[Camus in India] Completed Experience is Breakthrough

Just back Hong Kong for a week, the volunteering trip in India was for a 21 days program named “eN-Genius”.  I mainly took care of special need kids and conducted some Art sessions.

It was an experience more than a program, actually.

Many people ask, “Why is going to India a MUST?”

In fact, the answer is always hiding behind the question: I do not want to go to India.  Why not?  The common reason is what people always think of India: poverty, dirty, walking without shoes, eating with hands, curry, spicy… and crime.

My friend asked my feedback about the trip and the answer was “Harsh”.  This is my third time been to India and last time I had stayed there for over 2 months.  Everything was fine last time but this time, struggle.  I got sick on the 4th or 5th day and became fine after more 1 week; At the same time, I should handle the volunteering work, running here and there, and I was crying for back to Hong Kong in two lines of tears.

Perhaps, you may ask, “why do you put yourself in that harsh situation?”  This is a question for me in India at that moment: just stay in Hong Kong, I would not have such harsh situation, but why should I be here?  What is the original decision for?  Then it was found that, I thought I was in a harsh situation, not because of the environment, people, arrangement, but because I was living an extremely protective environment where provided clear water, air-conditioning, fresh food, well-established transportation… The high living standard does not make me strong, but make me think “getting things for granted”.  Therefore, when I was in somewhere totally different from my living place, issues came out and showed on my body, mind and emotion.  This was the reason why I felt suffer.

Of course, we can stay in the greenhouse forever to avoid all thunderstorms outside, living in our illusions – that’s NO problem.  However, life is changing all the time, never giving for granted.  We complain, because we think we can get something for granted; It is always happened when people living in developed regions.  What will be happened with this thinking?  Read once newspaper or magazine, then you will know.

My friend asked after my sharing about the trip, “So, if you knew what would happen in this trip, would you still go there?”

“YES,” I replied directly.  Although it is a difficult experience, but completed, and the most learnt in this lesson is a breakthrough in my life – after back to Hong Kong, I am planning about my work.  There were many complaints and worry, and I was like a crying spoiled child all the time seeking others compassion and caring; but now I am working step by step towards my goal peacefully.