華特絲耶魯演講

前美國國家廣播公司(ABC)知名女主播Barbara Walters在2012年受邀至知名學府

耶魯大學(Yale University)的畢業典禮演講，當中她與耶魯畢業生分享與知名人物

訪談的心得與自己對人生歷程的看法，演講內容風趣又發人醒思，當中與柴契爾

夫人與克理斯多福‧李維的對話更是深刻。推薦給有興趣的朋友。順帶一提，

大學的畢業典禮是graduation ceremony的一種，通常稱為commencement，原義

為開始，可引申為畢業生要開始進入人生下個重要階段。

        在節錄的第一段Walters談及其祖母對人生尤其是情感的看法，當中的關鍵字是

      “participated”，頗值得玩味。而在第二段Walters勉勵畢業生對自己的人生全力

        以赴，當中又提及了“participated”。請有興趣的讀者推敲“participated”在

        此文之義，是具正面或負面之義？

*網路搜尋關鍵字：Walters Yale Commencement Speech

                華特絲 耶魯 演講

So, as you heard, a few years ago, I wrote my memoir. It was called

Audition, because to me, life has been a continuous audition. And while

writing the book, I had to do some research of my family, ugh, including

my paternal grandmother, Lily, whom I had never met. She was evidently

a very elegant and fastidious woman. And on her death bed, she turned to

her 7 children and told them that she was a virgin. And they said, “Well,

how is that possible? We’re here, 3 sons and 4 daughters. You must have

done something with Grandpa.” And she said, “Yes, I did. But I never

participated.”

    But no matter what you do, don’t be like my grandma Lily “Participate”.

Be there! Full force, full heart, full steam ahead. And in making choices,

when in doubt, trust your gut. Does this feel right? Does this feel good?

Remember the decision is ultimately yours alone to make. Remember this

today when you’re talking with parents, friends, grandparents: the decision

is ultimately yours alone to make.

      When jealous, angry or afraid, try compassion and warm-heartedness.

    Nourish your friends. And finally, whatever hand you are dealt, I hope you will

    find the game worthwhile. I do. And rarely have I been happier with the hand

    that I have been dealt than I am today with the honor and pleasure of meeting

    you. I thank you, and I hope that your life will be like a Great, White,

    Oak. I thank you.