以用心為出發點的服務之旅 The Service-Oriented Journey from the Heart

 

年過七旬的長者，精神奕奕學習著英語，「糾察隊」隊長便是她的第二個兒子。

These words are about a student of mine who's more than 70 years old. I asked her family members to monitor her progress in English acquisition, in which her son replied that "She's working hard." I thanked him by remarking that he works diligently like a supervisor of his Mom. Further, I explained that in the near future when we have a chance to see each other in person, this lady should be properly awarded, like winning an Oscar, for her efforts in learning English, one task many people resent, at such an advanced age.

The same person inside the screenshot diagloue told me, 在營幕截圖當中的「女主角」對我說：

「如果不是老師妳，我是不會輕易與人約會見面的。當然，如果不是因為老師妳，我們大家怎根本不會想到非洲去。不過我每每想到那趟旅程，想到有人想去還因為種種原因不得成行，我就覺得實在很開心! 」這位長者對著我說。

"If it were not due to you, I'd never come out to meet anyone. Of course, if it were not for you, we would never have gone that far to Africa, where I have had the most pleasant journey in my entire life. Knowing there are those who would like to go but cannot be there due to a variety of reasons, I am so happy that I made it." This elderly friend of mine told me. 

 

僅以此篇文章，回應我的優秀成年學生們的三個近期的提問， 內文或有不週之處，敬請海涵。This work is done in the attempt to answer three spectacular inquiries to me from my remarkable grown-up students. 

 

 

寫作這樣的文章不代表我自己是全知全能，正由於我並非全知全能，甚至無知無能，在這個世界上，才能夠有如此眾多的學習空間，讓我分分秒秒享受著學習的樂趣，悠遊自在於其中。

To answer someone’s or some people’s question(s) or to create such a piece of work like this does not mean I am omniscient. It is just the opposite that I am feeling the fun of living and learning on the basis of a second or a minute.

 

 

 

 

第一：「為什麼許許多多作者、名人，在他們的著作當中往往提及「人我相連」的道理?」

Question A: “Why are there so many writers or famous people mentioning 'people are connected' in their works, speeches, or lectures?”

 

 

每一次的服務之旅都有不一樣的收穫，今年二月再度抵達非洲時，收我為義女的非洲媽媽，也是一位中產階級的高級知識份子，由於病重，與我已難以如往常般溝通；今年七月，她的喪禮在親友的祝福下舉辦，數千人與會，我所寫的祭禱文，被這整個收容我的黑人大家庭視為珍寶般，印製給與會來賓們。

To me, every single service-oriented journey can result different harvests. This February when I saw my African Mama, a middle class female retired from the post of school teacher, I realized she was fragile, haunted by disease. In this July, her funeral was held. The eulogy I wrote for her was preciously viewed by the same huge family adopting me as one of them; it was printed for the thousands of guests attending the funeral that day. 

 

 

在她活著的時候，我們有說不盡的話可以談；在她離世以後，我仍然感覺她不論何時何地，照顧守護著我，一如那些眷顧我的天使和貴人們。

When she was alive, we could talk continuously. After my African Mama is gone, I can still feel her presence no matter where she is or where I am. She is like those angels guiding and guarding me along the journeys.

 

 

我們無法詮釋一介女子如我從隻身進入非洲之後至今，每每得以全身而退的箇中原由，而我只能夠在因過度文明地區的人類如我們的過度開發，造成我的這些非洲家人們、朋友們、學生們，面對無水可飲的窘境時卻又奮勇突破命運，而在大地淚垂的百轉千迴間，了解時時刻刻，人類彼此之間的一舉一動，引發的是我們如果沒有踏出自己的視線範圍之外，就永遠看不到的疆界。

I cannot explain why, being a female, I have experienced no harm as long as I have set my goals to uplift people’s living standards, those who are in remote regions of the world without outside assistances. Identically, I cannot explain the feelings or emotions I encounter when I see how people from my part of the world who are “coined” to be more civilized can cause harms to the Mother Earth, resulting those living in extreme poverty suffer from the lack of rain shower, a symbol for them to be able to drink water for their bodies. Further, I cannot fully comprehend how resilient such people living in those environments with such void of resources can be. As far as I am concerned, if we cannot see far beyond our own horizons, we cannot see those connections in between these factors; consequently, we would enjoy the “luxuries” we have whereas there are those who suffer simply due to the “luxuries” we own.

