2026 2ND QUARTER SHARING EVENT 第二季溫馨分享
This CARTOON is based on the real photo shot when the activity came to an end, thanks to MRS PRINCIPAL LIU, with a few others already left! 這張由真實照片改造而成的卡通圖像，要謝謝提醒大家拍照留念的劉校長夫人溫馨提示，也要謝謝排除萬難而留到最後的大家 :)
The English Version Is Below
# 野生動物大遷徙之外：一場關於人心、善意與生命流動的聚會後記
當送走每一位來賓離開，當在大樓裡面上上下下移動，為的是那些要請馬上會到國外進行些許服務學習國際利他計畫的學生朋友們，將必要的物資放在他們的行李中、帶到相對落後的特定他國地點去分享、發放，當廚房的水龍頭的水沖洗著每一個大家使用過的、以及收拾上午因為時間緊湊而準備不及的料理時，將桌上的杯盤逐漸收整妥當，當原本熱鬧的空間慢慢回歸寧靜，當夜已經寧靜到連遠在幾個海洋之外的東非也進入深更半夜，因為他們與我們差別五個小時，我發現自己的思緒還停留在每一個片段裡面的每一個情節之中。
原本以為這是一場關於非洲野生動物大遷徙的分享會。
然而活動結束後，我才發現，自己所見證的，其實是一場更深刻的遷徙。
那不是野鹿穿越草原的遷徙。不是斑馬跨越河流的遷徙。不是候鳥循著季節更迭的飛行。而是一場關於人心、善意、信念與生命經驗的流動，更是一場讓我學習甚多的相聚。
關於在場如天使般現身的身心障礙人士
感恩他們在台中這場活動的參與，使我們的聚會形式走向另一個里程碑。
活動當天，令我印象最深刻的其中一件事情，是身心障礙成年朋友們在父母陪同之下，參與我們的活動。在許多人的想像中，這類活動似乎總是以分享、討論、發言或互動作為主要形式。
然而當我觀察這對屬於身心障礙人士、又互為手足的人們時，我發現了一件十分美好的事情：他們並不一定會主動加入每一個話題，也不一定會長時間參與每一個討論，然而，他們只是靜靜坐在一旁，有時候，他們專心看著大家互動，慢慢品嚐桌上的食物與飲品，而露出心滿意足的笑容時，在那份安靜之下的喜悅，是如此真實。
我忽然明白，參與本來就不只有一種樣貌，有人透過分享而參與，有人透過服務而參與，有人透過傾聽而參與，自然，也可以有人透過感觀受覺而參與。
當看見那兩位身心障礙人士因為美味的餐點而露出開心的神情，因為大家的陪伴而感到自在，甚至叮嚀父母要帶他們參與我們下回的聚會時，我的內心有著極大的震撼，因為那代表著這樣的聚會不只對於行有餘力希望回饋者，是有意義的，更代表它不僅僅只是資訊的交換，還是生命與生命之間的傾聽與陪伴，就像我們在已經歷經千難萬難的、他們的父母的身上，看到人性的光輝，看到一家人不論如何的不離不棄，看到他們即便淚光閃閃仍然與生命的深重課題，奮力一搏的勇氣。
也正因如此，我能理解楊媽身上的那份熱情，因為活動尚未結束，她便已在仍有其他同時間邀約聚會的情況之下，熱情邀請大家未來再次相聚，那種自然流露的待客之道與關愛精神，並非來自任何高深的學術理論，而是來自一顆真正關心人的心，也來自一顆感同身受於這樣的家庭給予大家的感動，背後的悸動與對萬事萬物巧妙安排間的，信服。
當我看見她邀請大家參加下一場活動時，我的心裡竟浮現一個念頭：
若自己也能像她一樣，不斷創造讓她身邊的人們不斷相聚、學習與彼此支持的機會，那將是一件多麼幸福的事情。或許，這正是意正心誠最美麗動人的施作及傳承方式。
Pot Luck
POT LUCK是大家所攜帶的餐點回饋、互享的傳統，此次由於主場人士的熱情好客，雖然已經宣布暫停，但熱情流露所帶來的分享卻未曾停息!!!
