(Minghui.org) I am a nurse. In November 1998, I started practicing Falun Dafa in hopes of curing my chronic illness. The first day, I stopped taking Chinese and Western medicines that I had used for more than a decade. Soon I recovered my health, was disease-free, and experienced the joy of gaining a new life.
I would like to share how I cultivated myself and changed my living environment, which led to good results in clarifying the truth to people and saving sentient beings.
Treating Family Members Compassionately
My husband, a middle-school teacher, is timid, stubborn, socially awkward, and deeply indoctrinated by the Chinese Communist Party. He knew that Falun Dafa was good and benefited from it, but he was afraid of the persecution of Dafa by the Party.
In particular, after I was arrested and our home was ransacked several times by police, he became quite fearful and said the weak can't contend with the strong. To have a peaceful life, he obeyed the CCP and interfered with my practicing and talking to people about Dafa. He often verbally abused me and even hit me. He threw my Dafa books, pamphlets, and other materials out of our house several times and even broke a printer that I used.
At that time, I really didn't know what to do. I resented him and blamed him for various things. Even when I explained the goodness of Dafa, it was with the attachments of resentment, competitiveness, and trying to change his mind. Therefore, he wasn't willing to listen.
Through repeatedly reciting the Dafa teachings and looking inward, I realized that all of this turbulence was my fault. How could I save people with such strong attachments? I always wanted to change others but not myself. How could I disintegrate the evil factors behind my husband without powerful compassion? How could he open up to the truth?
After realizing these things, I knew that I should work hard on improving my xinxing (character or mind nature). After I eliminated the stubborn attachments of resentment, competitiveness, being hotheaded and selfish, and wanting to change others without changing myself, I found that my husband and other family members changed for the better. They were no longer as fierce and were friendly when fellow practitioners visited. Finally we were able to sit down and talk calmly to each other.
Thanks to Master's compassion, the resentment between my husband and me was resolved. I felt the utmost happiness and gratification.
In 2016, my nearly 80-year-old in-laws chose to live with us. I readily agreed. My brother-in-law said, “I know they are most willing to live in your home because you have a good temper and are very kind and easy to get along with.”
The other brother-in-law said, “You are doing the greatest thing and accumulating virtue. We are relieved that our parents live with you.”
My brother and sister said, “You shouldn't agree to do this so easily. Your parents-in-law are not easy to get along with, and you have several brothers-in-law. I am afraid you will be mistreated in the future.”
I knew that what they were saying was testing my xinxing, but I wasn't tempted to refuse my in-laws. I said to my sister, “Respecting the elderly and loving the young is a virtue of our Chinese culture. How can I still be a Dafa disciple if I can't do this? Don't worry. I will behave according to the standard of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”
My husband's parents now live with my family. They are happy and healthy, and we get along well. Our neighbors are envious. Some said, “People who practice Falun Dafa are good, have filial piety, and respect the elderly.”
Treating Contractors Well Showing Them What Dafa Disciples Are Like
I hired a contractor to remodel my son's room. The contractor said, “All you need to do is connect water and electricity, help select materials, pay the fees on time according to the contract, and inspect and accept each project on time.”
I thought that as a practitioner, I also needed to create opportunities to talk to the workers about Falun Dafa and the persecution. So I provided them with electric kettles, thermoses, tea, cups, and electric fans; I gave them whatever they needed.
Every day I prepared hot water in advance and helped clean up the construction waste. In the morning and afternoon, I gave them watermelon or drinks. The workers were very moved and liked to hear me talk about Dafa. Most of the workers also quit the CCP and were willing to pass the pamphlets I gave them on to their families and friends.
Their manager was very kind. He told them to put their heart into every job and do it well. The architect also said to me several times, “You are a very nice person, easy-going, and not picky. Working with you is really pleasant.”
In conversations with the workers, I learned that after working so hard under the hot sun, they had to go out to find restaurants for lunch, which was expensive and provided poor-quality food. I said to my husband, “I can buy more groceries, cook more, and let them eat lunch together here. Then they will have time to rest.” My husband agreed.
A carpenter worked at my home for nearly 20 days and ate lunch there every day except for the two days I was out. He often told us happily, “I’m touched by what you did. Let me know if you need any help in the future. I am willing to help your family.” One day, he made a mistake with the living room ceiling because he had misread the drawing. I told him that there was no need to correct it since it was not easy to make the correction in such hot weather. He said firmly, “No, I have to correct it. No matter how much more work it takes, I have to do things well, especially for your home.” I was moved by his dedication.
Eventually, every worker became our friend, believed what I told them about Dafa, and quit their CCP memberships.
Treating Tenants Well
Since I started practicing Dafa, not only did I recover my health, but my husband also got a stable job and considerable income. Because our old community was being relocated and reconstructed, our family was given eight apartments in a new area, which I leased out. In the course of leasing apartments, I would always regard myself as a Dafa practitioner and treat the work as part of my self-cultivation rather than just a way to make money.
I treat every tenant who comes to me sincerely and try to satisfy their needs. When they are in trouble, I help them. I let them pay their rent anytime they want. I get along well with tenants, and everyone is happy. They also recommend our apartments to their relatives and friends. Some tenants told others, “This landlord is impeccable, and there are no negative comments about her.”
Every time I heard these compliments, I was touched. I understand that it is because I cultivate Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and treat others with kindness and forbearance. It is Master Li (the founder of Falun Dafa) who changed me from being selfish to selfless. As a result, I became considerate of others.
After practicing Dafa for nearly two decades, my mind and body have undergone tremendous changes. I can no longer find the old frowning, unhappy, selfish, and narrow-minded me. I am very fortunate to have obtained Dafa.
I cannot find words to express my gratitude for Master's grace, compassion, and salvation. I can only do the three things practitioners should do, constantly improve myself, live up to Master's expectations, fulfill my prehistoric vows, and return to my true home with Master.
