[attach]10399[/attach] Security, Freedom and the Pursuit of Happiness
安全，自由以及追求幸福
Posted Nov 25, 2015
Imagine a big, comfortable cage that locks from the inside. All the things you’re scared of, and that can hurt you, are outside the cage and can never get in.
想象一个巨大的、舒适的笼子，在里面上了锁。所有你害怕的东西，以及能伤害你的东西，都在笼子外面，全都进不来。
Inside, there’s nothing scary, nothing that can harm you. You’re perfectly safe as long as you stay in the cage.
在笼子里面，没有可怕的东西，没什么可以伤害到你。只要你待在笼子里就会非常地安全。
On the outside, where all the bad things are, there are also lots of good things -- things that are fun, interesting, or just really cool. The catch is, they’re ONLY on the outside; you have to leave the safety of the cage to get to them.
所有坏的事情都在外面，但那里也有很多好的事情——有趣的事情，有意思的事情，或者只是真的很酷的事情。美中不足的是，它们只是在外面；你必须离开安全的笼子去得到他们。
Outside the cage is freedom.
笼子外面是自由。
Inside the cage is security.
笼子里面是安全。
How much time do you spend in the cage? How content are you with that choice?
你在笼子里会花多长时间？你对那样的选择的满意程度是多少？
Freedom vs. Security
自由VS.安全
The opposing forces of freedom and security become apparent whenever we make important decisions in life. In fact, just about anything worth doing will make us aware of the tension between these values.
无论什么时候，当我们做生命中重要决定时，自由和安全的敌对势力就会变得很明显。事实上，只要是涉及到任何值得做的事情，就会让我们意识到这些价值观之间的紧张关系。
In order to travel, we have to leave home (along with the security that home offers).
为了旅行，我们必须离开家（和家里提供的安全感一起离开）。
If we’d rather stay home, we forfeit the freedom of travel.
如果我们宁愿呆在家里，我们就丧失了旅行的自由。
To start a relationship, we have to give up the freedom of being single.
为了建立一段关系，我们必须放弃独身带来的自由。
To leave a relationship, we relinquish the security of being partnered.
为了离开一段关系，我们就要放弃搭档带来的安全感。
Security and freedom are like yin and yang. Neither is complete without the other and ideally, we need some of both to be content.
安全感和自由就像阴和阳。失去了另一半哪一个都不完整，并且最理想的状态是，我们需要两部分才能满足。
Over-Valuing Security
过于重视安全感
According to Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, we all need security in order to even begin becoming our best selves. Most of us who lack balance tend to spend more time inside the cage than outside. We prioritize security over freedom.
根据马斯洛的需求层次，为了成为甚至是开始变成最好的自己，我们都需要安全感。大部分缺乏平衡的人都倾向于花更多的时间待在笼子里而不是待在外部世界。我们优先把安全感放在自由之上。
Do you over-value security at the expense of your freedom? Check out the following statements and see how many you agree with:
你是不是过于看重安全感并且以你的自由为代价？对照下列陈述，看看看有多少是你同意的：
1. I realize I may be missing out on some things in life, but I like my routines.
我意识到我可能会错过生命中很多事情，但是我喜欢这种刻板的生活方式。
2. I would never leave a job unless I had another one lined up.
我不会放弃一份工作除非我已经有了下一个。
3. Being married to the wrong person is better than not being married at all.
和一个错误的人结婚总比不结婚要好。
4. I won’t share an opinion if I think it might make me sound stupid.
如果我认为这个想法会使我听起来很愚蠢那么我不会分享它。
5. I’d rather invest safely and make a smaller return than risk losing money.
比起有风险地失去钱，我更愿意安全地投资并且获得较小的回报。
6. Familiar discomfort is preferable to unknown discomfort.
熟悉地不舒服要比未知的不舒服好一点。
7. Things could probably be better for me, but taking action feels too risky.
事情可能对我更有利，但是采取行动会感觉有危险。
If you tend to stay in the cage a lot, you’re likely to agree with at least four of those statements.
如果你倾向于更多的待在笼子里，那么在以上的陈述中你至少会同意四项。
But if that cage is starting to feel a little bit stale, you might consider taking the risk of moving toward whatever’s “out there” that’s been calling to you.
但是如果感觉到笼子开始失效，你可能需要考虑冒险走出来，不管外面有什么，它们都在召唤着你。
Is it a new job or career? A relationship? A move to a new location?
它是一份新工作或者新事业？新的关系？去一个新地方？
It’s not supposed to feel safe to take risks. If you’re uncomfortable leaving the cage, you’re on the right track toward growth, achievement, and the possibility of greater happiness.
冒险不一定会感觉安全。如果你觉得离开笼子不安全，那么这恰好证明你走在成长、取得成就的道路上，并且有可能获得更大的快乐。
Escape to Freedom
逃离自由
Want to exercise your freedom muscles? Here are a few ways to step outside the cage in small ways. Pick the ones that are hard for you and ignore the rest.
想要练习你的自由肌肉吗？这里有一些方法帮助你小小地踏出牢笼。选择对你来说困难的一些选项，并且忽视其他的选项。