活動公告中特別說明，這次暫時不採取過往的 Pot Luck 模式，
希望讓大家能夠更輕鬆地參與。然而，讓人感動的是，即便如此，大家在一顆滿滿的愛心所張羅的心境之下，依然把琳瑯滿目的食品和飲料往現場送。
有些人遠道而來。
有些人舟車勞頓。
有些人甚至前一天便開始準備。
他們明明知道不必攜帶任何食物。
卻依然願意帶著自己的心意前來。
於是，原本簡單的一場聚會，竟意外到又成了一場豐盛的美食分享盛宴，桌上擺滿了來自不同地方的美食，有人帶來特色點心，有人帶來水果，有人帶來餅乾，有人帶來茶水。
還有像劉校長及夫人這樣長期在服務學習路途上經營的前輩，甚至帶來美妙的音樂。當校長的吉他旋律響起「愛的真諦」，當應聲唱起那首
愛是恆久忍耐又有恩慈；
愛，是不嫉妒，
愛，是不自誇，不張狂，
不作慚愧的事，
不求自己的益處，
不輕易發怒，
不計算別人的惡，
不歡喜不義只歡喜真理，
凡事包容，凡事相信，
凡事盼望，凡事要忍耐，
愛，是永不止息。
時，我忽然感覺到，真正滋養人心的從來不只是食物，因為陪伴、分享、彼此願意付出的心意，遠遠凌駕在所有千辛萬苦之上，讓人類的身、心、靈，得以昇華。
而在這一切之中，楊媽的女兒與女婿和他們的孩子(即楊媽的外孫女)，更是功不可沒：為了照顧每一位來賓的中餐，他們搬來了好一些女婿所經營的餐廳裡面的員工所備好的食物，由身為業主的楊媽女婿帶著女兒，親自遞送到現場，這份細膩的照顧，使整場聚會洋溢著闔家幸福平安的溫暖。
因此，那天中午我們享用的，不只是一頓午餐，而是一場滿滿人情味的饗宴。
一位少女帶來的啟示
楊媽的外孫女，同樣讓我留下深刻印象。
對一位仍在英語為外語環境中學習的少女學生而言，置身於一群教育程度甚高、業界菁英、多位校長、學校主任及老師在場的場合，感受到他們豐富的人生閱歷，甚至部分人士擁有流利英語能力的成年人之中，感到壓力是人之常情。尤其在他們聽聞這位少女「將在今夏也前往非洲服務」時。
身為一位也曾經在人群裡面感到不甚自在的少女，我完完全全能理解那份不自在。
畢竟當周遭的人談論著國際教育、海外經驗、公益服務與專業發展時，任何少女都可能產生自我懷疑。
然而我欣賞的是，她沒有因此而面露不悅，她選擇盡量協助父親分送食物，耐心傾聽長輩們的提點，安靜地觀察每一個人。她或許沒有發表長篇大論。
但她已經用自己的方式展現了善良、禮貌與學習的態度。相信多年以後，她未必記得當天的每一句話，但她肯定會記得那些願意分享的人，那些願意接納她的人，而這些在她生命長路的開啟之初，為她無私而溫馨點燈的人們，這份經驗，終將成為她在成長路途上的養分。
再次相遇的機師朋友
另一位讓我感到欣慰的，是再次參與聚會的機師朋友。這是他第二次藉由劉校長及校長夫人的熱情，而在與我個人相關的服務道途上相逢。
一如我們此次再次相見我一開口所說的，相較於第一次見面，他似乎更加成熟與穩健，那種變化並非來自他在職位上的變化，雖然我相信身為機師的他，必定有他們領域中更迭的職涯角色，但我發現他的轉變來自於某種內在的動能，我感受到他對於自身優勢與使命的探索似乎更加深入，而他在如今身處航空產業又同時進修航空產業管理學位的同時，讓我不禁聯想到另一種可能。
過去身為國際線空服員的我，非常清楚航空從業人員其實是一群極富同理心與服務精神的人。在飛往世界各地的航班上，我與無數善良的同事共事過，也見過許多願意默默幫助乘客和陌生人的機組人員。在已經離開航空業之後，在我的國際行腳的過程中，在與更多不同航班的機組人員於談話間、於他們的服務手法間進行交流時，我總會感到機艙間原本應該由於密閉空間所帶來的窒息感，像是能夠被所有人溫暖的善意所打動般，有陣陣的暖流徐徐輕撫人心。
因此我不禁再回頭思索：若能結合航空產業龐大的全球網絡、與服務學習的實作及其精神，是否能創造更多可能？
