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Send off the past with gratitude and usher in the future with sincerity, and it will be a new year filled with peace and wisdom. May everyone live in a surrounding that is permanently shining with brightness and joy. And may everyone be in excellent health, both physically and mentally. As time and age grow, good things must evolve, too. Everyone should diligently sow the seeds of kindness and create blessings and prosperity for the world.
There are 86,400 seconds in a day, and every second passes quickly. If you feel that it is neither fast nor slow, every second will be wasted away. Time and tide wait for no man. We need to rely on our diligence and always be mindful and pious every moment. Make a vow every day: I want to be a good person! I want to cherish my life, always speak kind words, and do good deeds. Cherish the precious time to achieve many things and make the most of our time in this life worthwhile every second.
We should take inventory of our life to assess how much merits we have accomplished and wrongdoings we have committed. If we have made mistakes that hurt others, we must repent sincerely and correct the wrongdoings. “Merits” means doing good deeds for the family and the community. If we can practice “the traditional values of self-discipline, frugality, diligence and perseverance” in our lifetime by benefiting others with a clear conscience and no regrets in this life, we should give ourselves credit.
I evaluated the value of my life and feel that it is very valuable. More than 50 years ago, we started from leading thirty housewives to save 50 cents each a day for charity. Upholding the kind thought of "I will do good deeds today", everyone supported the cause, and that was how Tzu Chi was formed. A pure mind at that time has determined the spirit of Tzu Chi today. Tzu Chi started from Hualien and subsequently established four missions and eight charitable footprints. Today, the love of Tzu Chi has spread to many parts of the world, with footprints of great love in 126 countries.
After the Lunar New Year, Tzu Chi will celebrate its 57th anniversary on the third month of the lunar calendar. Although I have dedicated my life and my time to this, I have gained more for myself. I am grateful that groups after groups of bodhisattvas have been walking by my side all that time, starting from the humble beginning of saving 50 cents so that the poor and sick can receive treatment earlier and more people can receive help promptly.
Not only do we need to evaluate the value of our own lives, but we should also assess how much we have done. Tzu Chi's spiritual concept originated in Taiwan, and it has now expanded internationally. In Taiwan, we have experienced various natural disasters. Wherever a disaster strikes, Tzu Chi volunteers will appear on time to provide care and relief.
Towards the end of last year, Malaysia experienced its once-in-a-century flood. After Tzu Chi volunteers informed each other of their safety and knew that everyone was safe and sound, they immediately initiated a disaster relief mission. The kitchen team was the first to team up to provide hot food and support to the flood victims. After the water receded, the whole country came together to clean up muddy homes in various flood areas. The volunteers had also assessed the situation of the flood victims, especially the poor, sick, lonely and elderly and included them in a long-term care programme. Should there be an emergency, they will be provided with emergency relief so that they can live in peace.
As long as there are Tzu Chi volunteers in the area where a disaster occurs, everyone has the tacit understanding to rush towards the same direction to provide disaster relief, attend to peoples' needs and provide care and comfort in the shortest time possible to reduce the sufferings. Hence, every day I express my gratitude to all the Tzu Chi volunteers worldwide. I can see the blue sky and white clouds (Tzu Chi certified volunteers) forming together from all directions to ease peoples' minds and give people a settled life. I see hope in this world.
Under the same sky, everyone leads a different life. Some people live in an impoverished and helpless environment as soon as they are born, while some are safe and happy and do not have to worry about food, clothing, and housing. Having the blessing to live in a peaceful society, one should be very grateful. When one's heart is filled with gratitude, one will feel contented. We should appreciate and cherish our blessings and create more blessings for ourselves and others. When everyone creates blessings for one another, life will be harmonious, and the atmosphere will be peaceful, thus creating a peaceful and safe society.
Not only should we create blessings in the place we live in, but we must also seize the karmic affinity to help others when help is needed overseas. By gathering strength from everyone, we can also provide relief even in faraway places to care for the poorest and those suffering the most. With the right karmic affinity, strength and willingness to provide help promptly, it may seem like you are helping others, but in fact, you are creating blessings for yourself. "You reap what you sow." It is such a blessing to be able to care for the people in Taiwan and the rest of the world.
Do not cease to do good deeds no matter how seemingly insignificant they are; they can become great deeds when accumulated. Just like when we combine and accumulate love bit by bit, eventually, it will become great love. There is a light in everyone's heart, and we must stay focused on making it shine brightly. Even if one's light is feeble, he is not alone. When a group of fireflies fly together, they light up the place and give hope and love to this world.
Translated by Michelle Lim Cheng Wai
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