Life can be so wonderful, full of adventure and joy. It can also be full of challenges, setbacks(挫折) and heartbreaks. Whatever our circumstances, we generally still have dreams, hopes and desires—that little something more we want for ourselves and our loved ones. Yet knowing we can have more can also create a problem, because when we go to change the way we do things, up come the old patterns and pitfalls(陷阱) that stopped us from seeking what we wanted in the first place.

This tension between what we feel we can have and what we're seemingly able to have is the niggling(烦人的) suffering, the anxiety we feel. This is where we usually think it's easier to just give up. But we're never meant to let go of the part of us that knows we can have more. The intelligence behind that knowing is us—the real us. It's the part that believes in life and its possibilities. If you drop that, you begin to feel a little “dead” inside because you're dropping “you”.

So, if we have this capability but somehow life seems to keep us stuck, how do we break these patterns?

Decide on a new course and make one decision at a time. This is good advice for a new adventure or just getting through today's challenges.

While, deep down, we know we can do it, our mind—or the minds of those close to us—usually says we can't. That isn't a reason to stop, it's just the mind, that little man or woman on your shoulder, trying to talk you out of something again. It has done it many times before. It's all about starting simple and doing it now. 

Decide and act before overthinking. When you do this you may feel a little, or large, release from the jail of your mind and you'll be on your way.

1.It can be inferred from the first two paragraphs that we should _______.

A slow down and live a simple life

B be careful when we choose to change

C stick to our dreams under any circumstances

D be content with what we already have

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。文章第一段第三句Whatever our circumstances, we generally still have dreams, hopes and desires说不管在什么情况下，我们任然有着梦想、希望和欲望。以及第二段最后一句If you drop that, you begin to feel a little “dead” inside because you're dropping “you”．如果你放弃了，你的内在会变得了无生机，因为你放下了你自己。故选择C选项。

2.What is the key to breaking the old patterns?

A To focus on every detail.

B To decide and take immediate action.

C To listen to those close to us.

D To think twice before we act.

解析：选B。B节理解题。根据倒数第三段第一句Decide on a new course and make one decision at a time．可以知道为了打破旧格局需要决定一个新目标并且立刻做出决定。故选择B选项。

3.Which of the following best explains the underlined part in the last paragraph?

A Escape from your punishment.

B Realization of your dreams.

C Freedom from your tension.

D Reduction of your expectations.

解析：选C。C 分析推断题。根据划线句子可知其本意是逃出你内心的牢笼。结合上文中在过多思考之前快速决定和行动可以推测这个划线句子是指要从过多考虑的焦虑中解放自己。故选择C选项。

4.What does the author intend to tell us?

A It's easier than we think to get what we want.

B It's important to learn to accept sufferings in life.

C It's impractical to change our way of thinking.

D It's harder than we expect to follow a new course.

解析：选A。A 分析推断题。从全文来看，作者主要是想要强调果断的行动而不是空想来实现自己的梦想和欲望，故选择A选项，相比想要成功，行动更加容易。