THE PRESENT: THE SECRET TO ENJOYING YOUR WORK AND LIFE, NOW!
Live fully by focusing on now
當下的《禮物》 專注當下、把握現在， 活出精彩人生
Everyone wants to enjoy life more — but rarely is it clear how we should do that. In The Present, Spencer Johnson offers a formula that is simple but powerful: The key is to live fully in the present moment. Through a short and inspiring story, Johnson explains how embracing “the Present” can help us forge more happiness and success in both work and life.
His book isn’t a mainstream self-help book but a story that follows a young man who seeks advice from a wise old friend. The young man is frustrated with his job, his relationships and his sense of direction. The older man shares the secret of living a good life, something he calls “the Present.” At first, the young man doesn’t understand. But as he listens and applies what he learns, his life begins to change.
According to the book, “the Present” is not a gift or an object — it’s a way of living. It means being fully engaged in the moment and free from both regrets and fears of the future. When we live that way, we are more focused, more productive and more content. But learning to live in the present takes practice — and courage.
每個人都想要更享受生活——但我們往往不清楚該怎麼做到。在《The Present》這本書裡，Spencer Johnson 提出了一個簡單卻力量強大的方法：關鍵就在於全然活在當下。透過一個簡短又具啟發性的故事，Johnson 說明擁抱「當下」如何幫助我們在工作與人生中創造更多的幸福與成功。
他的書不是一般常見的自我成長書，而是一個故事，講述一位年輕人向一位智慧的老朋友尋求建議。這位年輕人對他的工作、人際關係，以及人生方向都感到迷惘與挫折。
這位老朋友分享了過好人生的祕訣，他稱之為「當下」。一開始，年輕人並不理解。
但當他開始聆聽並實際運用所學後，他的人生便開始發生改變。
根據這本書的說法，「當下」並不是一份禮物或某個實體物件，而是一種生活方式。它指的是全心投入當下的每一刻，不被過去的遺憾或未來的恐懼所束縛。當我們能這樣生活時，我們會更專注、更有效率，也更滿足。然而，學會活在當下需要練習——也需要勇氣。
Language Lab
formula n. 公式；方法；配方
A set of rules or a method for doing something, especially in math or science.
- Is this the correct formula for solving this math equation?
這是解這個數學方程式的正確公式嗎？
formulalic adj.公式化的；老套的；缺乏新意的
/ˌfɔːr.mjəˈleɪ.ɪk/
something that follows a fixed pattern, making it predictable and not creative.
- I don’t find that show to be funny because it relies on formulalic jokes that are easy to predict.
我覺得那個節目不好笑，因為它依賴老套、很容易猜到的笑話。
formulation n. 制定、形成（某理論、方案的）過程; 配方、構成方式
The process of developing or creating something carefully and systematically
A specific version or composition of something
- Please explain how this theory’s formulation developed.
請解釋這個理論的制定（或形成）是如何發展出來的。
live fully phrase 活得充實; 全心全意地活在當下
to live in a complete, engaged, and meaningful way, being present and appreciating each moment.
- The key is to live fully in the present moment.
重點是要全心全意地活在當下。
focus on phrasal verb
to give your attention to something; to concentrate on something.
- I need to focus on my homework right now.
我現在需要專心在我的家庭作業上。
inspiring adj.鼓舞人心的
something that makes you feel excited, encouraged, or motivated to do something.
- It was an inspiring speech that made everyone want to work harder.
那是一場鼓舞人心的演講，讓每個人都想更努力工作。
forge v. 建立、形成（尤指努力後建立起來的關係、聯繫）; 偽造（尤指非法製作文件或簽名）
/fɔːrdʒ/
Meaning 1: to create or develop something strong over time
Meaning 2: to make a fake copy of something (illegal)
- Johnson explains how embracing “the Present” can help us forge more happiness and success in both work and life.
Johnson 說明擁抱「當下」如何幫助我們在工作與生活中創造更多的幸福與成功。
mainstream adj. 主流的
Representing the ideas, attitudes, or activities that are regarded as normal or conventional; dominant trends in society.
