Heap Hope Angels

老張是我們高中同班同學中唯一念醫學院的同學，他是癌症醫生。我們雖然是好朋友，但我們常常開玩笑說最好不需要去找他。

同班同學聚會，老張一定會到，他的收入高得不得了，所以有的時候他會請客，偶爾同學中有人發生一些經濟上的困難，他也會慷慨解囊。

雖然老張對人很慷慨，卻過著很簡樸的生活，他每次都坐公共汽車來聚會，他也乘公車離開，現在有了地鐵，他當然都乘地鐵。他也從不大吃大喝。我的感覺是，老張非常不喜歡過非常舒適的生活。我們都是六十二歲左右的人，到退休年齡，卻沒有人真正退休。

大概四個月以前聽人家說，老張退休了，醫院還為他舉行了一個退休儀式，而且聽說場面有些感傷。我弄不清楚是怎麼一回事，正想打電話給他，沒有想到在台北的一家書店碰到了他。他正在買偵探小說，看到了我，高興得不得了，一把抓住我，找了一家環境優雅的咖啡館，坐下來大談他所喜歡的偵探小說，我也聽得津津有味。

可是，我注意到一件事，老張瘦了一些。老張是個聰明人。他當然知道我已注意到他的消瘦，他主動地告訴我，他得了癌症，已經只有幾個月的生命。對我來講，這真是晴天霹靂，也沒有問現在有沒有治療，因為我想他是這方面的專家，應該知道如何治療。離開咖啡館的時候，下雨了。我替老張攔下了一輛計程車，這是我有生以來，第一次看到老張乘坐計程車。

一個月以後，老張來埔里找我。他的兒子也是癌症醫生。我們一起去了附近的農場看油桐花。那裡的油桐花種在道路兩旁，大樹成蔭，車子開過滿地的白花，真是奇景。 老張雖然時常面露倦容， 但他一再說不虛此行。 因為，他以後再也看不到 這種遍地都是白花的情境了。

除了看花以外， 老張也對我們的多媒體系統有很大的興趣。 我們的研究生，替他表演了好多有趣的系統。老張仔細地看這些表演，也問很多有道理的問題。 這也是看到老張的最後一次。

不久，老張就去世了。我當時心中納悶，為什麼他走得這麼快？以他的專業素養，他的癌症一定是初期，他所得到的治療也一定是最好的。 為什麼他這麼快就走了？

我們都收到了訃聞。訃聞中除了絕對婉謝花圈這些玩意兒外，還有一個特別的請求，請大家在指定的地點坐他們家租的遊覽車去。 訃聞中，好像拒絕任何人開汽車去參加葬禮。期間來了一大票名醫，他們都面容嚴肅。 我們這些人看了這麼多的名醫，更加深一個疑問： 為什麼老張走得如此之快？

謎底終於揭曉了，老張的兒子致詞的時候，告訴我們一個我們都不知道的故事：老張從頭到尾沒有接受任何治療。為什麼呢？ 老張的兒子在禮堂中放映了一段錄影帶，在這段錄影帶中，老張解釋了何謂癌症細胞？我們常以為癌症細胞是不健康的細胞， 其實不然，癌症細胞是最健康、最有活力的，別的細胞雖然會分裂，但分裂會有止境。癌症細胞的分裂永遠不會停止。 不斷的分裂需要養分，但是人的養分有限，癌症細胞的不斷分裂最後將其他正常細胞的養分吸取得一乾二淨。

因此老張認為我們這些人都是“癌症細胞”。因為太健康，所以我們吃得多。因為有錢，所以我們消耗掉大量能源。
可是，地球上就這麼多資源，我們用得多，其他人類就倒楣了。

老張在錄影帶中一再地強調：百分之八十的資源，由百分之二十的人類消耗掉。他也一再地提醒我們：如果，全世界的人都像我們這樣地吃遠洋的魚，全地球海裡的魚只夠我們吃一天。他一再地問一個問題：如果，全世界的人都像我們一樣地享受，地球上的資源能撐多久？舉例來說，四十年後，石油就用光了。