例如，許多真正實地執行世界不同地帶偏遠地區的基層服務人群、或者相關組織，或者缺乏有效及有力的資源。而已開發地區卻常有許多仍可使用的教育用品、醫療用品與生活物資。
若航空從業人員願意在個人行李額度許可範圍內，協助攜帶部分物資讓這些國際偏鄉的人群受惠，是否能成為一種跨國公益支持網絡？
又例如，許多航空公司員工累積的飛行里程最終可能並不會被有效使用，若我們能建立合法且透明的公益平台，讓部分里程協助資源較為有限、但已投入國際服務學習、偏鄉教育或公益工作的相關人員之國際流動之上，是否能讓有限資源創造更大效益？
或許這些只是初步構想。
但所有偉大的改變，最初都只是某個人心中的一個念頭。
套句不止劉校長夫人所提的：
「我們每天在印尼，都不知道Hope老師今天會給我們帶來什麼驚喜，所以我們今天來台中，也就自在安適」般，
其實說真的，我也不知道自己會給自己帶來什麼驚喜，尤其元素的碰撞壹壹映入眼簾與思惟時，這樣的我，實在沒有辦法推辭這個神奇的宇宙給我的下一門課題是什麼
哈哈~~~
服務學習前輩所帶來的啟發
因此，談到服務學習，這方面在台灣已行之有年，甚至在最早期拋出相關著作和實作的、台北市明星高中退休的劉校長和其夫人，他們的分享始終令人敬佩不已
從校長夫人的分享，我才了解她和校長分別身為「耕莘山學團」第十屆和第十一屆可說是元老級，不但使自己的女兒也走上同一條路，成為「耕莘山學團」第四十屆的成員，在當時於山地鄉從事關懷行動，更常常慷慨分享多年教育經驗。由他所著述出版的服務學習著作，更讓許多人看見教育工作的另一種可能：
服務學習不一定要從海外開始。
也不一定需要龐大的經費。
這位已然退休多年，但始終有著服務學習的精神和實作毅力的校長，其理念是服務學習甚至可以從一個教室開始，不論是關心同學、理解社區、或是從一個孩子願意幫助另一個孩子開始。
這些看似微小的行動，最終都可能改變一個人的生命方向，更讓這次幾乎就要將此分享活動「移師」在目前多方慰留我繼續服務的學校中來施作的方向，更為堅實，畢竟，服務學習所帶給人們在身、心、靈上面的撼動，不容忽視，其對在職教師於此較為混亂的世道下教書時，能夠帶來的生命養份，更可說是無遠弗屆，我相信，我個人在此方面可說是其中一個例子：
我不會經歷教學倦怠，始終在不同年齡層及國際間不同地理位置教學的歷程，便來自於深度利他的實踐及從中學習的美好。
琴琴校長的分享與女性的光輝
得到模範母親的她，為女兒們的成長犧牲了單親局面後的幸福追尋；目前身為榮譽督學的她，是由於親眼目睹同事遭到行政主管的冷嘲熱諷而自盡，憤而決定在行政職務上衝鋒陷陣。她的故事，同樣令人感動。
這段她從教師走向校長的歷程，伴隨著家庭生活的重大調整、變化、適應，其中的挑戰與不易，外人難以想見，但始終支撐著她的，就是她那份誠懇的笑容、清楚的口條、與對人滿滿的關愛。
她相信，只要心中始終裝著別人、帶著任務、完滿執行，那麼，再複雜的問題都能找到出路。
更令人敬佩的是，即使今日已退休或卸下部分行政責任，她依然思考著如何透過兒孫們的成長、透過自己建立的人際網絡、透過與外界的連結，持續發揮正面影響力。
這份胸懷，令人肅然起敬。
目前所服務學校的參與者的蒞臨，令人倍感溫馨
CHRISTINE老師前幾天一直請我去參與一個活動：
「來啦，大家TOGETHER啦! 」她這樣說。
「可是我有線上會議耶。」我回著。
一臉微笑的她沒有放棄：
「他們一直問我還有沒有人要到，好像是希望多一點人參與，而且這次餐廳很好呀，也有人載我們一起去耶?!」
那好吧。妳跟我一起去端午節第一天辦的活動，我就跟妳去。
就這樣，我們達成了這個萬般好玩的協議。而伴隨著她的到來，簡老師的一家人也隨之而來，他們的熱情渲染著大家，因為她們不約而同提及的，是我們目前共同服務學校裡面，行政主管們的溫暖熱力，這樣的熱力和經營花店的、這場聚會人也在現場的經理倫倫，倫倫經理的國小同學、也極其多才多藝的欣欣，或者是在場的商會會長，竟然都如出一轍。
