双语散文：想要自由的感觉？那就做个好人吧

For many years
 
多年来
 
I was treated in a very unkind way.
 
我遭受过恶意的对待
 
I was not only talked about behind my back
 
人们不仅在我的背后诽谤我
 
but I was spoken to in an unkind manner to my face.
 
还有人当面对我用十分失礼的态度说话
 
I'm sure
 
我相信
 
a lot of people can relate to this.
 
许多人有过类似的经历
 
There came a time
 
后来
 
when I had the opportunity to help this person out.
 
我得到一个机会，可以对那个人提供帮助
 
For some reason,
 
出于某种原因
 
much to my surprise,
 
连我自己都感到惊讶的是
 
I chose to be kind and help.
 
我选择对他友善，并且帮助了他
 
My action to show love and help not only surprised me,
 
我的行动表现了爱和帮助，这不仅让我吃惊
 
but it surprised others as well.
 
也让周围的其他人大吃一惊
 
I'm sharing this
 
我分享这个故事
 
because I can not tell you
 
是因为我想告诉你
 
how much my action set me free.
 
我的举动让我感到难以言喻的轻松自由
 
I now had the power
 
如今我手握重权
 
to treat this person the same way I had been treated
 
对此人以其道还治其人之身
 
or I could be kind
 
我也可以选择善良
 
and put love into action.
 
用我的行动传达大爱
 
The choice was mine.
 
选择权在我手中
 
Love your enemies
 
“爱你的敌人”
 
and bless them that curse you.
 
“祝福那些诅咒你的人”
 
I never really understood this maxim
 
我从没有真正理解这句箴言
 
until I put it into practice.
 
直到我将它诉诸实践
 
Being kind and showing love did as much for me
 
行善举，传达大爱，这对我的益处
 
as it did for the other person.
 
与对那人的益处一样多
 
This is a good time
 
这正是一个好时机
 
to not only show love to those who love us
 
不仅对爱我们的人表达爱意
 
but to be kind to those who have done us wrong.
 
也要对曾对我们有失公允的人表达善意