老張的錄影帶也介紹了非洲二千五百萬人得到了愛滋病的慘相，這一段的聲音被消除了。但這一段靜寂的錄影帶，帶給我們極大的震撼。

老張的兒子沒有解釋為什麼老張不願意接受治療？那一段沒有任何聲音的錄影帶，解釋了一切。老張早就對於他的生活好感到內疚。所以，他一直儘量地過得很簡單。

最近非洲大批人得到愛滋病，卻沒有人得到任何治療。歐美雖然有治療愛滋病的藥，但這些非洲窮人，如何有錢買這種藥呢 ?

老張熱愛生命，但是他不願他的生命影響了別人，他不願意看到自己太健康，太健康就是癌症細胞了。最後，老張提到他自己的病，他說：他的病是不可能痊癒的，花了很多錢以後，他可以多活三至四年，在這三、四年內，他所能做的非常之少，所以他不願意為了他的這三、四年的生命，而花費人類大量的醫藥資源。

老張的兒子也在葬禮上告訴了大家：老張臨死以前，捐了大筆的錢給一個慈善機構，專門用作醫治非洲愛滋病人之用。 老張如果多活幾年，也許可以醫治一些人，但是他的拒絕治療，卻是一個強有力的震撼教育。

前天，我們同學會，每人一個盤餐，大家不發牢騷，每個人都對自己的命運感到滿足。我家現在平時只開電扇，有客人來才開冷氣。我們也越吃越簡單，每次餐後有香蕉吃就心滿意足矣。我住的是公寓，有時，難免想念當年在國外住的獨門獨園房子。現在，我的想法也改了。如果，全台灣的人都這樣住，
台灣恐怕會看不到一片青山，一片綠水，全台灣只看到房子了。

老張說得有道理 ，我們不能生活得太好，我們不該是癌症細胞。我們應該將青山綠水留給下一代，留給別人。老張瀟灑地離去，使我們可瀟瀟灑灑地活著。我們都輕鬆多了。

去美门残障中心另一个目的是学手艺制作铁线模型。平时在街道、商业中心都看到残障朋友售卖各式各样的铁线模型和锁匙扣，其中有摩托车、自行车、乐器、动物、鱼儿、龙、昆虫等，个个栩栩如生，美丽极了！不过最令我感动的莫过于在阳光天使生活营里所见到的“天使心”模型。

它很特别，天使手上捧着一颗小爱心，底部绕着一颗大爱心，好像驾着云团的天使，把爱传递出去。第一眼看到它就很想拥有它，可惜当天活动环节我拿不到最佳爱心天使奖，只好与“它”擦身而过。只有身体力行，深入虎穴，才有机会得到“天使心”。

虽说拜师学艺，也得看天分。自问天分我是有一点点的，只不过我那双“老手”，僵硬如树根，那做得出细腻的东西！炳卫大哥的手艺很巧，扭什么像什么，花两三分钟就扭出 “天使心”，令我惊叹不已！一扭一压都看功夫，所以我第一步要学就是扭“心型”。我花了几个小时才扭出9个不像样的“心型”，炳卫大哥看在眼里，心里想，这块“朽木”可真难雕也！

铭礼看我兴致勃勃的样子，送了小天使心给我，还不惜花钱买铁线和钳子给我练习。工欲善其事，必先利其器，再勤于练习，一定可以扭出动人的模型。

我不会辜负铭礼对我的期望，相信美丽动人的“天使心”很快就呈现在你眼前了。

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水果篮

去美门参障中心好像成了我的日常生活之一。今天下午照常到美门中心探望朋友，碰巧今天也是Uncle Chui Mooi的鸡饭档开张大好日子，我们几个人包括Tommy、Thomas、亚妹、铭礼、坤诚和我相约到蒲种，给Uncle Chui Mooi 一个惊喜。

我们到SS2买了一个水果篮后就驱车前往目的地。 当大家去到档口时，发现档口干干净净的，Uncle Chui Mooi也不见踪影。 顿时，大家都觉得很奇怪，Thomas 立刻拨了一个电话给Uncle Chui Mooi问个究竟。