「這包衛生紙，我們只賣台幣6塊多，上面有一個像拉鍊一樣的設計，產品顏色樸實，可以優雅融入各種室內外空間，只要掃上面的QR CODE就可以宅配到家……」商會會長如此發表著。同時，他提及一個當今社會的狀態：
「我們都認為有個制式的流程，經商的人也是一樣，因為，大家都以為經商就是如何如何，大家也都已經現在的教育就是如何如何，不過我認為如果商品不佳，服務態度不良，加入任何組織都很不容易期望自己的生意興隆……」
從倫倫經理在國中的「後段班」必須以一個少女之姿，帶著磚頭到校上課以便有人找她「決鬥」時，她可以全身而退，到教出兩個高考的公職子女；從身為香港人的李機師在年僅11歲，就被父母買了一張單程機票被送到北京去學習中文及數學，沒有學好不可以回家，到他自己要求父母應該去美國讀最好的飛行學校；從簡老師的另一半放棄在對岸的高薪幹部工作，像簡老師所言，並沒有養一個或多個「地下夫人」，為的是一雙身心障礙子女，這些聆聽，這些故事，這些誠摯中的溫暖光火，就是我們在服務學習的路上，點然彼此心燈的燭光點點，尤其身為我的學生朋友們的一群，說及他們：
「這次有雷同的感觸，當從印尼返台後，發現在職場上對人更有溫度，對自己也更有耐心」時，我看到的還是這個人間最閃亮的性靈，彼此照耀，相互輝映，熠熠生輝。
感恩惜福的精采生命價值
回顧整場活動，就像我的所有服務之行般，我發現自己學到許許多多：
有人教會我分享。
有人教會我服務。
有人教會我傾聽。
有人教會我謙遜。
有人教會我堅持。
有人教會我如何看見別人的需要。
而這些學習，或許遠比任何講座內容更加珍貴。
因此，我想向所有參與者表達由衷的感謝與敬意。
謝謝每一位準備食物的人。
謝謝每一位分享故事的人。
謝謝每一位默默付出的人。
謝謝每一位願意學習的人。
謝謝每一位願意讓這個世界變得更溫暖的人。
最後，也請大家原諒我文字上的不足。
若有觀察未盡周全之處，若有記錄不夠完整之處，若有表達不夠精確之處，尚祈見諒。
然而我相信，只要願意持續學習，願意從每一次活動、每一次相遇、每一個人身上汲取養分，我便能繼續成長。
願未來的日子裡，我們都能如同非洲草原上遷徙的生命一般，不斷向前。
而所追尋的，不只是遠方。
更是那份能夠溫暖他人、祝福世界的初心。
於是，這並不是單純的活動紀錄，而是一群來自不同世代、不同專業、不同人生軌跡的人，在同一個空間裡共同實踐「利他」與「學習」的縮影，這不再只是：
「今天大家聚餐很開心。」
而是變成：
「在一場看似平凡的聚會裡，我們究竟看見了什麼樣的商界、人性、教育、服務與生命力量？」
而這種層次，往往才是最適合經營生命的書寫方式，這些人物觀察所顯現的景象，其實形成的是一幅完整的人生圖景。
楊媽媽代表的是「持續給予」；
特殊需求朋友代表的是「純粹感受幸福」；
少女代表的是「成長中的勇氣」；
飛行員代表的是「專業能力與服務精神或者可以結合」；
劉校長夫婦代表的是「教育理想的實踐」；
琴琴校長代表是「某個世代的女性力量」；
而長年與Hope共事的學生朋友及他們的伴侶則代表：
「當善意被人覺察時，人們只會愈來愈好。」
上述關於服務學習接合航空產業、乃至於任何其他產業的構想，不只是物流問題。而是在思考：
世界上大量或已被浪費的資源，若經過某種重組的力量，
是否可轉化為對更多人施作的祝福？
例如：
教育人員的倦怠及努力；
航空從業人員的倦怠及努力；
少男少女不可規避之茫然與嚐試不斷突破的勇氣；
身心障礙者所擁有的溫暖家庭與艱困之處；
航空從業人員的行李額度；
被放棄使用的哩程；
航空網絡所形成的人際連結；
遍布全球的服務據點；
音樂及其他藝術層次的療癒；
不同國家的義務服務人士互為夥伴。
重新整合時，有沒有可能成為某一種或者多類型、新型態的國際利他服務學習支持系統呢?