 

 

那些在極度落後地區的人民們因為環境變遷所受的苦，難道是必須的嗎?

Is this kind of suffering necessary?

 

 

有可能避免嗎?

Can it be avoided?

 

 

如果我們一個人發揮一點點節能減碳的力量，如果我們少一點消費行為，假若每個人都如此而行，這個世界將必定呈現不大一樣的風貌。問題只是，在我的觀察和假說中，我們之中真正感受得到我們和異國、異族之人，一樣血濃於水的，仍占少數……

If each of us spends less on consuming unnecessary products, the world can be very different. The problem is, perhaps, in my presumption and observation, very few among us can literally feel and sense the closeness of those living afar.

 

 

 

 

 

第二：「為什麼老師妳總希望我們放輕鬆、多一點笑容?」

Question B: “Why do you always expect that we can be more relaxed and smile more?”

 

 

這就像與我上課的學生，幾年之前因為耳濡目染的結果，成為他們今天的模樣，而他們也在時時刻刻將我曾經傳達給他們的訊息，有形無形、有意無意傳達給他人。其中一個也是我自己逐漸才能掌握得宜的，那就是待人接物時輕輕鬆鬆，面帶微笑，呈現喜樂。這樣的態度重要到我個人認為，應該有專門的學校及課程，來訓練人們的肢體語言，但那又和「美姿美儀」課程並不全然相同!

One of the most important “legacy” I’ve offered to my students after they graduate from my “guardianship” would be to relax and smile while facing the others—I admit there must be some other qualities they do carry away; the smiling and relaxing attitude, however, I believe, would be the most significant in anyone’s development. It is so important that I deem people should be schooled for this!

 

 

至今為止，我都還記得身為一位五專學生的時候，因緣際會之故而與一群三專朋友們共同在服務性質社團裡面，為其他同校學生們服務。與一般飆車族不同的是，我們也會「夜遊」，但是我們的夜遊方式是由其中一位夥伴開著家裡面的貨車，把我們一群人塞在車上，車子安靜地夜間行駛，到達不同的地點，走走、看看、說說、笑笑。事隔多時，這些人的名字我卻仍然記得，坐在車子上的感覺我也能夠回溯，重要的是即便今天我們不再夜遊、甚至不再相聚，這些夥伴們在當時的服務工作、課業壓力之下「擠」出來的樂天知命感，相同的言行舉止也會透過今天的我而緩緩流出。

Until these days, I can still recall the time when I was a junior college student, due to certain mysteriously arranged destiny or whatever, I had the pleasure to work with a group of students who were a bit older for the benefits of students’ affairs in our school. Unlike those who travel loudly at night by riding their motorcycles at scenic spots in Taiwan, we would enter this van one of our peers’ family had at the moment and spent the evening hours on the road after working for our school work and the students’ affairs. Regardless of the stress we each would carry, every one was showing his or her best side to be merrily spending our time altogether. Today, I believe I am with that pleasant spirit wherever I go or work although these peers and I may not reunite nor see each other.