Thomas告知，原来Uncle Chui Mooi 还没开始营业。是谁放的假消息，害我们扑了一场空，摆了一个大乌龙！我捧着重重的水果篮，哭笑不得，只好叫他们拿回去，好好享用吧！

大家本想可以吃免费的鸡饭，就是人算不如天算，最后还是自己掏腰包喂饱自己的五脏六腑。原来有“私心”的人，上天是不会给他们得逞的，哈哈！

昨晚与美门的朋友外出，到KLCC看戏吃饭。人潮很多，戏院爆满，所以戏看不成，就去吃饭。

他时常到KLCC看戏，看惯了人群的“特殊”眼神，而我倒觉得很不舒服，很不自在。

问他感受，他说习惯了，都以平常心看待。心胸豁达的态度值得我去学习。

我们家常便话，谈谈各自的梦想。

我的梦想？

是一个很小很小的梦想——为弱势朋友服务，当一个称责的义工。

我很乐意为人献爱、付出、关怀，所谓爱心泛滥，但就是因钱财不足，有心无力。往往事不成，徒劳无功。

他说：你只一味着付出，用错方法和管道，当然徒劳无功啦！当事情搞不成时，必定把责任往身上扛，挫败的感

觉就涌上心头，滋味也不好受。

我告诉他，如果机会来到而不捉紧，让它溜掉的话，会不会很可惜呀？

他说：如果你本身还没装备好，信心不足下，当机会来到你面前，也不会把机会掌握好，白白浪费而已。

机会不是可遇不可求吗？错失了就后悔莫及，我反驳说。

他却说：机会是给那些信心满满、做好装备的人，宛如一个做好充分准备，等待出击的士兵。装备是让我们达成目的的必备资源。

做好装备的人是不怕没有机会的，所以要学习等待。不是每个机会都适合自己，强求是不会有好结果的。

让我们等待一个属于自己、适合自己的机会，然后把机会发挥得淋漓尽致。

人生道路有很多分岔路口，每到一个路口都面临一次的选择，而每次的选择都会影响未来。是舍，还是坚持？

伏尔泰说：“使人疲惫的不是远方的高山，而是鞋子里的一粒沙子！”“沙子”就是我们要放弃的东西。所以在人生的道路上，我们就是要学会随时倒出“鞋子”里的那粒“沙子”。什么也舍不得放弃的人，往往会失去更珍贵的东西。

放弃是一门学问。懂得放弃的人才会拥有更多。因此，我们需要智慧和勇气去做决策。“快乐的人放弃痛苦，高尚的人放弃庸俗，善良的人放弃邪恶。”“聪明的人勇于放弃，高明的人乐于放弃，精明的人善于放弃。”

这是我做教课书时所学习到的东西，与大家共勉之。

阳光天使营终于圆满结束了！！！
感谢我们营长以及其他委员们默默的付出，使我们的营声色不少。

这一次的阳光天使营我却有机会参与一份子；这一次与残障朋友们在一起的三天两夜真的让我学得很多，看得很多！！思想也慢慢的有所改变了。

每十个人当中，就有一位是残障人士！请数一数，这世界上有多少个人？？又有多少个残障人士呢？？？然而，我们这四肢发达的人会不会用对的方式帮助他们呢？看着残障朋友们很努力地为生活活下去，那种毅力与坚持真的需要去学习。毅力，坚持，勇敢与信心；这些都是我们需克服与面对的，试想想有多少个人能完完全全的善用它们呢？

这一次认识很多残障朋友都是后天性的残障。怎样说后天性的残障呢？那就是说他们不是一生出来就有残障而是因为遇到交通意外，生病等等的因素而导致的！

还记得在营的时候，我问了朋友一个问题，我说我真的无法想像当有一天我因为意外或是生病导致我残障的话我会怎样？？选择继续生活？？或是选择离开？？

我得不到答案！！要从一个四肢发达的人演变成坐轮椅，要怎样从中爬出来呢？？真的需要很大很大的勇气和靠着那毅力与坚持，我们才能从中爬出来。所以，老实说我真的很佩服他们。他们真的让我领悟很多！！