這種想法本身，便符合服務學習利他於國際及種種社會中的精神：
不只是親自服務，更是思考如何建立讓更多人能夠服務的平台。
這也是為什麼這篇文章的後記其實可以從活動心得提升成一篇關於「利他如何在人與人之間傳遞」的生命書寫，而這個，當然是我必須好好完成另一本書的，宇宙從中心而來的呼喊，因為，真正令人感動的並非某一個人的成就， 而是一群人都在用自己和他人連結的方式，默默把世界變得更好一點點。
# Beyond the Great Migration of Wildlife: An Afterword on a Gathering of Hearts, Kindness, and the Flow of Life
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As I saw each guest off, and as I moved up and down the building—all for those student friends who are about to head abroad shortly for an international altruism project of service-learning, placing necessary supplies into their luggage to be shared and distributed at specific, relatively underdeveloped locations in other countries—and as the water from the kitchen faucet washed each utensil everyone had used, while also cleaning up the dishes that we hadn't had time to prepare that morning due to a tight schedule, gradually clearing and settling the cups and plates on the table properly; as the once-bustling space slowly returned to tranquility, and as the night grew so peaceful that even East Africa, oceans away, had entered the deep hours of the night because they are five hours behind us, I found my thoughts still lingering on every episode within each fragment of the day.
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I had originally thought this was going to be a sharing session about the Great Migration of wildlife in Africa.
---
However, after the event ended, I realized that what I had witnessed was actually a much more profound migration.
It was not the migration of wild deer crossing the savanna. It was not the migration of zebras crossing rivers. It was not the flight of migratory birds following the changing seasons. Rather, it was a flow of human hearts, kindness, beliefs, and life experiences—and, even more so, a gathering from which I learned a tremendous amount.
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## A Valuable Lesson About People with Disabilities:
### Grateful for Their Participation in This Event in Taichung, Shifting Our Gathering to Another Milestone
One of the things that left the deepest impression on me on the day of the event was the participation of adult friends with disabilities, accompanied by their parents. In the imagination of many, events of this nature always seem to take sharing, discussion, speaking, or interaction as their primary forms.
However, when I observed this pair of siblings who are individuals with disabilities, I discovered something incredibly beautiful: they did not necessarily actively join in every topic, nor did they necessarily engage in every discussion for a long time. Instead, they just sat quietly to the side. Sometimes, they watched everyone interact intently, slowly savoring the food and drinks on the table, and wore content smiles. The joy beneath that silence was so genuine.
I suddenly understood that participation has never had just one appearance. Some participate through sharing, some participate through service, some participate through listening, and naturally, some can also participate through feeling.
When I saw that pair of individuals with disabilities showing happy expressions because of the delicious meal, feeling at ease because of everyone's companionship, and even reminding their parents to bring them to our next gathering, my heart experienced a massive jolt. This is because it signifies that such a gathering is meaningful not only for those who have the capacity and wish to give back, but it also means that it is not merely an exchange of information; it is the listening and companionship between one life and another. Just as we see the brilliance of humanity in their parents—who have already gone through untold hardships—we see how a family never gives up on each other no matter what, and we see their courage to fight hard against the heavy issues of life, even with tears glistening in their eyes.
And precisely because of this, I can understand the passion in Mama Yang. Before the event had even ended, and even while facing other concurrent invitations to gather, she passionately invited everyone to gather again in the future. That naturally flowing hospitality and spirit of care do not come from any profound academic theory; they come from a heart that truly cares about people, and from a heart that empathizes with the inspiration that such a family gives to everyone, the underlying throb of emotion, and a conviction in the ingenious arrangements of all things.
When I saw her inviting everyone to the next event, a thought actually surfaced in my mind:
If I could be like her, constantly creating opportunities for the people around her to continuously gather, learn, and support one another, what a blissful thing that would be. Perhaps, this is precisely the most beautiful way to pass down kindness.
---
## Although the Potluck Tradition of Food Feedback and Mutual Sharing Was Suspended, the Flow of Sharing Brought by the Outpouring of Passion Never Ceased
The event announcement explicitly stated that we would temporarily not adopt the past Potluck model this time, hoping to allow everyone to participate more relaxedly. Yet, what was deeply moving was that, even so, under a state of mind arranged with a heart full of love, everyone still sent a dazzling array of food and drinks to the venue.
Some came from afar.
Some were exhausted from the journey.
Some even started preparing the day before.
They clearly knew they did not have to bring any food.
Yet they were still willing to come carrying their sincere intentions.
Consequently, what was originally a simple gathering unexpectedly became a bountiful feast of shared gourmet food. The table was piled high with delicacies from different places; some brought specialty snacks, some brought fruit, some brought biscuits, and some brought tea and water.
There were also seniors who have long operated on the path of service-learning, like Principal Liu and his wife, who even brought wonderful music. When the melody of the Principal's guitar struck up "The True Meaning of Love," and when voices chimed in to sing that song:
> Love is patient, love is kind.
