真金不怕火煉 Steel Is Forged In Fire
本文英語版本於中文版本之後
In this piece of work, English version is after that of the Mandarin
Chinese.
前言
風雨之中故人來，前來的故人是長輩，饋贈了我想也沒有想到的精品作為禮物，其中吃食部份一定要我當面拆開來品嚐，回敬的禮品也被婉謝。
想到自己的外籍友人說我是個渾身具有魔法的人……我則免不了感到自己永遠從別人身上汲取無限的能量和資源，才得以進行種種過去想也沒有想過的歷程及任務。
恍然大悟
在經歷過多種生命旅程後，我已經不覺得每椿事件的發生、每個人物的出現，會是獨立的，相反地，我覺察自己慢慢能夠體會為何許多知名著作中常常提及「人我相連」的概念─那種每個人、事、物其實互為因果，環環相扣的主軸，不但在中外典籍中俯拾皆是，更在我自己的日常生活中隨處可見。
記憶猶新的是應邀出席一個正式場合，為國際服務事項發聲，是時，將演講題目命名為
「人我相連」，而在座一位衣裝鼻挺的男士詢問了我：
「王小姐，請問妳這個演講題目是什麼意思?」
或者題目不甚清楚，又或者我本身的說明不夠精準，不論是什麼，對於許多人來說，要想像自己和別人有所連結、甚至與陌生人有所相關，並非一件容易的事，再怎麼說我們都花費許許多多時間在澄清我們自己、與我們週遭密切相關的種種上。
將目光放遠，乃至從高處遠望，如果是從休閒、拍照的角度，固然相對從容，饒是如此，都有人對於「旅途」、「旅行」抱怨連連，而如果這樣的登高望遠必須和「眾人之事」有所牽扯，則從來都不免讓人倍感艱辛。
所以我們的俗諺：「吃得苦中苦，方為人上人」所關注的是一己之功名利祿；如此，又再度回到了個人、而非人我相連的觸角延伸之上。
只是，老吾老以及人之老、幼吾幼以及人之幼，當真如此不易、如此艱鉅?!
還是它可以從感恩的善念培養起，進而成為良善的光火，點燃那無數昏天暗地的內在世界?!
探病
探病其一
一位優秀成年學生的另一半，身染宿疾，連續幾週時間和這位學生溝通、了解狀況。
「可以到醫院探病嗎？」
學生說我另一半一方面年歲增長，再方面惡疾纏身，無心見客，請勿要費心。
有鑑於此，我轉而請有宗教信仰的中外友人替其與家人祈禱，同時開始手作一個作品意欲贈予這位學生本人。作品裡面滿是祝禱，在創作的過程中所採用的材料、色澤，則是對應到這家人目前所經歷的事件的。
待得作品完成，我們一行數人仍是來到醫院，只是僅遵他們的交待，沒打算跟病患見面，只是探望陪病的吾之學生。沒料到學生見到我們後說：
「我帶妳們到病房去看我先生。」
頓時我有些不知所措……稍後應有大雷雨，那麼我們就不久留，我們這樣回應。走入病房後，只見學生的另一半神采奕奕看著電視，雖然因重大手術不便說話，但雙眼炯炯有神，有力的手臂與我們揮著手，讓人嘖嘖稱奇。
「醫生說術後復原狀況十分良好，本來我們被告知必須住院三個月，現在卻可能不需要那麼久了……」我們離開病房時學生如此告訴我。
我想著我們造訪的這一行人，替這位學生準備了一張充滿祝福的卡片、一本關於生離死別的國際暢銷書、和我的手作作品、以及許許多多祝禱……
不知不覺，我們是否集合了某種能量而使得這場病痛的力道不要那麼艱鉅?!
探病其二
我總感到自己有很多東西可贈他人，每每與人見面總要備些「禮品」，那麼，給這些探病的同行者們，我也為她們手作了什物……
「哇! 老師，這很別緻耶! 我覺得我會使用哦!」
「老師怎麼想出這個東西的?!」
我就是淡淡微笑，沒說太多，只告訴她們所用材料精美，所費工時不短，一份心意，一種情懷，請她們盡情使用，享受人生中的種種美好情節。
我們在雷雨加交前道別，饋贈者天地昭昭，盡興而暖心。
分道揚鑣之前，其中一名學生在說明其近期計畫、同時與我討論之後，對我說及：
「老師的作品應該放在一個人體模型、一個MODEL上，讓他人欣賞這樣的作品的優美。」
探病後才沒有幾天，我接到了兩個大型人體模型當作禮物，對方與我說：
「知道您總有新作品……或許用得到。」
上蒼總是知道我們何時需要什麼……我實在萬分感謝。
真金不怕火煉
有名成年學生詢問我一件事，使我陷入沉思。
「老師，您在全球排名前五的學術機構拿到學位，卻在這幾年選擇於公立小學教書，老師您怎麼放下身段指導那些少不經事又毛毛燥燥的小孩子?!