 

 

所以，長期研究人類心理的社會科學家曾經表述「真正滿足於生命的人士，在與各種人的交流品質上而言，是細膩而深入的，這種種社交行為不見得需要框架或者名稱來界定……」

Hence, socio-scientists studying the human psychology have stated that “…those who are content are the ones valuing the qualities of interactions with one another and such social behaviors do not need to be framed with any title…”

 

 

對我來說，「人我相連」是實實在在存在的具相之事，就算我不在世界邊陲地帶那些我所服務對象者的身邊，我可以感受到他們給我帶來的震撼及張力，引發我朝向更高層次的心靈轉化及行動之路前行。而「人我相連」的關鍵是一種良質的溝通，良質的溝通沒有真心真意，完全無法觸發。換言之，缺少真心真意的溝通也許我們都「見識」過，最終，也只不過使所有的計畫胎死腹中罷了。

For me, to be connected is a practical matter, as even when I am not with those who are in different places of the world where I serve, I can feel their inspirations offering me tremendous amount of energy and action to transform myself into a better person doing things more constructively for the others. Such connectedness is with the friendly communication as the basis. Without real communications based on hospitability and friendliness, all plans or projects, even with the best of the intentions at the initial stages, would end up fruitless.

 

 

設想，如果每個人抱持著微笑，抱持著樂觀，開展著自我的心境，摒除排外的情緒，接受某種不一樣的人、事、物，這個世界會有多麼祥和?

Just to imagine that when people hold smiles, with the positive attitudes and open-mindedness to fend away emotions that exclude the others but to accept the others as who or what they are, how peaceful would this world be?

 

 

一位專家曾經這樣說：「有很多人常常跟別人說—笑什麼笑?!有什麼好笑的?!停止你/妳那愚蠢的笑容! 說這些話的人不知道當今文明世界裡面，有多少人的腸胃因為他們嚴肅的面孔不知放鬆，而累積無數的毒素無法排除，因為他們太拘謹，因為他們批判太多!」

 

專家說話時風趣逗笑，全場聽眾樂不思蜀。

 

仔細想想，其所言難道不正是如此嗎?

 

 

One expert said the following words before. “Why do you laugh? What is there to be happy about? Stop your smiles! Those who express such are unaware that many people suffer from indigestion which delivers diseases. These people are with too many restrictions and judgements set by themselves!”

 

 

The audience, captivated by the expert, were hilarious. And if we dig deeply, what the expert talks about is really factual.

 

Please refer to the original speech by this expert quoted here.

參照專家原談話內容Please CLICK to listen. 敬請點擊播放

 

 

所以，在世界各地的服務現場，我總是希望週遭的氛圍的是歡樂，而不是憂愁。這種歡樂的氛圍不是我所帶給大家的，而是我們的互動溫馨而營造出來的。

That is why at service-oriented sites globally, I expect the atmospheres are joyful instead of sorrowful. To have such joy, everybody contributes and works towards it.

 

 

我逐漸了解，要把人的傲慢及偏見去除，需要非常獨道的自我掌控，但是，我們已經這麼自我克制了、已經活得這麼累了，為何還要費心去除那份傲慢及偏見呢?

Gradually, I begin to understand that in order to rid those pride and prejudice, strong self-control is vital; nevertheless, we have tried so hard controlling so many things, why bother skipping those pride and prejudice?

 

 

這時候，我們會發現，如果靜靜觀察，互動溫馨來自於開得起自己的玩笑、能夠把事情淡然處之。

At such moments, we would then find out that when we observe serenely, the warm, friendly interactions are the outcome of joking our worries away while handling things with a lighthearted touch.

 

 

難道人活著是沒有憂愁的嗎?

Can people live worry-free?

 

 

世上並沒有忘憂谷的存在，所有我們羨慕的人可能在他們內心的衣櫃裡面，收納著我們完全不甚理解的陳年往事、憂傷情懷，他們會顧影自憐我們卻渾然未知，以為含著金湯匙出生的他們，毫無煩惱。

In fact, there is no place where individuals can lead a worry-free life. For all those people we feel envious about, inside the closets of their hearts, they may have collected many old, sad, and untold stories.

 

 

但是科學界已經証實，我們在思想上有一種慣性，這種慣性帶領我們往「過去」的路上走，這條過去的路上有太多塵埃及寄生蟲，在我們的思想上時不時侵擾我們，讓我們懼怕未來，甚至選擇裹足不前。惟一能夠打破這種局面的是我們在視野的突破。

It is already scientifically proven that in thinking, we have certain habits which bring us to the past which is rotten and parasitized. They not only bother us so much so that we fear about the future, we even choose not to move forward. The only thing giving us that chance to break free from this would be our internal world, our heart, the way we think and value things.

