Venerable Master Cheng Yen recalls the challenging days when Tzu Chi was first founded nearly 60 years ago. Despite the hardship, she always reminded herself to persevere. Over time, her heartfelt call for selfless giving resonated with others, inspiring many to join the cause. Like tiny fireflies emitting faint glimmers of lights, their collective love grew into a radiant glow, illuminating the dark corners of society.

證嚴上人回憶五十多年前，慈濟草創時期很艱鉅、很困難。不過他總是自我勉勵堅持下去。漸漸地，心靈的呼聲，大家聽到了；看到了有意義的好事，也湧了上來。微小的「火金姑」發出微光，就像信號，會合成群，在黑夜中一閃一閃，成為人間美事。

The Master observes that Tzu Chi members come from different backgrounds and professions. Yet, they are united by their share commitment to the Buddha's teachings, living with purpose and supporting one another as they work together to benefit others.

上人說，每位慈濟人的家庭背景、事業職業都不同，各有生活規則，但都按照佛陀所說法，不是隨著社會生態懵懵懂懂過日子，而是有目標、有方向，彼此相牽、相帶、相惜，共同度化眾生。

Reflecting on her own journey, Venerable Cheng Yen shares, "I often ask myself: What is my purpose in coming to this world? The answer is clear: to bring value to my life. From the beginning, my aspiration has been to serve with love and kindness. I have never regretted the path I chose. Though my words may often sound the same, it is because my direction is clear and I've never deviated from it."

「我自我盤點，來人間有什麼價值？我跟大家說：有價值！最初那一念─愛與善，大愛的心打開了，善的方向抓直了，一路走過來都沒有後悔。每一天，我所說的話大同小異，就是因為從開頭方向就定了，沒有偏差。」

The Master continues, "The Buddha's love is boundless, and so are my aspirations. If I cannot fulfill them all in this lifetime, I will continue in the next. As strong as my aspirations are, I know I cannot them alone. That's why I vow to form good affinities with you all, lifetime after lifetime. If you've dedicated this life to Tzu Chi, I am certain weachieve will continue this mission together in the next."

「佛陀的愛，遍虛空法界；我的心願也是無窮盡，這一生做不到，我還要有來生；但如果來生一個人太孤單，哪怕有再大的心願也做不了事，我一定要生生世世跟大家結大好緣，你們這一生做慈濟，肯定你我來生同樣也是做慈濟。」

The Master emphasizes that no single individual can accomplish everything. However, we should not be daunted by the limits of our own strength. When everyone's love comes together, there is nothing that cannot be achieved. Helping others brings the greatest joy, and a life devoted to selfless giving is the most blessed life of all.

一個人的力量做不到什麼事，也不要擔心自己的力量不夠，人人愛的能量會合起來，沒有事做不到。幫助人的人是最快樂的，造福的人生最有福！

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摘錄改寫自慈濟月刊698期
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