这一次我组的一位组长，就是后天性的残障。她是在3 年前的一场意外后失去了走路的能力，今年才19岁的她能承受着那时那样的黑暗和现在看到的她真的需要很大很大的勇气。回想起如是我的话，我真的不知道会怎样！！很佩服他们的勇气与那坚持。那股勇气与坚持我真的不知道自己做得到吗，还是老早我就放弃了？？

这几天，我真的学到很多也感化了很多，感觉上我的思想变了！！应该变得更好了吧！！

我也把很多东西看化了，看得比较不重要！！没有什么东西比自己的生活来得重要！！

HEAP HOPE ANGEL-s，我等着我们的另一个 so-called project， 饥饿 30 营！！！！你们是最棒的！！

老师，我觉得自己什么事都干不好，没有人看重我，我该怎么办？于是老师从手上脱下一枚戒指交给年轻人。然后对他说：“你到市集上把这枚戒指卖了，但价钱不可少过1个金币。”

年轻人来到市集，便开始出价兜售戒指。但当人群听了年轻人说最低价不能少过1个金币后，市集上的人个个都哈哈大笑。有的人说年轻人头脑发昏，只有一位老太太告诉年轻人他要的价太高了。年轻人再穿过市集，到处兜售戒指，但没人肯出1 个金币。年轻人垂头丧气地回来。

年轻人对老师说：“老师，对不起，我没照老师的要求把戒指卖出。也许我可以卖到2个或3个银币，但我觉得那不应该是这枚戒指的价值。”“年轻人，你说得对。”老师笑着说：“你再去一趟珠宝店，没人比珠宝商更清楚它的价值了。你问珠宝商说我要卖掉这枚戒指，问他出多少钱，回来告诉我。”

珠宝商仔细看了戒指后说：“告诉你老师，如果他想卖，我愿意出60个金币。”“60个金币！”年轻人惊呼。年轻人兴奋地跑回去，把事情告诉老师。老师对年轻人说：“你就像这枚戒指，珍贵、独一无二，只有专家才能真正判定你的价值。你怎能期望生活中随便一个人就能发现你的真正价值呢？”

从一个定义上说，人是为了肯定而活的。肯定有外在的肯定，即来自家人、朋友、同事、上司、社会等的肯定。这种肯定是有限而短暂的。因而是浅层的；内在的肯定是自我肯定。这种肯定是持久而强劲的，是人的生命永不枯竭的动力。所以要学会赞赏自己、鼓励自己、要多关注自己成功的点滴，哪怕是一个小小的进步！

看了一遍文章《睡了太久的兔子》，很不错，有所领悟，想与大家分享。文章写道：

“许许多多我们曾经有过的梦想，曾经立定的目标，曾经学过的技能，曾经傲人的天分，都像一只一只睡着的兔子。其实每个人在过去岁月里，都养过多少睡太久的兔子。有的兔子直到现在还在呼呼大睡，有的兔子还会睡一辈子呢！”

你养了多少只兔子呢？我养的兔子也不少，有些已醒了，有些还半梦半醒。真担心他们一觉不醒呢。背包旅行，参加国际义工，当画画老师，开婚纱店，做手艺，通通都是我睡着的兔子，不晓得他们几时醒来。

龟兔赛跑的寓言里，乌龟的真面目，其实就是“时间”。我们都在和时间赛跑，时间慢慢跑，却未曾停止它的步伐，梦想的兔子却常不知不觉的睡着了。人的一生，虽说起来很漫长，但已经度过了许多昨天。时光是有限的，当你没有那鼓作气，没有那份执着和坚持时，生怕你的兔子一定是昏迷不醒的。

今天，对于我们来说，又是一个崭新的开始。朋友，别再做守株待兔的人了！如你没有一丝行动的话，梦想是不会实现在你面前的！

This year’s theme for World Environment Day (WED) is Your Planet Needs You! UNite to Combat Climate Change. But too often we are presented with environmental problems without being given the tools to act. WED is about taking action to be a part of the solution. And the Daily do something Tipsare a great start.