我這樣問是因為在我的工作領域裡面要帶人，我常常感到力不從心或者瀕臨抓狂邊緣，老師您的耐性是哪裡來的?!」
並不好回答的問題，所以我寧可仍將焦點轉至他人之上：那些我所研讀過的人士、那些曾經與我同至外埠服務的學生們、那些我所不識但卻後來有所交流的人們……
少女時期的我思考過，自己必須作為一個怎樣的人，而我的答案在當時似乎便呼之欲出，原因是我參加了一個名為「懷念趙麗蓮女士」的英語演講比賽，當時我的英語條件不足以與其他競爭者並駕齊驅，但是這位被人們暱稱為「鵝媽媽」的趙麗蓮女士、與後來大眾耳熟能詳的彭蒙惠女士一樣，在台灣投身於英語教育場域工作方面的事蹟，令人景仰。
爾後當在歷程之中並未遠離喜好閱讀、加上可以自行解讀更多外文書籍後，繼而在世上西方女性的足跡之中，了解南丁格爾如何撇下貴族嬌嬌女身份，選擇獨身並投入當時被視為連女傭或妓女都不如的護士行列，進而以其學養、氣度、財力、實作等，大幅改寫英國乃至其他與英國所有相關英語系國家人士，對於護士一職的偏見以及訓練方式；
又或者了解彼得兔創始者如何力排眾議，同樣以上流社會的女性身份投身動物擬人繪畫，不但樹立兒童文學的嶄新風貌，更進一步將版稅所獲，藉由孩堤時期玩伴一名律師的協助，投入保育英國本土位居要津之地的五大湖、偌大林地自然風貌的步履，亦在年過半百後與這名孩堤時期舊識結為連理；
或如心理醫生伊麗莎白·庫伯勒-羅絲之流，如何以歐陸人士之姿移民美國，從事心理衛生醫療方面工作經年有餘，著作等身，從而改寫人類對於臨終照顧及生死的視角……
太多太多不勝枚舉的故事不僅僅發生在西方世界，亦發生在東方世界，而這些故事告訴了我們一件事：
雖然這些人士在初來乍到於這個世間的當下，都和我們一樣赤身裸體，甚至出身於一貧如洗的家庭，但憑藉著努力、毅力、愛心等等完全正面的特質和力量，許多原本並非如此的事實變成既成事實。
我想，他們身邊看著他們成長、蛻變、掙扎的人必定常常想著：「真沒想到這個人會變成這樣的風貌呀?!」
至少，我們之中應該沒有任何一個人可以料事如神，我們頂多是在種種變化萬千的人生考驗中，恆長保有著希望和信念，而當我們感到前路黯淡無光時，我們仍可謹記繪製彼得兔的波特女士，是如何在無人曾經賦予動物人類的形象時，品嚐著孤立無援的滋味，又或者南丁格爾如何在她長期為病魔所擾的同時，於病床上和那些可以在國會中發聲的男士們，討論她改革護理世界的願景。是以，即始在陰暗的幽谷，我們也能夠見到他人為我們所建構的一線生機、甚至彩虹斑斕，以使我們繼續勇敢面對下一首舞曲，跳出我們那優雅曼妙的舞步。
第一屆閃亮小姐、閃亮先生年度聚會
活動重心
本活動是為了在生活中閃閃發光的閃亮小姐、閃亮先生們所設計，我們期待這些閃閃發光的人們，為了更加美好的世界而共聚一堂。
活動時間
第一屆「閃亮小姐、閃亮先生年度聚會」將於
二○二五年七月十七及七月十八舉辦
活動地點
肯亞
娜滿加
「善貝勒、海百濤家族莊園」
活動議程
公開演說或表演
任何世界各地到場的閃亮小姐、閃亮先生們
均可針對助益世上其他人群或物種之相關議題
進行型態如音樂、舞蹈、演說等之演出
惟時長請勿超過二十分鐘
美食分享
歡迎來自世界各地的閃亮小姐、閃亮先生們
在活動期間
於活動地點分享事先準備完善的美食
藝術與文化
歡迎來自世界各地的閃亮小姐、閃亮先生們
在活動期間
於活動地點分享事先創作完成的藝術作品本體或其影像
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請於本部落格或者我們的臉專留下您的訊息，
我們會盡快根據您提供的資訊，與您連絡，也請容許我們有處理來訊的餘裕。
各方善款
任何捐贈均將由落後國度地區之草根、在地組織一體受益，
透過他們的公允分配，
使用於落後社區人群、物種之基礎發展之上。
上開文字英語版本如下 English version of this work is below
Prelude
In
the rain, an old friend who is a much-respected older person visited me. In this
visit, I was given the most exquisite gifts. Among them, there was the local
delicacy which I was requested to taste right before this friend left. I could
not have pictured. In return, this friend asked for nothing.