 

 

舉例來說：當有人知道我在進行這種無償的服務工作時，人們的反應很多元，下面列舉三種最平常不過的反應。

For instance, when people know the voluntary service-oriented projects I am focusing on, their reactions are manifolds. Below can be some examples.

 

 

有一種人會說「那些人的死活甘我何事?」One kind of people would say “Why do I need to be bothered by those who live in poverty?”

 

 

另一種人會說「我這裡有物資等，請拿去使用。」Another group of people express “Please bring these resources for them to use.”

 

 

還有一種人會說「何時可以(跟家人/朋友)到那些落後地區當地去看看、多了解了解?」Still, there can be people who’d say “Why can I visit those places (with my family members and/or friends) to know more?”

 

 

三種反應完全正常，他們可以來自任何膚色種族、社會經濟背景等等。雖然他們的反應直接及間接影響了他們的未來，但是從主、客觀的立場及角度分析，都沒有對錯，端看他們要迎向如何的生命價值及體驗。These three reactions are entirely normal. These people can be from all skin colors, with varied social-economical backgrounds. Certainly, what they react to such a global issue like extreme poverty shapes their respective future. To be analytical from all aspects, though, their reactions depend on how they face the values of their lives and the experiences they wish to gain in the days to come.

 

 

我並不贊同人們所謂：「現在是資訊爆炸的時代，所有的資訊都可以從網路上取得」這樣的說法，因為你無法從網路世界的訊息，真真切切感受到一頭小牛在你面前出生，一段時間之後，這隻牛變成供給你每天牛奶的乳牛，在你面前晃來晃去，吃草和跟你一樣呼吸新鮮空氣的感覺。也許別人的線上描述可以很完全，但是和機器說話，與和人類、和動物、和植物、和大地真正接觸，是完全不一樣的。

I disagree with the concept that “It’s a world with much information which can be obtained from the internet.” Talking and facing machines, especially digital devices, would not allow us to witness the fun of witnessing the birth of a baby cow, which, after some time, would be able to offer us the fresh milk to drink. Perhaps some people regard using digital devices or machines to talk or communicate with people as valid, yet for me, to really communicate with the people, plants, animals, and Mother Earth etc. would be such rich experience I would not want to neglect.

 

 

 

 

 

第三：「為什麼老師妳只喜歡引導人，卻不喜歡下指令?」

Question C: “Why do you only like to guide people instead of instructing them?”

 

 

基於每個人的觀點不同，所接觸到的人、事、物俱有不同，根據科學家的調查，我們的腦袋隨時處於「更新」狀態。

Based on our varied perspectives, things and people we’re exposed to, based on the scientific investigations, our brains are constantly renewing themselves.

 

 

而科學界已經判定，在器官的角度來說，大腦是邏輯觀的視界，與心臟所主導的感覺視界，是兩種全然不同的視野，而心臟竟然可以在大腦過度理性時，加以制衡。

Moreover, in the field of science, brains are with logics whereas hearts are with feelings are more and more research-evident; even, it is said when the brains are too logic, our hearts know how to balance our brains.

 

 

加上我們每分鐘的心跳次數，以及我們整個人體內部複雜而多元的結構，使得所有關於身、心、靈方面的一統及昇華的研究、論述等，不勝枚舉。

On top of all these, our body functions as an intricate unit with the pumping of hearts reaching certain numbers per minutes, resulting more and more researches on the balance of body, mind and soul.

 

 

在這種人人可以不斷進化的前提之下，我如何判定自己優於他人，而必須下指導棋呢?

During such moments when everybody can learn and evolve continually, how do we make sure we are better, more knowledgeable, or more superior to the others so that we can instruct the others to the point that the others should follow our orders?

