Hungarian finds joy in helping others

Zhang Qian

IT’S hardship that has shaped Hungarian Gabriella Nagy. It’s also hardship that taught her the most important thing in the world is helping others.

Nagy has faced loneliness, homesickness, losing jobs and other problems while living in Shenzhen for five years.

During a difficult time in her life, Nagy was asked by doctors to take medicine for panic attacks and keep a journal about when the attacks occurred. She bucked the doctors and decided to do the opposite.

Instead of writing about the bad moments of her life, she made a daily list of her achievements — no matter how small. Going out alone, attending a concert and meeting friends, were all things she wrote about.

“I know many people have said this, but it is so true that the more you give out, the more you receive,” said Nagy. “I figured out that the best way to come out of a low self-esteem zone for oneself is to reach out hands and help others.”

Nagy is trying to support the people in the world who need help the most. She helped organize events to collect clothes and funds for Nepal’s quake relief.

“We hoped to ship the clothes and shoes that we’ve collected to Nepal, but many of the roads there were blocked. So we donated the money to them directly and shipped the other material donations to Qinghai Province in China,” said Nagy.

She has also been involved in helping people in Ethiopia in Africa.

Nagy plans to collect donations for children in local orphanages, single mothers and elderly people who live alone.

“I and my friends will also visit some orphanages to play with the children there,” said Nagy.

Besides collecting donations for people in need, Nagy also organizes meditation groups. She believes people should listen to their hearts and follow where it takes them, rather than over-planning their lives.

“The most difficult things for people to do in their lives are to let go of the unnecessary attachments and to love themselves more,” said Nagy.

“I am not a follower of any religions but I do believe that love cures all,” said Nagy.