Remembering
what my foreign friend told me that “Hope, you have magic in you,” I sense that
it is literally those people around me providing me with all these strengths
and energies that I am able to handle things I need to deal with through all
these years.
Thorough Realization
At
this stage of my life where different incidences have taken place, I am more
than convinced that things happen for reasons, as they are, most of the time,
intertwined with other matters involving various individuals’ and factual events.
Such themes can not only be observed in all sorts of situations recorded in
various literature east and west, but also in my daily lives.
Clearly
I recall that upon presenting myself for the theme of international service
projects, I was asked by a well dressed gentleman with formal suit “Ms. Wang,
what is the meaning of your topic ‘Everyone is Connected’?”
Perhaps
my topic was ambiguous, or my explanations were unclear. For many people,
though, to imagine that we are connected with one another, especially with
strangers, is not an easy task, for most of us spend most of our time
clarifying ourselves, our relations with those surrounding us, not necessarily
people who are viewed as unrelated to us, resulting the idea of looking outside
our box with even the grander views quite challenging. Perhaps to observe
things other than us can be done when we travel, but even in different
journeys, various people complain about being tiresome. Therefore, when it
comes to visions of serving the needed who are mostly strangers, people would
claim that such things are too hard. This would lead us to the notion that “to
be successful” is mostly about how an individual can attain his or her senses
of fulfillment, instead of reaching out for the others.
About
all these, I have but a few questions:
Is
it truly very difficult for us to serve the needed?
Can
this kind of service be cultivated from within, beginning from being grateful,
so that the insurmountable amount of hopelessness and helplessness can be catered?
Visit Someone in the Hospital
Visit Someone in the Hospital
PART
I
The
better half of one of my outstanding students, has suffered from a form of
life-threatening cancer. For weeks, I have communicated with this student,
Cindy, for an update of her family and husband’s conditions.
“May
we visit you and your husband in the hospital?” I inquired.
Cindy’s
reply made me worried. “My husband is not young anymore. He does not feel like
seeing visitors. Besides, the future prospect is not too pleasant.”
Due
to this, I pleaded with my friends who are religious to pray for Cindy and her
family. Simultaneously, I began hand-made a project filled with prayers for
Cindy herself. During the creative process, those materials and colors chosen
would be in accordance with what Cindy and her family have been through.
About
the time the project was completed, several of us met at this hospital where
Cindy’s husband was hospitalized. We did not expect to see her husband in
person, yet when Cindy saw us, she motioned,
“Let
me bring you to the ward for a visit of my husband.” Her change of manner made
me a bit bewildered.
We
expressed that heavy rain shower would arrive soon, so we would not stay long.
To
our amazement, Cindy’s husband looked quite energetic after his surgery.
Regardless of his unable to talk to us directly due to the surgical procedures,
he waved and nodded, with his eyes filled with energy. While ushering us away,
Cindy said,
“Our
physician mentioned my husband’s recovery is speedy. Originally we were told he
needed to be hospitalized for three months; however, we do not think we need to
be here that long.”
Thinking
back, I recall we have prepared a card, the book “Love is Real” written by Dr.
Brian Weiss translated into Mandarin Chinese with stories about how soul mates
travel through time and space to meet, and my handmade project, with many, many
prayers at the same time…
I
wonder whether out of nowhere we have gathered as much energy as possible to
beat the destructive forces of this cancer?
