While the climate’s condition has reached an emergency, protecting the Earth is everyone’s obligation. Will you give up your high salary and devote yourself to environmental protection?
Something Meaningful
Tzu Chi volunteer Chen Jian-hua (陳建華) devotes himself to protecting the environment; the more he does, the happier he becomes. This is something his father could not understand. So his father started to do recycling with him to find out what he was doing.
While driving the truck to deliver recyclables, Jian-hua shared the issues of environmental pollution and the teachings of Master Cheng Yen, the founder of Tzu Chi, with his father. This made him realize that Jian-hua is doing something meaningful. It looks as if there is no end to collecting recyclables -- and Jian-hua's father is very happy to do recycling now.
Close Relationship
When Jian-hua was young and studied hard, his father was busy raising his family. So it was rare for them to chat and get to know each other. After marrying, Jian-hua also became busy making money and raising his children. Although he and his father live together, they seldom talked to each other.
About 7 years ago, Jian-hua retired and turned his front yard into a recycling point where his neighbors could leave recyclables any time. He invited his parents to do recycling with him. Now they do recycling together and have a common topic, so their relationship has become closer and closer.
Communication is very important for relationships. Jian-hua knows he still needs to work on it. He has encouraged his parents to do recycling; this makes them healthy and joyful. On the other hand, he also tries to lower his expectations for his son and to listen to what is in his mind.
60-year-old Jian-hua used to educate his children through beatings and scolding. About 10 years ago, he took part in Tzu Chi Parent-Child events. Gradually, he learnt how to get along with his children. It takes time to resolve a generational gap like this. Now Jian-hua learns how to communicate with his children.
Take Care of Our Minds
Recycling work helps Jian-hua improve the relationship with his family. He listened to the Master’s words, “Don’t get attached to afflictions. What is past is past. Let go of it and be mindful of the future.”
If everyone can take good care of one's thoughts, guard them and not let them deviate even a little, this world will become much happier and more peaceful.
Let us be mindful at all times and take care of the Earth by doing recycling.
