(Minghui.org) I was having dinner in a restaurant recently when I encountered several former colleagues and supervisors whom I used to work with before I retired. We are all close in age, yet many of them commented how good I look. They were even surprised that I was retired, since I looked so healthy and vibrant.

I learned that many of them were having health and personal issues, which worried them. One colleague, who had not yet retired, found work to be physically draining even though his workload was considered on the light side. They knew I had practiced Falun Dafa for years, but they were still surprised by my youthfulness and good health.

I wasn't always so healthy. I had previously suffered from multiple diseases that are usually found among older people, including severe migraines, hardening of the arteries, arthritis, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis. At that time, I looked much older than my age and I was very weak. I had no energy, so both work and keeping up with housework was demanding for me. My children were weak as well, and they were always getting sick. Much of our family income was spent on medical expenses for all of us.

My father, a retired teacher, introduced Falun Dafa to me in October 1997. He was very serious about wanting me to read the book Zhuan Falun, so he said he would quiz me on it later. I decided to give it a try.

I saw law wheels (fa-lun) rotating on the book, then I felt something spinning in my lower abdomen area. Without even realizing how quickly I had read, I soon finished the book. I felt as if I came back from another life, and I was overwhelmed with the feeling of joy. My troubled mind—full of worries and depression—was gone.

In this way, I started to practice Falun Dafa. I joined fellow practitioners in doing the exercises, reading the Fa, and introducing the practice to others. Within one month, all my diseases disappeared! Then, I was able to do household chores with no problem. Even the heavier chores were easy, such as fixing the heated brick bed in the house, carrying coal for household use, and even moving furniture. I could take care of my two children and was energetic at work.

This was happiness I never experienced before. Life became hopeful and beautiful like a meadow of flowers blooming in the spring. The dark cold winter of the past was gone.

My children joined me in practicing Dafa, and they too regained their health and energy. We all enjoyed good health and no longer spent money on medications. The quality of our life was much improved.

Witnessing the changes in me and my family, a few of my colleagues started to learn Falun Dafa. One colleague asked me, “Is it true that all diseases will disappear if I practice Falun Dafa?” I replied, “It depends on whether you truly improve your character.”

The colleagues who learned Dafa experienced improvements in their health as well.

As I was enjoying my new life, the persecution of Falun Dafa by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) began in 1999. The persecution reminded me of numerous man-made catastrophes during the Great Cultural Revolution, and I became too scared to continue my practice. Consequently, my previous diseases returned, and I resorted to the use of medicine to treat them. However, none of them worked.

My physical suffering caused me to re-think the criticism, defamation, and propaganda the CCP had thrown at Falun Dafa. Is Falun Dafa good or bad? Are Falun Dafa practitioners right or wrong?

After thinking it over I understood the truth: Falun Dafa is good! So, my children and I returned to our practice of Falun Dafa, and we have remained diligent.

I tell everyone of my own experience: “Practicing Dafa is the happiest thing in life!”