Speaking Honestly About Life (VI): Labor and Dedication as Source of Joy

Xuefeng

April 21, 2007

For eight years, I labored tirelessly without earning a penny, yet those years were the happiest of my life.

From 1994 to 1995, I traveled incessantly within the 600-kilometer stretch between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls, covering nearly 250,000 kilometers in two years. I traveled from village to village and school to school, working tirelessly day and night. My job was to serve as a interpreter for a well-drilling team, though in reality, I handled all sorts of odd tasks: purchasing materials, managing relationships, scouting drilling sites, arranging accommodations for the team, organizing villagers to build roads, supervising workers, and serving as a interpreter for the leadership, among other duties.

There were no holidays or weekends during this period, and I worked at least 10 hours daily, often returning to my temporary quarters at midnight. After grabbing a quick bite, I’d collapse into bed, only to rise early the next day and begin again. At one point, due to a lack of vehicles, I drove an open-top jeep that had to be jump-started by other vehicles each day. Once running, I didn’t dare turn off the engine during the day. The jeep had numerous quirks: its driveshaft frequently detached, the headlights failed to work at night, and the steering wheel had a significant lag—requiring half a rotation before the tires responded, often with a sudden sharp turn.

Two incidents stand out. One night at around 10 p.m., I was leading a convoy through a jungle without roads during a relocation. Since my jeep’s headlights didn’t work, a large truck behind me provided illumination. As the interpreter, I was the only one familiar with the route, so I had to lead the way. That night, I relied entirely on intuition to drive, yet we safely reached our destination. The local workers joked, “You could be our president’s driver.” On another occasion, facing an emergency, I drove over 60 kilometers in complete darkness along the national highway from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls. With no lights, I navigated by the faint contrast between treetops and the sky. At the time, I felt no fear, but looking back, I realized I was gambling with my life. But life often compels us into such situations, driven by forces beyond our control.

During these two grueling years, it was said I would earn 60,000 yuan. However, because I defied organizational arrangements and stayed abroad, I never received the money. I’ve never asked for it either.

Though I didn’t earn a single penny, I gained a treasure trove of happiness:

1.Driving along paved roads, dirt paths, bumpy tracks, washboard surfaces, muddy trails, and jungle paths, I experienced the joy of constant discovery, like finding “a new village beyond the shaded willows.” It was thrilling and exhilarating.

2.I frequently interacted with an American and a Zimbabwean supervisor engineer. We had endless conversations, even laughing uproariously while comparing the differences between women of different races, such as Asian, African, and European women.

3.The simplicity, sincerity, kindness, and generosity of the locals often moved me to tears. When I organized tasks for villagers, they would work enthusiastically. Whenever water flowed from a newly dug well, the entire village would gather to dance their traditional dances—so admirable and endearing.

4.There were many group activities. A dozen Chinese colleagues dined, worked, and slept together, sharing stories from all over China, often making us laugh until we cried.

5.Losing myself in labor and dedication elevated my character. I felt noble and often dreamed of making the world a happier place for kind and impoverished people. Their dreams became my dreams.

Since 2002, I have devoted myself to creating the values of Lifechanyuan. For six years, I’ve written over 1,000 articles, amounting to nearly two million words. I closed my company and ceased all business activities, incurring economic losses of at least one million yuan. To this day, my writing hasn’t brought me a single penny, and I’ve become increasingly poor. Yet my joy and happiness have only grown.

Establishing Lifechanyuan has provided a spiritual and soul home. I’ve found many like-minded friends, and now we gather in this home as brothers and sisters. Together, we enjoy emotional, spiritual, and soul freedom. It feels like we’ve already entered the Thousand-Year World of Heaven. “To have one confidant in life is rare,” but I’ve gained dozens of soulmates with whom I share life and death. This kind of wealth is immeasurable.

Such are the fruits of labor and dedication. True happiness lies in the selfless process of labor and giving. Though I’ve become economically poor, I am spiritually and soulfully enriched—a blessing from the Greatest Creator.

If this spirit spreads widely, humanity will surely enter the blissful Lifechanyuan Era!