> It does not envy,
> it does not boast, it is not proud.
> It does not dishonor others,
> it is not self-seeking,
> it is not easily angered,
> it keeps no record of wrongs.
> Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
> It always protects, always trusts,
> always hopes, always perseveres.
> Love never fails.
At that moment, I suddenly felt that what truly nourishes the human heart has never been just food. This is because companionship, sharing, and the mutual willingness to give far override all hardships, allowing the human body, mind, and spirit to sublimated.
And amid all this, Mama Yang’s daughter, son-in-law, and their children deserve immense credit: in order to take care of lunch for every guest, they brought over quite a bit of food prepared by the staff of the restaurant managed by the son-in-law. Led by Mama Yang's son-in-law as the owner, along with the daughter, they personally delivered it to the venue. This meticulous care made the entire gathering overflow with the warmth of family happiness, peace, and safety.
Therefore, what we enjoyed that afternoon was not just a lunch, but a feast full of profound human warmth.
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## The Inspiration a Young Girl Brought Me
Mama Yang’s granddaughter likewise left a deep impression on me.
For a young female student who is still learning in an English-as-a-foreign-language environment, placing herself in a setting filled with highly educated people, industry elites, multiple principals, school directors, and teachers—feeling their rich life experiences, and being among adults where some even possess fluent English abilities—it is only human nature to feel pressure.
As a young girl who once felt out of place herself, I can completely and utterly understand that discomfort.
After all, when the people around are talking about international education, overseas experiences, public welfare service, and professional development, any young girl might generate self-doubt.
However, what I admired was that she did not show any displeasure because of this. She chose to do her best to assist her father in distributing the food, listened patiently to the sharing of the elders, and quietly observed everyone. She might not have made grand speeches. But she had already demonstrated an attitude of kindness, politeness, and learning in her own way. I believe that many years from now, she might not remember every word spoken that day, but she will certainly remember those who were willing to share, and those who were willing to accept her. And these people who unselfishly and warmly lit a lamp for her at the very beginning of her long road of life—this experience will ultimately become the nutrients on her path of growth.
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## 🌿 Meeting the Pilot Friend Again
Another person who brought me comfort was the pilot friend who participated in the gathering once again. This was the second time that, through the passion of Principal Liu and the Principal's wife, he crossed paths with me on the path of service related to me personally.
Just as I said the moment I opened my mouth when we met again this time, compared to our first meeting, he seemed even more mature and steady. That change did not stem from shifts in his professional position—though I believe that as a pilot, he must have evolving career roles within their field—but I found that his transformation came from a certain internal dynamic. I felt that his exploration of his own strengths and mission seemed to go deeper. As he currently stands in the aviation industry while simultaneously pursuing a degree in aviation industry management, it couldn't help but make me think of another possibility.
Having previously been an international flight attendant, I know very well that aviation professionals are actually a group of people endowed with immense empathy and a spirit of service. On flights flying to all parts of the world, I worked alongside countless kind colleagues, and I also saw many crew members who were willing to silently help passengers and strangers. After having already left the aviation industry, during my international journeys, when exchanging thoughts during conversations with crew members of more varied flights and observing their service techniques, I always feel that the sense of suffocation originally brought on by the enclosed cabin space seems capable of being moved by everyone’s warm kindness, like waves of warm currents gently caressing the human heart.
Therefore, I cannot help but turn back to ponder: if we could combine the massive global network of the aviation industry with the practical execution and spirit of service-learning, could we create more possibilities?
For instance, many grassroots service individuals or related organizations that truly execute field services in remote areas across different zones of the world often lack effective and powerful resources. Yet, developed regions frequently have many educational supplies, medical supplies, and living materials that can still be used.
If aviation professionals are willing, within the limits of their personal luggage allowance, to assist in carrying a portion of these supplies to benefit these people in international remote villages, could this become a transnational public welfare support network?
For another example, many flight miles accumulated by airline employees might ultimately not be used effectively. If we could establish a legal and transparent public welfare platform to allow a portion of these miles to assist the international mobility of personnel who have limited resources but have already thrown themselves into international service-learning, remote area education, or public welfare work, could we let limited resources create greater utility?
Perhaps these are just preliminary concepts.
But all great changes were initially just a single thought in someone's heart.
