(Minghui.org) As early as I can remember, my parents taught me to be “sharp.” I had to learn every which way to come out on top. In my sophomore year of high school I then came across the book, Zhuan Falun; it changed my life 360 degrees and I experienced happiness that I had never had before.
I loved games. I'd spend all my pocket money on gaming. Of course, that didn't help my performance in school. I disliked school work. As soon as I came home from school, I'd hit the family game room.
I was addicted to games. My addiction to games became stronger and stronger to the point that I could not live without playing games.
Being typical Chinese parents, my mom and dad wanted me to excel in school, so they discouraged this habit the only way they knew: They'd chase me out with a stick, yell profanities at me until I cried, and would often make me kneel on the curb outside our house for all the neighbors to see.
Because of my poor grades in school, I also suffered from low self-esteem. I fell victim to bullying from one particularly nasty classmate. I wanted to fight him and win but never could. If I could not beat him in a fist fight, I thought I could teach him a lesson by using a knife. My thoughts were going down a dangerous road.
As I entertained this unhealthy thought, I happened to find Zhuan Falun laying around at home. I knew Falun Dafa taught exercises and I thought they could help me overcome bullies.
So I learned the exercise movements. In our neighborhood there were senior citizens that we respectfully call “aunties” and “uncles.” They'd go to the square to practice the exercises. After school, I started to follow them and do the exercises with them.
When I read the book, I discovered it didn't teach people how to fight but rather how not to fight. The book taught how to practice forbearance when being punched or insulted. Practitioners were required to be good people all the time. When other people bullied me, I could not behave the same as they did. The book taught me to be kind and honest, not to lie, and be a true man.
The aunties and uncles told me that cultivation in Falun Dafa was not just about practicing the movements. I had to cultivate my character and be a good boy. I didn't know much about cultivating my character, but I was happy to be with them and follow what they said.
Soon after I started practicing Falun Dafa, I no longer wanted to play games. When I played, I really didn't enjoy it. I wanted to do well in school, so I spent my spare time studying instead of playing games.
Within a year I became one of the top students in my school and was accepted in the best senior high school in my county. I scored sixty points higher than the entry level. My neighbors couldn't believe it. They knew how I used to be and thought my parents paid a bribe for me to be accepted. The real reason was that I practiced Falun Dafa!
I studied the Fa and practiced the exercises in my spare time. I learned from the Falun Dafa books that I should be a good person and be considerate instead of selfish.
Students at my school were under a lot of pressure to be accepted to a good college. Parents taught their children to compete with others for the best grades. So students would not help each other to learn and study.
At first, I had a similar thought, but as a Falun Dafa practitioner, I realized I had to change. When I overcame this selfish thought, I tried to help others. As I studied the Fa more and restrained myself, my selfishness became weaker and weaker. I no longer thought that I would be at a disadvantage if others learned from me.
I helped others without expecting them to help me. I was accepted at a university without a problem. At the university I followed the requirements in Falun Dafa books, and I constantly improved. I got along well with my classmates. Everyone thought I was a kind and trustworthy person.
After graduation, I easily found a job in a big mobile home construction company. I got along well with my colleagues and was trustworthy. I was known for my skill in graphic design.
One day a hard rain pelted the company's construction site. Half of the mobile homes were destroyed by a flood. The company prepared a big claim against our insurance carrier.
My manager collected photos of the damage. He then told me to edit the photos to make the damage appear worse than it was. I knew this would be a lie, so I said I could not do this. For this, I was forced to leave the company.
I soon found another job, but failed the physical exam because I had tachycardia, a form of congestive heart disease. The doctor strongly suggested that I take some medication before I retook the exam.
My friends and relatives tried to help me. Some even gave me the needed medication. I wasn't sure what to do either. If I didn't take medicine, I might fail the physical, and this was a very good company!
If I let this opportunity pass me by, I didn't know when I could have another offer as good as this. But if I took medication, wouldn't I be going against what I believed in? I pondered this for a while and decided that I should act according to my true self and not take any medicine. Whatever would be would be. I failed the physical again.
Another job offer came my way and the same thing happened. Two missed opportunities. Yet I continued to act like a true cultivator. Finally, I was hired for another job with a salary much higher than the previous two jobs.
Since I started practicing Falun Dafa, I have been truthful in speech and action and consider others first. I require myself to be a better person.
People may ask me why I practice Falun Dafa. I have been healthy since I started the practice ten years ago, and it has opened up my wisdom. I learn more quickly and do my job better. I understand many important life principles. On a deeper level, Falun Dafa is the Buddha Fa that improves one's realm. I have gained true happiness from practicing it.