Speaking Honestly About Life (III): Love for Change

Deiform Buddha

December 5, 2006

Character determines destiny, and I’ve never been someone who could settle down. I can’t bear staying in one place too long or eating the same food repeatedly.

I’ve held over 20 different jobs, moved 15 times, and lived in 17 places for more than four months each. My favorite sayings are, “The world is my home” and “A true man should aspire to travel far and wide.

Each change feels like a rebirth, a bit like Columbus discovering a “New World”. Take housing and the environment, for example. Every home I’ve lived in had a unique layout and surroundings, and the novelty would last for months. The most captivating were exotic villas with sprawling, crystal-clear pools, meticulously designed back gardens, spacious front yards surrounded by lush greenery and lawns, and two large German Shepherds playfully running around, while gardeners in uniforms tended the grounds. The houses featured expansive living rooms, dining areas, bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens. Cars could drive directly into garages, and from the study window, I could see foreigners strolling by outside the fenced yard. It was... pure comfort!

Among the jobs I’ve held, my favorites were shepherding and interpreting. Shepherding was marvelous—relaxing and romantic. Wandering through riverbanks, meadows, hills, and ditches, I could indulge in the beauty of nature. With a whip in hand and a tune on my lips, I’d stroll leisurely or lie on the grass, watching the drift of clouds and the free flight of swans, swallows, sparrows, and eagles. Lying on the grass, my thoughts would drift far away, and I felt completely at ease. It was truly relaxing!

As an interpreter, I especially enjoyed it when my boss sent me on solo assignments. Driving alone with my favorite songs playing and speeding at 160 km/h—it felt exhilarating! I particularly loved driving through African jungles. Occasionally, I’d stop by huts built by locals deep in the forest, exchange a few words, and if I saw a pretty local girl, I’d say, “Hi, beauty. I love you.” Their laughter brought me joy before I continued exploring.

Embracing Change This love for change naturally keeps me from being overly attached to people, things, or places. I know there are even more wonderful places and friendlier people ahead. The problem now is, I’ve grown tired of Earth and want to visit paradise.

Where is paradise?

I’ve read Buddhist sutras, the Bible, the Quran, the Tao Te Ching, fairy tales, and mythological novels. But sadly, heaven’s image is unclear, and the path uncertain. What should I do? I can’t stay on this tiny Earth forever! The Earth is too small— with just a few flaps of your wings, you’ve seen it all. It’s no fun anymore. The universe is vast, surely filled with more stunning places to explore.

After much searching, I finally found a few ideal destinations: the Thousand-Year World, the Ten-Thousand-Year World, and the Elysium Islands Continent in the Elysium World.

The Thousand-Year World offers abundant food, no families, no nations, no political parties, and no religions. Everyone is equal and enjoys a vibrant life without conflict, anxiety, sadness, or exploitation. It’s far more enjoyable than life on Earth.

The Ten-Thousand-Year World is filled with people as beautiful as flowers and landscapes as magnificent as paintings. Resources are plentiful, and the most magical part is that people can walk or fly at will. It’s like a happy fairy tale world, perfect for someone like me who loves to play.

The Celestial Islands Continent of the Elysium World is absolutely breathtaking! Everyone there possesses supernatural abilities and extraordinary powers. It has 80 billion celestial islands, each the size of Earth. Every individual can own an island, becoming its master and living however they please. In comparison, life on Earth is pitiful—like ants crammed in a nest or frogs stuck in a well. It’s dull and uninteresting.

How do you get there? It’s as simple as turning your hand! If you want to know, just serve me some tea and cheer me up—I’ll share the secret.

My Innate Love for Change This love for change is in my nature. Perhaps it’s this innate love for change that led me to discover these “New Worlds.” Those confined to their familiar surroundings, where the seasons alternate year-round, often believe the entire world experiences the same. They can’t imagine that some places on Earth have eternal spring or summer.

Similarly, those confined to Earth think it’s vast and believe humans can only live here. They can’t fathom a far larger world waiting for us—places we can easily migrate to.

Don’t you ever feel the urge to shake things up?