We can all do our part to protect the planet by using less and acting more. Going green is not as difficult as you might think. Here we walk you through 30 easy ways to green your daily routine, from the moment you hit snooze on your solar-powered alarm clock to the point when you crawl into your eco-washed, organic cotton sheets.

Make your WED commitment today. But don’t stop at today and don’t stop here. Try to incorporate all of these into your life as a matter of routine. Get others to do so the same. And get involved!

IN GENERAL:

• Plant a tree! Help achieve UNEP’s Billion Tree Campaign target of planting seven billion trees – one for every person on the planet – by the end of this year! Three billion are planted. Five billion are pledged. On every continent in the world trees can be planted in June, so start your efforts on WED.
• Find needy homes or charitable organizations for things that you no longer need or want rather than throwing it away.

DAILY ROUTINE:

MORNING…

Bathroom:

• It would seem to go without saying, but many of us forget that we can save water in simple ways like not letting the tap run while shaving, washing your face, or brushing your teeth.
• Insulating your water heater will help save valuable energy, and you can go the extra mile by installing showerheads with a low flow in your bathrooms for bathing purposes to help save water. You can also put a timer on your heaters to save power.
• Using an electric razor or hand razor with replaceable blades instead of disposable razors goes a long way to cutting back on waste. And plant a tree.
• Use towels for drying your face and hands instead of tissues that are used and thrown away. Also, hang your towels to dry so that they can be reused several times. You are after all clean when you use them!

Breakfast:

• Juice or yoghurt lovers can do their bit by buying juice in concentrates and yoghurt in reusable containers instead of single serving packages.
• Many of us like to leaf through the paper as we munch on breakfast, but consider reading the dailies in communal spaces like the office or coffee shops. However, if you prefer to have your own copy, make sure you recycle!
• When packing your lunch, opt for reusable containers for food storage instead of wrapping the food with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
• As you leave the house, don’t forget to switch off all the lights and appliances at the wall unit (if you have this feature) and unplug chargers as they continue to consume even if they are not charging; saving energy helps reduce air pollution.

GETTING TO WORK:

• Don’t go anywhere without your cloth bag so you can just say no to plastic whenever you shop.
• Radical as it may seem, in today’s “the easier the better” society, the easiest way to reduce your carbon footprint is by avoiding driving altogether. Power down and Instead try biking, walking, carpooling, public transport or an occasional telecommute.
• If you have no other choice than to drive to work, look for the most fuel- efficient car model for your next purchase and keep your tyres inflated to the correct pressure.
• If you’re one of the lucky few blessed with clear stretches of road on your way to work, use cruise control, as it saves fuel and also helps you maintain a constant speed.
• If you’re among the majority of drivers who spend their mornings stuck in traffic, consider turning your engine off if you will be idling for long periods of time. And plant a tree.
• For those who suffer from road rage, remember that aggressive driving lowers your mileage, so if you want to save on fuel and save the planet while you’re at it, accelerate gradually– something to keep that in mind the next time that bad driver cuts you off! Just count to 10 and say the planet needs me!

AT WORK:

• Do you have a morning hot drink routine? Using a washable mug is an environmentally-friendly alternative to non-biodegradable styrofoam or plastic cups.
• Leave a cup and reusable bottle for water at work to eliminate buying drinks, which get served in plastic cups, or bottled water. 80% of plastic bottles are recyclable but only 20% are actually recycled.
• When you need a pad for lists and messages, turn over an old document and write on the back of that instead.
• If there isn’t an office recycling system, start one yourself! Recycling our trash actually contributes to reducing global warming emissions. And it is estimated that 75% of what is thrown in the trash could actually be recycled, though currently only 25% is.
• When you must have a paper copy, make sure you default your printer option to use both sides. This is an easy tree-saver!
• Most computer accessories like ink cartridges and CDs and DVDs are made of materials that could be reused. Computer cords and speakers are fairly standardized, meaning they can be used for a variety of computer models and makes.
• Lower your office’s carbon footprint by seeing computers, monitors, printers, copiers, speakers and other business equipment to their energy saving feature and turning them off at the end of the day. And plant a tree!
• Turning off all unnecessary lights, especially in unused offices and conference rooms is an easy way to save energy.
• If you’re in search of something to personalize your workspace, look no further than the humble houseplant. Houseplants are good for the environment because they remove quantities of pollutants present in the air.