 

 

如果我們無時無刻不在演化的過程當中前進，如果我們的心臟和大腦可以不斷更新，如果我們甚至是在科學家們到近代更加著迷的「正向心理學」的路上前進，再加上「三人行必有我師」的話，我們所有的決策，不是應該經由大量的討論而得嗎?

When we, time and time, again and again, move alongside the journey of evolving ourselves, when our brains and hearts can even communicate or renew their decisions, when we are even on the paths of altruism and positive psychology attracting the modern scientists, and when the others can also teach us so many things, shouldn’t we reach out decisions through discussions?

 

 

為什麼可以是「某個人」說了就算? Why should there be orders from a certain group of people or even one individual?

 

 

我並不覺得自己是項羽，更不認為自己是霸王，尤其深耕於服務工作的同時，我看到的是尊重及傾聽的重要，而不是不尊重及不傾聽。

During my service-oriented career, I see the positive affects as consequences of respect and listening.

 

 

假若在初始進行第三世界國家服務，進到當地社區，從來沒有坐下來和當地人談話，也沒有日後接續的不斷溝通，我認為自己只會像送了一台價值不斐的磨玉米機到達當地，人就離開的「善心人士」一樣，終有一天，人們會由於「反正那台機器對我們而言沒有用處，我們也不知道怎麼使用，不如報廢還可以賺到一點廢鐵錢」而完完全全「忘記」有這樣的「善心人士」來到現場過。

If, when I first entered the world of those poverty-stricken regions, I had never ever sat down to communicate with the locals, nor had I persisted in having dialogues with such people, I believe I might have ended up like those kind-hearted people who bought an expensive corn powder machine for the locals in poverty-stricken region to us. It is out of their good intention for such a machine to be sent to the village, where no one knew how to really use or maintain it. Since it required electricity to utilize the machine and since electricity was a problem as the government never wired the village with electricity, or, even after the electricity was there, there were constant block-out (of electricity) from countless reasons, the machine was idled. In the end, no one remembered who brought them there for what purpose at all. The only thing the local people would like to do was to sell the machine as one out of order, counted as “wasted,” for at least some meager amount of certain money.

 

 

「善心人士」絕對有良善的意圖，再怎麼說，一台磨玉米機就是針對當地人民所需的主食而買到、送到村莊裡面的，但是當地人也有他們的聰明才智得以應付自己的困頓。他們不是由於愚昧不堪而不使用玉米機，而是玉米機需要電力，在深山之中的當地就是當地政府還接不到電的地方，經年有餘。就算接上了電，也常常停電，一樣經年有餘……一來一往，耗材在折舊過程中日日成為廢鐵，顯而易見。在途中，就算要趁玉米機還能用時賣掉，本就被無雨無水所擾而生活困頓的村民們，也沒有請人車到村裡把玉米機運走的經費可言。

 

 

所以，我不喜歡下指導棋的主因，是我知道自己的有限，寧可以自己的有限去換取眾人的「無限創想」。

That is the reason I do not like to ask people to do this and that. The reason is I understand I am very limited in my worldview. Instead, I believe that with many people’s joint efforts, things can be created more charmingly.

 

 

誠然，我可以提出一些想法、方向，例如，我希望在東非可以運行一個照顧本地人及外來者身、心、靈健康的相關措施，但是，這是一個非常大的方向，大到有點無邊無際。

Realistically, I can issue some thoughts, directions and so on, like I hope to facilitate the establishment of a mechanism in east Africa where people’s body, mind and soul can be well-taken care of; when one examines this notion more carefully, one would find that this direction is with such scopes that are without limitations.

 

 

坦白講，之所以要設這麼大的方向，無非是想看看集眾人之力，裡面會有多少創想的火花罷了。

This means that the design of such a direction is to see how creatively genuine sparks can be accumulated when everybody moves ahead towards that direction.