To borrow a phrase mentioned not only by Principal Liu's wife:
"Every day we are in Indonesia, we never know what kind of surprise Teacher Hope will bring us today, so coming to Taichung today, we also feel at ease and comfortable." Truth be told, I don't know what kind of surprises I will bring to myself either, especially when the collisions of elements come into view and thought one by one. Being like this, I really have no way to decline whatever the next lesson this miraculous universe gives me, haha~~~
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## The Inspiration Brought by Principal Liu and His Wife
Therefore, speaking of service-learning, this aspect has been practiced in Taiwan for many years. Even Principal Liu—who retired from a prestigious star high school in Taipei City and was among the earliest to put forth relevant writings and practical implementations—and his wife, their sharing always commands boundless admiration.
From the sharing of the Principal's wife, I came to understand that she and the Principal, as members of the 10th and 11th cohorts of the "Keng Shin Mountain Medical Mission" (耕莘山學團) respectively, can be considered founding elders. Not only did they lead their own daughter onto the same path, making her a member of the 40th cohort of the mission to engage in care initiatives in indigenous mountain villages at the time, but they also frequently and generously share their many years of educational experience. The service-learning works authored and published by him have allowed many people to see another possibility in educational work:
Service-learning does not necessarily have to start from overseas.
Nor does it necessarily require a massive budget.
This principal, who has been retired for many years but has consistently maintained the spirit and practical perseverance of service-learning, holds the philosophy that service-learning can even start from a single classroom—whether it is caring for a classmate, understanding the community, or starting from one child's willingness to help another child.
These seemingly tiny actions might ultimately alter the direction of a person's life. Furthermore, they made the direction firmer for this sharing event, which nearly "relocated" its execution to the school that is currently appealing to me from multiple sides to continue my service. After all, the jolts that service-learning brings to people in body, mind, and spirit cannot be ignored. Its ability to provide life nutrients to in-service teachers when teaching in this rather chaotic world can be said to be boundless. I believe that I personally am an example of this:
The reason I do not experience teaching burnout and have consistently remained in the process of teaching across different age groups and different international geographical locations comes precisely from the practice of deep altruism and the beauty of learning from within it.
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Principal Qinqin’s sharing, on the other hand, allowed me to see the brilliance of a woman.
Having been honored as a Model Mother, she sacrificed her pursuit of happiness after entering a single-parent situation for the growth of her daughters. Currently serving as an Honorary Inspector, her decision to charge forward into administrative positions arose because she witnessed with her own eyes a colleague committing suicide due to the cold mockery and scorching satire of an administrative supervisor. Her story is equally moving.
This journey of hers from being a teacher to becoming a principal was accompanied by major adjustments, changes, and adaptations in family life. The challenges and difficulties within it are hard for outsiders to imagine, but what sustained her through it all was her sincere smile, clear articulation, and absolute abundance of care for people.
She believes that as long as one always holds others in one's heart, carries the mission, and executes it to completion, then no matter how complex the problem is, a way out can be found.
What is even more admirable is that even today, having retired or stepped down from a portion of her administrative responsibilities, she still contemplates how to continue exerting a positive influence through the growth of her daughters, through the interpersonal network she has established, and through connections with the outside world.
This breadth of mind commands solemn respect.
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## The Arrival of Participants from the School I Currently Serve Makes One Feel Doubly Warm
For the past few days, Teacher Christine kept asking me to participate in an event:
"Come on, let's all go TOGETHER!" she said.
"But I have an online meeting," I replied.
Wearing a smile on her face, she did not give up:
"They kept asking me if anyone else is coming, it seems like they hope for more people to participate. Plus, the restaurant this time is great, and someone is driving us there together too?!"
Alright then. If you come with me to the event held on the first day of the Dragon Boat Festival, I will go with you.
Just like that, we reached this thoroughly amusing agreement. And along with her arrival, Teacher Jian's family came along as well. Their passion infected everyone because what they coincidentally mentioned in unison was the warm energy of the administrative supervisors within the school we currently serve together. This kind of energy turned out to be exactly the same as that of Manager Lunlun, who runs a flower shop and was also present at this gathering; or Lunlun's elementary school classmate, the extremely multi-talented Xinxin; or the Chamber of Commerce President who was present.
"This pack of tissues, we only sell it for a bit over 6 NT dollars. It has a design like a zipper on top, and the product color is simple and unadorned, allowing it to elegantly blend into various indoor and outdoor spaces. You just scan the QR code on it and it can be delivered to your home..." the Chamber of Commerce President expressed in this manner. At the same time, he mentioned a state of contemporary society:
"We all think there is a standardized process, and the same goes for people in business. Because everyone thinks doing business is just thus-and-so, and everyone also thinks current education is just thus-and-so. However, I believe that if the product is poor and the service attitude is bad, it is very difficult to expect one's business to prosper just by joining any organization..."
