Doing Things without Pay
What are the truly priceless aspects of life that money can’t buy? Obviously, money cannot buy knowledge, passion and friendships. These most valuable aspects of life, i.e., knowledge, passion and friendships, indeed, cannot be purchased. My writings and podcasts every week are cultivated through my life experiences and personal dedication. They are not paid by money. Yes. money can purchase educational materials, but knowledge that comes from my personal efforts and experiences cannot be bought. I will continue my writings and podcasts without pay because knowledge is more important than money. Next, true passion requires personal investment and time for genuine growth. Engaging in activities driven by passion is really more fulfilling than monetary gain. Recently, my volunteering to form the “English Youth Leadership Program” at Chung-cheng Industrial High School in Kaohsiung City without pay is my passion. While money provides opportunities to explore learning, it doesn’t create the intrinsic motivation needed for passion. In other words, passion does bring me joy and fulfillment that I might say it cannot be replaced by money. Lastly, I regard that genuine friendships stand out (突顯) as priceless treasures in the world. Authentic friendships, built on trust and mutual respect, offer a depth of connection that, for me, money simply cannot buy. It’s truly meaningful that I have “in-person English tutoring for free” with Zaki Wang. I value Zaki’s true friendship more than money provided. I would like to spend quality time with him, instead of favoring the payment of private tutoring, because Zaki is my good friend. All in all, it, absolutely, cannot be overemphasized that money, undoubtedly, can’t buy knowledge, passion and friendships.
First of all, I am not a “professional writer.” I don’t write for books or magazines. My very close relatives and friends that I have known for many years have often questioned why I invest my time in writing the articles since I don’t get paid for them. Well, I would like to say that writing helps me think of the philosophy of life. Every week, when I recalled the whole week schedules, my writing on Friday lets me learn the lessons, knowledge and wisdom of my daily routine. Secondly, I think that I can write to touch people. I write to form a connection with those who take time out from their lives to read what I have written. For these, perhaps unknown, people to take additional time to read my writings, I consider that I really give them my precious gifts. Besides, in terms of my own benefits, through the writings, I can be free to express my feelings that bring me pleasure. I enjoy writing my thoughts freely and lightheartedly. In fact, I know that the power of the spoken words with sincerity and passion can never be discounted. But, unfortunately, I am not an eloquent person. My writing is better than my speaking. As much as I love people and love to talk to people, I guess that through my writings, I could communicate with people more effectively. Actually, when I am inspired by an event that I read, hear, see or it has happened to me, I feel compelled to put it into words to share it with others. One of the strengths I think to be a “writer” is that I can present the events and my feelings to people. I don’t really care to pay my writings. Actually, the main reason I write without getting paid is that writings bring me joy while making me feel good even for a few hard moments. 
Maybe, not every action requires a paycheck. For example, hobbies, like singing and dancing, are just a few of many things that people participate in to express themselves, to share the cultures, and to just have fun without any pay. This is the exact reason why I started the podcast. In my podcasts, there are 52 episodes throughout 12 months, within a year. I started my podcasts without any intention of monetizing it. I didn’t even know if anyone would listen. And most of those who do listen are my friends and family. In the very first beginning, I just wanted to have fun and shared my podcasts with people who might care to listen. Year after year, I think that I am the person who gets the most advantages. My podcasts have taught me the importance of doing research, of being humble to be corrected when I am wrong, and of asking questions to solve the problems. It is possible to learn these skills elsewhere, but I have been afforded a great opportunity in gaining knowledge through the trials and applications of running the podcast.
     In addition, volunteering brings the noblest aspirations of human kind, i.e., the pursuit of peace, freedom, opportunity, safety, and justice for the world. In effect, a lot of people on earth offer their time, talents, and energy to others and their communities through different actions without financial rewards. Nowadays, with busy schedules, it might be hard for many people to find time to volunteer. However, there are, certainly, a lot of profits of volunteering. I am lucky to have such a volunteering chance to form the “English Youth Leadership Program” at Chung-cheng Industrial High School in Kaohsiung City. I have my senior Toastmasters member, Simone Nash, to help me create the agendas and sessions in the program. It is the free program for students to practice their spoken English at school. I have my passion, and I am, surely, willing to spend time and energy to discuss the activities with students and teachers without any pay. Nevertheless, it is worthy of my support to assist students in learning English.
Last but not least, I also offer in-person English tutoring for free. In-person tutoring means a tutor sits down face-to-face with a student. This could be done in any environment that facilitates learning, such as in the school’s classroom, at the tutor’s or student’s home, or in the local library. One of the most important benefits of face-to-face learning is the opportunity to establish a personal connection between students and tutors. I remembered that one of the Toastmasters members, Zaki Wang, asked me to teach him English in private last year. I quickly promised to help him for free without doubt. In-person English tutoring for free gives me a chance to socially interact with Zaki. Actually, I am glad to make friends with Zaki, and I am happy to help him find the right ways for English learning. Truly, I am the one who gets the best advantages. In Zaki’s case, I win the true friendship that money cannot buy. And I also learn the experiences to guide Zaki according to his unique strengths and areas for improvement.
In conclusion, money might be an essential tool for us to access necessities, such as shelter, food, clothing, transportation, etc. But, unquestionably, money cannot purchase knowledge, passion and friendships. My writings and podcasts provide me good knowledge that is priceless. I appreciate and cherish such valuable experiences very much. Again, the motivation of volunteering is our passion, not money. My recent volunteering experience is more worthwhile than money. At last, authentic friendships cannot be bought, but have to be built through time and effort. In our whole lives, we should cultivate our knowledge, passion and friendships, and, of course, these things cannot be bought by money.   

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