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

結論

 

 

Many years ago, when I just began the journeys serving those very poor, many people never believed anything could have happened. Today, I elevate the service level to the ground where I hope no matter what I am focusing on right now, it is a form of an experiment propelling me to do more in the days to come, on the same concept to provide service to the needed. As far as I can see, the needed are not merely the extremely poor anymore, for they can have inner peace if they have come to deal with their circumstances. The needed can be anywhere and everywhere around me. Because of this observation, what I do every day and every minute influences those around me, including all forms of life.

多年前當我開始這樣的服務歷程時，由於毫無背景也並不仰賴組織，並不是眾人會看好的服務手法。

 

 

今日的我，將服務的概念深化至每一個我所來到的處所，不論當下我所從事的到底是什麼工作，我總是可以用實驗般的精神，把所得與所學融會貫通後，運用在我的服務工作之上，為有需要的人們及物種，提供我可以做到的、或者我的影響力可以達到的服務。

於此同時，不論我此時此刻作的實驗是什麼，對於其在未來能夠使我造福更多人類及物種的方向，都使我對自己在當下的舉措堅信不疑。 

Simanteneously, whatever experimental stage I am at now, I am more than confident that such will pave better ways for me to better serve the others. 

"Why would everybody have faith in you? It's very simple! We just need to look at your previous steps leading you today, and we have that faith." Everyone I've known through my service-oriented works for years would remark things this way. 

「為什麼大家對妳有信念? 很簡單! 看妳一路走來的過程就知道了! 」每一位因為服務工作而在道途之上與我相逢的人，都有這樣的觀察。

今日的我，不再認為只有落後國度裡面的極貧困人民，才是需要協助的對象；事實上，那些人如果能夠自我調適，他們的牛糞屋也可以是黃金屋。這純然是一種目光焦點的轉變。換言之，適應不良者遍布世間。

Today, I do not believe only those living in impoverished situations in the remote regions of the world are the ones who need help. The reality is, when they can adjust their mindset, they view their cow-dung huts as the gloden palaces. In other words, those who cannot adjust their worldview or fine tune their perspectives are ubiquitious. 

 

This sort of reflection has made my willingness in serving the others stronger, since I know that every word and every action of mine will trigger ripple effect influencing more than I can ever know. 

這樣的領悟使我在服務的願力上更加顯著，因為我知道自己的一言、一行，將產生無限漣漪，而且，希望是正面的傳動效率。

 

 

人我緊緊相依在我的生活中，俯拾皆是，這也是為何我慢慢地也能夠體會，為何一塊毫不起眼的荒地，在沒有任何照料之下，僅僅只在機緣巧合之下與我有所關聯，竟然可以果實纍纍，花葉繁茂，吸引蜜蜂及蝴蝶翩翩飛舞。

 

 

I am very aware of such aspects. That is why I understand that when a piece of idled, infertile, seemingly underserving land, under no one’s attention, can pop up some dozens of mature, delicious fruits attracting bees garnering nectar simply based on the fact I am around. This fact makes me realize what my elder, wise friend told me long time ago has become the reality. “Never underestimate what you are doing now. Those different species in those poor regions are forever communicating with you no matter where you are.”

 

 

在這種情況之下，我終於體認到多年前一位前輩曾經對我的耳提面命：

「不要小看妳在做的事情，妳的每一個動作、每一個思想，都有無限的物種在隔海之處的不同大洲，那些妳所到過的地方，與妳相應。」

 

 

Thanks to the way I am, thanks to all those guardian angels everywhere, my dreams never fade, and they lead me to serve more beyond my previous imaginations.

我只能誠懇地說，感謝那所有天使及貴人的相伴及指引，今生的我，能夠如此在助人為快樂之本的道途上，看到為何助人為快樂之本的真諦—

因為我已經來到了一種我從未想像過的服務層次。

 

 

Meanwhile, I can feel that the layers of those whom I can lead my service to are with folds and folds to be unfolded.

而我可以感受到，這樣的層次仍在不斷攀升……

 

 

(全文中英相加未校閱字數：6768 UNEDITED WORD COUNT OF THIS WORK)