- I’m writing a research paper on the impact of mainstream media on the public.
我正在寫一篇研究論文，探討主流媒體對大眾的影響。
- Heather’s music taste is quite mainstream, whereas Hunter prefers obscure bands.
希瑟的音樂品味相當主流，而亨特則偏好不知名的樂團。
mainstream n. 主流
the ideas, attitudes, or activities that are regarded as normal or conventional
- His independent film became such a hit that it became part of the mainstream.
他的獨立電影非常受歡迎，甚至成為主流的一部分。
self-help n. 自我成長、自助、自我改善
the act of improving oneself without relying on others; especially through books, courses, or techniques
- His book isn’t a mainstream self-help book, but a story that follows a young man who seeks advice from a wise old friend.
他的書不是一般主流的自我成長書，而是一個關於年輕人向睿智老人請教的故事。
frustrated adj. 感到挫折的、沮喪的、氣餒的、無力的
feeling upset, annoyed, or discouraged because you cannot do something or something is not going the way you want
- The young man is frustrated with his job, his relationships, and his sense of direction.
這位年輕人對他的工作、人際關係和人生方向都感到挫折。
sense of direction noun phrase 方向感；人生方向感
the ability to know where you are and where you need to go; also the ability to know the right path in life
- The young man is frustrated with his job, his relationships, and his sense of direction.
這位年輕人對他的工作、人際關係和人生方向都感到挫折。
apply v. 使用、應用
to use something in a practical way
- But as he listens and applies what he learns, his life begins to change.
但當他開始聆聽並運用他所學到的東西時，他的生活開始改變。
content adj. 感到滿足、平靜、心安的
feeling satisfied and peaceful
- The baby looked up at his father with a content smile.
那個嬰兒抬頭看著他的父親，露出一個滿足的微笑。
content n.
to one’s heart’s content phrase盡情地、痛快地、想做多久就做多久、做到心滿意足。
To do something as much as you want, without limits, until you feel fully satisfied.
- They played video games to their heart’s content during the long weekend.
他們在長週末時盡情地玩電動，玩到心滿意足。
content n.內容、資訊的內容、演講/文章/影片的主題或資訊
/ˈkɑn.tɛnt/
The information, ideas, or material included in a speech, text, video, or discussion.
- Make sure the content of your speech is not only informative but also engaging.
確保你的演講內容不只是有資訊性，還要有吸引力。
according to 介系詞片語（prepositional phrase）
Based on what someone says.
- According to the book, “the Present” is not a gift or an object.
根據這本書，「當下」不是一個禮物或物品。
engaged in + 名詞 從事於……、參與……、忙於……
To be involved in an activity; to be busy doing something.
- He is engaged in volunteer work.
他正從事志工工作。
- The students were engaged in a group discussion.
學生們正在進行小組討論。
free from + noun 沒有……、免於……、不受……影響
Not affected by something; not having something undesirable.
- The air here is free from pollution.
這裡的空氣沒有污染。
- She wants to live a life free from stress.
她想過一個沒有壓力的生活。
regret n. 對自己做過或沒做的事感到難過、失望
a feeling of sadness or disappointment about something you did or did not do
- He has no regrets about his decision.
他對自己的決定沒有遺憾。
productive adj. 能產生很多成果、效率高、有效率的
able to produce a lot; achieving good results
- I had a very productive day at work.
我今天在工作上非常有成效。
Deep Dive
it takes practice expression / phrase 需要練習；要靠練習才能做到
A phrase meaning that a skill cannot be mastered immediately; you need time and repeated effort to improve.
- It takes practice to build confidence and improve this skill.
建立自信並提升這項技能是需要練習的。
Usage Tip
Never / Seldom / Hardly / Rarely / Barely + 助動詞 + 主詞 + 動詞…
注意：動詞必須跟助動詞搭配（do/does/did/have/has/can 等）
Never have I seen such a beautiful place. = 我從來沒看過這麼美的地方。
（原句：I have never seen such a beautiful place.）
Seldom do we go out on weekdays. = 我們平日很少外出。
（原句：We seldom go out on weekdays.）