AFTER A LONG DAY:

• In the summer/warmer months, consider using an interior fan in conjunction with your window air-conditioner to spread the cooled air more effectively through your home. While you’re at it, in winter, lower your thermostat and put on a jumper. In summer, increase it and wear lighter clothes, you will also save money!
• Don’t place lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning thermostat as it senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air-conditioner to run longer than necessary.
• When cooking dinner, match the size of the pan to the size of the heating element to lower energy wastage.
• When you are feeling at your laziest, don’t throw clean clothes in the hamper to avoid hanging them up! Wear jeans more than once…
• When you wash, use only eco-friendly products in your home. It’s best for you and the environment! And did we mention plant a tree!

Source : United Nations Environment Programme

IT’S HARD TO STOMACH

• 800 million people are struggling to find their daily bread
• In Bangladesh a kilo of rice 56 cents, a day’s wages $1
• Children are fainting in school because they have not eaten in days
• Four children die from hunger every 30 seconds

EACH NIGHT MORE THAN 300 MILLION CHILDREN GO TO BED HUNGRY

An emerging global food crisis threatens to widen this tragedy by forcing an additional 100 million people into extreme poverty.

Knowing that children are going without food for one day is bad enough, but knowing that, because of the global food crisis, children are going without food for days on end is simply too hard to stomach.

Here in Australia we may be feeling the pinch of having to pay a few cents more for petrol and food, but it is those who already struggle to live on less than a dollar a day that are paying the worst price of all—the inability to feed their children.

WHAT IS THE GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS?

Like a ‘silent tsunami‘ the global food crisis has caught the world off-guard and left millions of people struggling to survive.

Throughout almost every region of the developing world people are experiencing localised food insecurity, lack of access to food, or shortfalls in production or supplies. According to the World Bank, in the last three years global food prices have increased overall by 83 per cent. In many developing countries the cost of food staples like rice, wheat and corn has more than doubled in the last 12 months.

One sixth of the world’s population, nearly one billion people, already live on less than $1 day—the common measure of absolute poverty. Of those, 162 million struggle to survive on less than 50 cents a day. Rising food prices have the greatest effect on those people already struggling with food insecurity who spend 60 per cent or more of their income on food. According to the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation Jacques Diouf, there are now over 862 million people in the world without adequate access to food.

UPDATE ON THE GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS

Partly due to the global economic downturn, food prices have started to drop slightly after record spikes during 2008. However, it is expected that prices will remain substantially higher than pre-2005 levels and will continue to cause families living in poverty to decrease both the quantity and quality of nutrition.

As global economies begin to recover again, pricing pressures—particularly in developing nations—could even accelerate. Any decrease in food prices will most likely take longer to flow through and make a difference to the poor and will be less substantial than those seen in the markets of developed nations. The current macro-economic environment may be therefore be providing some broad temporary relief, but not a permanent reprieve from food price inflation, particularly for the poor.

Why is it happening?

All these factors converge to reduce the supply of staple foods like rice and wheat, making everyday food unaffordable for millions of people already living in poverty.

• Record high oil and fuel prices
• Natural disasters, including floods and drought
• A lack of adequate investment in the development of agriculture in developing countries
• The fluctuation in value of the US dollar
• Production of biofuels
• Increased speculation in the commodity markets
• Unfair trade practices
• Increased meat consumption
• A decrease in cereal reserves
• Food export controls
• Increasing urbanisation

Source : http://www.globalfoodcrisis.com.au