The author, Xhao Xiaoping The following is a translated community article from one of our TFish contributors, Zhao Xiaoping. It highlights the idea of giving and what it means to truly give. Find the original story here. -- In the philosophy of love, giving comes first, but merely giving does not really define what love is. To understand giving in its entirety--what to give, to whom to give, who gives, and how to give--is something worth personally experiencing and pondering about all our life. For some, “giving” is painful; it is an action of sacrificing oneself for the success of another. Therefore, those who have the “transaction personality” will usually refuse to give because they want to gain something in return. In contrast, others think that sacrificing is a virtue; although giving can be painful, it is still necessary to sacrifice. Thus, it is a virtue when we give, even if the individual receives nothing in the end. Giving is never something to regret! However, we now need to truly understand the universal meaning of “giving.” To explain this phenomenon, Fromm created an insightful explanation: “Giving is the fullest presentation of human ability. Through giving I have felt my own power, treasure, and ability. This power of life and consequent sublimation completely fills me with joy. I’m happy because I myself feel that I’m abundant, rich, and full of vitality. ‘Giving’ is much more rewarding than ‘receiving.’ Giving has not felt like a sacrifice because through the process of giving has my vitality shown!” Ms. Zhou writes about her encounter with YingZi, a local directer of a women's organization in the SiChuan Province. Ms. Zhou focuses on psychological counseling for rural women - find out more about her counseling center here! -- YingZi is the director of a women’s organization located in a village in Pengan County, Nanchong City, SiChuan Province. Ever since I came to Nanchong, she has always been talking with me and getting to know me better. I really like and admire this peasant girl. YingZi is 38 years old, and has worked many hard years outside of her home village. She was also self-educated and earned an associate degree, and later established her own career. She told me about her village, family, past, and ideals. She has six brothers, each with his own dream, and each one is the author of their own life story of epic ups and downs. However, YingZi felt responsible for all of the unfortunate things that happened at home. She talked about the subtle relationships at her husband's family, her husband’s poor childhood, and the pitiful, wandering days of his young adult years. She also talked about the people back home, and how most of them have been unable to escape constant suffering. After they earn money from places outside of their hometown, many of the men live drunken, gluttonous, gambling lives without caring about their wives and kids. The wives and children are left with nothing and are forced to give up all hope. The village women often quarrel and gossip with one another, and when unpleasant events happen, they can furiously curse at each other for three days and nights. |
TFISH FUND BLOGWe update news and reports directly from the field written by our NGO partners daily. Top PostsPHOTOS & VIDEOSIN THE NEWSCategories
All
Archives
August 2017
|