Visit Someone in the Hospital
Part
II
Often,
I am aware I can present people with gifts, which is why when I meet different
people, I enjoy prepare different presents for them. Hence, for these people
visiting Cindy and her husband with me, I have prepared them some handmade
items as well.
“WOW,
this is pretty! I will use it for certain!”
How
is it possible you would be able to create such sophisticated stuff?”
I
just smiled, without stating too many facts. Merely, I explained they were made
of fine materials and it could be time-consuming. I hope they can utilize the
items at ease while enjoying life to their fullest. Before the rain shower did
arrive, we were saying farewell, with my own heart and soul filled with
sparkles. One person stated “Your works can be worn by a model, like on a
statue, for the others to appreciate the beauty of your works.”
After
hearing these, in just a few days, I received the present of two models, a male
and a female, with wooden arms and hands. I was told
“You
seem to produce many different artistic projects day in, day out… Maybe you can
utilize these models.”
I
reckon there are amazing elements sensing what we need at which moments…I am
more than grateful.
Steel is forged in fire
A
question an adult student asked me about made me fall into contemplation. The
question is like this.
“You
have earned your higher degree in this world-class institute, yet you have
chosen to teach elementary school children who can be ruthlessly. How do you
forsake your dignity or pride, lowering yourself to their standards? I ask you
these because in my job, I need to manage people whom I would feel frustrated
by and or angry about…I mean, where is your patience from?”
Such
questions are not easy to be answered. I would rather focus, still, on the
others, like those whom I have studied about, those whom I have worked
overseas, and those who used to be strangers but have interacted with me…
As
a teenager, I thought about what kind of person I would like to be. Perhaps my
answer was a bit apparent at the moment, esp. after I took part in an English
public speaking contest held for the general public to commemorate a person
working in Taiwan relentlessly for the education of people’s English
proficiency. These people’s efforts are much respected.
After
some time, when I was able to read more books written in English, I have
discovered that in the West, many women have marked milestones for the rest of
humanity because they were courageous enough to make a difference. In fact,
from all walks of life, many females have altogether changed the world. It
makes me wonder whether those who have known them through the years would note,
“How
would she become the way s/he is?!”
To
say the least, never would us in our wildest dreams foresee what can lie in
front of us—the only next best thing we can do, after being shocked again and
again from the vicissitudes in life, is to hold onto the hope and faith we may
still possess dearly inside each and every of us. Desperately, when we are
trying to see more clearly at roads ahead, I believe we should never forget
that Beatrix Potter used to walk in despairs when no one saw it important for
animal characters to wear clothes or to stand up like human beings, and
Florence Nightingale suffered from terminal illness pestering her when she,
bed-bound, was trying to communicate with her allies about the significance of
transforming the ways nurses needed to be trained. In the valleys of desperations,
there would always be rainbows drawn by someone, many others, for us to see in
them our reflections, intact and beautiful, totally prepared to dance in the
next song elegantly.
My
belief is we are all beautiful, and as Ms. Shine and Mr. Shine, we can always
make a difference.
First Annual Shine Shine Shine Event
Description
This event is for Ms. Shine and Mr. Shine, those who shine in their lives, to gather altogether for some continual inspirations generating a better world.
Time Frame: This year, the First Annual Shine Shine Shine Event will be held from July 17 and July 18, 2025
Location
Sempettah's and Kaipaitao's Yard, Namanga, Kenya
Agenda
Presentations
Any Ms. Shine and/or Mr. Shine from all over the world who would like to present a collaborative idea helping the other species and/or humanity can feel free to apply for a sharing of idea in the event before the event begins. Kindly make your talk, music, dance, etc. last no more than 20 minutes long so those like-minded can proceed with their sharing of ideas as well.
Culinary
Any Ms. Shine and/or Mr. Shine from all over the world who would like to prepare food to share with each other are welcome to bring such cuisines there.
Arts and Cultures
Any Ms. Shine and/or Mr. Shine from all over the world who would like to prepare art forms like drawing, sculpture, etc. to share with each other are welcome to bring (images of) such artworks there.
Registration Fees
Free of Charge
To Register
Please leave your messages, contact info. and so on here at the blog page or our FB which will soon be established for further discussions. Kindly allow us sufficient amount of time to process information from various participants all over the world.
Donations
If any, the amount will be utilized for the development of impoverished communities through the local, grassroot non-profit groups, relying completely on their fair distrubutions of resources gathered.
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