜanxious
安稳ānwěnsound; peaceful
适应shìyìngto adapt; adaptation
藏cángto hide
Grammar note 语法点
反而 (on the contrary)
反而 marks a result opposite to what one would expect: 得到的越多，我们反而越焦虑。
吃了药，他的病反而更重了。— After taking the medicine, his illness got worse instead.
与其…不如… (rather than A, better B)
Weighs two choices and recommends the second: 与其羡慕别人的生活，不如认真过好自己的今天。
与其抱怨，不如改变。— Rather than complaining, it is better to change.
Check yourself 小测验
1. What made the writer suddenly see happiness differently?
2. According to the scientists mentioned, why does the feeling of happiness fade?
3. In the end, what does the writer say happiness is?
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