From Manager Lunlun having to bring bricks to school as a young girl when she was in the "remedial track" of junior high so that if anyone sought a "duel" with her, she could emerge unscathed, to her raising two children who passed the Higher Civil Service Examination to become public servants; from Pilot Lee, who is Hongkonger, being bought a one-way ticket by his parents at the mere age of 11 and sent to Beijing to learn Chinese and mathematics with the condition that he could not come home if he didn't learn well, to his demanding that his parents send him to the best flight school in the United States; from Teacher Jian's spouse giving up a high-paying executive job across the strait and, as Teacher Jian stated, not keeping one or more "underground wives," all for the sake of a pair of children with disabilities—these instances of listening, these stories, and these warm fires within sincerity are precisely the dots of candlelight lighting each other's heart lamps on our path of service-learning. Especially regarding the group who are my student friends, speaking of them:
"This time I had a similar feeling; upon returning to Taiwan from Indonesia, I found myself having more warmth toward people in the workplace, and also more patience with myself." What I saw was still the most brilliant spiritual nature of this human world, shining upon one another, reflecting each other, and glowing radiantly.
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## Thanks to Every Participant
Looking back at the entire event, just like all my journeys of service, I found that I have learned so, so much:
Someone taught me to share.
Someone taught me to serve.
Someone taught me to listen.
Someone taught me humility.
Someone taught me perseverance.
Someone taught me how to see the needs of others.
And these lessons are perhaps far more precious than any lecture content.
Therefore, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude and respect to all participants.
Thank you to every person who prepared food.
Thank you to every person who shared a story.
Thank you to every person who gave silently.
Thank you to every person who was willing to learn.
Thank you to every person who is willing to make this world a bit warmer.
Finally, please also forgive my inadequacies in writing.
If there were places where observation was not entirely thorough, if there were places where the recording was not complete enough, or if there were places where the expression was not precise enough, I pray for your understanding.
Yet I believe that as long as I am willing to continue learning, and willing to draw nutrients from every event, every encounter, and every single person, I will be able to continue growing.
May we all, in the days to come, just like the migrating life on the African savanna, continuously move forward.
And what we pursue is not just the distant horizon.
But even more so, that original intention capable of warming others and blessing the world.
Thus, this is not a simple record of an event; rather, it is a epitome of a group of people from different generations, different professions, and different life trajectories jointly practicing "altruism" and "learning" within the same space. This is no longer just:
"Everyone had a very happy dinner gathering today."
Instead, it becomes:
"In a seemingly ordinary gathering, what kind of humanity, education, service, and life power did we ultimately see?"
And this level of depth is often the most suitable way to write about managing life. The scenes manifested by these character observations actually form a complete picture of life.
Mama Yang represents "continuous giving";
The friends with special needs represent "purely feeling happiness";
The young girl represents "courage in the midst of growth";
The pilot represents "the potential combination of professional capability and the spirit of service";
Principal Liu and his wife represent "the implementation of educational ideals";
Principal Qinqin represents the female strength of the previous generation;
And the student friends and their partners who have worked alongside Hope for many years represent:
"When kindness is perceived by people, people will only become better and better."
The aforementioned concepts regarding connecting service-learning with the aviation industry, and indeed any other industry, are not just logistical problems. Rather, they are a reflection on:
Are there massive amounts of resources in the world that have already been wasted, which, if reconnected, could then be transformed into blessings for more people?
For instance:
The burnout and efforts of educational personnel;
The burnout and efforts of aviation professionals;
The unavoidable blank confusion of young boys and girls, and their courage in constantly trying to break through;
The warm families and hardships possessed by individuals with disabilities;
The luggage allowance of aviation professionals;
The flight miles that are abandoned and left unused;
The interpersonal connections formed by the aviation network;
The service locations spanning the globe;
The healing at the level of music and other arts;
Voluntary service individuals from different countries serving as partners to one another.
When reintegrated, is it possible for this to become a new form of international service-learning support system?
This thought itself aligns with the spirit of service-learning to be altruistic internationally and within various societies:
It is not just about serving in person, but even more about thinking how to establish a platform that allows more people to serve.
This is also why the afterword of this article can actually be elevated from event reflections into a piece of life writing about "how altruism is transmitted between people." And this, of course, is a calling from the center of the universe for me to properly complete another book, because what truly moves people is never the achievement of a single individual, but rather a group of people who are all using the way they connect with others to silently make the world a tiny bit better.
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