或许生活其实很简单，不过是作为当事人的我们将其变得复杂。我们总想着：当我们得到更多、拥有更多时，才会快乐、幸福。殊不知，快乐不在于拥有得多，而在于计较得少。当我们专注于自己真正的“所需”，而非相互攀比之下的“所要”时，即使不富有，也可以享受生活、感受快乐！
适时地返朴归“简”吧！返朴归“简”既是一种生活方式，也是一种生活态度。抛开繁杂和过多的物质束缚，用一颗知足的心去拥抱简单而充实的生活，我们将和快乐不期而遇。简单的快乐，你值得拥有！——Maisie
My grandparents actively practiced simplicity. They both grew up in very large families and lived through 1)the Great Depression. Saving 2)for a rainy day and avoiding 3)rampant 4)consumerism was integral to their life philosophy. Rather than seeking fulfillment through material items they chose to spend 5)quality time together, with family, and in nature.
我的祖父母一直过着简朴的生活。他们都在大家族的环境下成长，并且都经历了大萧条的年代。未雨绸缪地储蓄和杜绝无节制的`消费是他们的人生信条之一。比起通过物质来寻求满足，他们更愿意和家人在一起共度珍贵时光，享受大自然。
Over the years my grandparents noticed dramatic changes in their community. Every year more farmland was devoured to build larger and larger homes. As real estate prices rose many of their neighbors sold their little homes and 6)lots. Soon they were the only small house on the block, surrounded by a 7)sea of 8)McMansions.
这些年来，我的祖父母注意到他们所在的社区发生了翻天覆地的变化。每年，越来越多的农田被吞噬，用以建造更大的房子，且愈演愈烈。由于房地产的价格节节攀升，他们的很多邻居都卖掉了自己的小房子和土地。不久，他们所在街区就只剩下祖父母家的小房子，而周围全是麦克楼。
My grandparents built and lived in a small 600-square-foot cottage for most of their adult lives. Countless family members encouraged my grandparents to expand their home. But they didn’t want a bigger place. They loved their little home and were content with what they had. For instance: they gardened, repaired their own clothes, and drove the same car for over 15 years. I still remember riding around in their old, green 9)Mercury beast and sleeping in their super tiny guest room.
我的祖父母建造了一间占地600平方英尺的小屋，他们大部分的成年时间都住在这里。很多家庭成员劝说我祖父母扩建他们的房子，但他们并不想要一个更大的地方。他们喜爱自己的小窝，也非常满足于已有的一切。比方说，他们自己打理花园、缝补衣服，15年多来开着同一辆车。我依然记得自己开着他们那辆老旧的绿色水星牌轿车到处游荡，睡在他们家的超级小客房里。
