Tuesday 28 July 2009

Positive thinking the Russian way


This poem by Russian national legend Aleksandr Sergeyevich Pushkin is one of my favourites, as it captures the essential of positive thinking. Life is not always perfect, nor should it be, but with a bit of hopeful thinking, we will get very far. After all, life is what you make of it and people who concentrate on the positive aspects of life are indeed happier. However, it is good to remember that everyone is entitled to have a bad day once in a while.


Если жизнь тебя обманет...


Если жизнь тебя обманет,
Не печалься, не сердись!
В день уныния смирись:
День веселья, верь, настанет.
Сердце в будущем живет;
Настоящее уныло:
Все мгновенно, все пройдет;
Что пройдет, то будет мило.

1825

Meaning, more or less and without rhyme:

Should life deceive you,
don't be sad, don't be upset!
On a gloomy day, surrender;
The day will become merry, believe.
The heart lives in the future;
The present will be dejected there:
All is fleeting, all will pass;
What passes will be pleasant.