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Decades ago, I was one of the unhappiest men in New York. I was selling motor-trucks for a living. I didn't know what made a motor-truck run. That wasn't all: I didn't want to know. I despised (看不起）my job, I despised living in a 1furnished room filled with cockroaches (蟑螂). When I 2out for a fresh necktie, they scattered in all directions. I despised eating in dirty restaurants 3filled with cockroaches.
I came back to my lonely room each night with a sick headache4by disappointment and bitterness. Was this life? Was this the adventure I had 5? Was this all life would ever6to me —working at a job I despised, living with cockroaches, and eating bad food? I 7for leisure to read and to write the books I had dreamed of writing back in my college days.
I knew I had everything to gain and 8to lose by giving up the job I despised. So I quitted the work I hated and9I had studied in the Teachers' College, preparing to teach, I would make my living teaching adult classes in night schools. Then I would have my 10 free to read books, prepare lectures, and write novels.
What subject should I teach? As I looked back and11my own college training, I saw that public speaking was of more 12value to me than everything else I had studied in college because it had13out my lack of confidence and given me the courage to deal with people. It had also made14that leadership usually favors the man who can get up and speak his mind.
Then I started teaching in night schools, where I had to show15 results quickly. These 16didn't come for college credits. They came for one reason only: to solve problems. They wanted to stand up on their own feet and say a few words at a business meeting without fainting from17. They wanted to call on a(n)18customer without, having to walk around the block three times to get up19. They wanted to develop self-confidence, I had to20my students--I had to help them. By doing this, I found my true calling and happiness.
