(Minghui.org) I started cultivating Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, with my mother in 1996 when I was still in elementary school. Cultivating Falun Dafa is the best thing that ever happened to me and Dafa has completely changed my life.

I was a mischievous child before I started to cultivate. Not only did I always get into trouble, I often had the worse grades in my class and I was frequently sick. Although I am a girl, I was very competitive and always enjoyed being in the spotlight. I would also get into fights with my friends—I was the only girl in the neighborhood who fought with boys. Many grown-ups did not like their children to play with me as I was seen as the outcast in my neighborhood.

Due to my arrogance, people said I always had a mean expression on my face. When I was young, I had a babysitter who would stay far away from me whenever we went outside to play because I did not appear approachable. During elementary school, my classmates really liked some of our student teachers. One of the student teachers made gifts for all of us. When I went up to receive my gift, she said, “I don’t want to give it to you.” I asked, “Why not? You gave everyone else one.” She said, “Because I don’t like your behavior.” When I returned to my classroom, tears started to roll down my cheeks. The headteacher said, “That is strange. All the good students followed the student teachers outside. Only students with poor grades are left inside.” That made me even more upset.

However, after I started cultivating Falun Dafa, I followed the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and started to be a better person. By elevating my moral standards and cultivating, my appearance and behavior completely changed for the better.

In the past, my teachers and parents never believed what I said because I always lied. After I became a cultivator, I got rid of my bad habit of lying. I was able to restrain myself and not lie. Had it not been for Dafa and following the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, I would never have been able to get rid of this bad habit. In daily life, lies and deceit were “business as usual,” so I’d always regarded lying as “normal.” When I used to lie and deceive others, my heart felt very heavy. Now, by following the principle of “Truthfulness,” my heart no longer feels heavy. Instead, I am more sincere and compassionate. I am willing to communicate sincerely and help people who are in need. I’ve learned to be considerate of how others feel instead of focusing on how I feel. I’ve now made true friends.

I used to be very weak. During the flu season, I would always be on medication or be admitted to the hospital. I grew stronger after I started to cultivate and I saved my family a lot of money. In the winter, almost all my classmates would catch the flu. At that time, there were six of us, including me, in my dorm room. Even with all five of my roommates coughing and sneezing, I never got sick. Many of my classmates were amazed at how I managed to stay so healthy.

Dafa elevated my moral standards and my facial expressions also changed. I looked younger and had more energy than other people my age. I remembered once when a neighbor said to my mother, “Out of all the kids in the neighborhood, your daughter has changed dramatically. She used to be rude and always looked angry, but now she is gentle, quiet, and lovely!” I told the woman, “This is because I followed my mother in cultivating Falun Dafa and comply with the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I wanted to be a better person and it did truly change my life.” The neighbor replied, “Yes! Who would have guessed that someone with such poor grades in elementary school would end up at the top of her graduating class.” I took the opportunity to clarify the truth to her and she quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Everyone who lives in my apartment building works at the same place. One time in the lobby, I started to chat with a man who turned out to be very familiar with my relatives. During our conversation, he asked for my age and was quite surprised when he found out that I was in my 30s. He said, “You look like a teenager, no more than 20.” I started to clarify the truth and helped him quit the CCP. He agreed and I knew deep down inside that all this was possible because I’d started to cultivate when I was young.

When I am outside or traveling, people from all walks of life chat with me because I look relatively young. I tell people about Falun Dafa with compassion, so they accept what I say. Many also quit the CCP. At times when it was difficult for me to clarify the truth, I would look inward and realize either I did not have righteous thoughts or I was impatient at that moment. I would not give up on the person and I would strengthen my righteous thoughts and be more sincere. The person would be touched by my words and willingly quit the CCP.

I had the worst grades in the school before I began to practice Dafa. I would never know how to answer the questions on my exam papers or my homework. This troubled my teachers, my parents, and me, because no matter how hard I tried, it just did not get any better. My parents found tutors for me, but it was all a waste of time and money. I would blank out in class and be very slow to respond. 

After I started to cultivate, I was able to sit quietly and listen to my teacher’s lectures and strived to work harder. I was willing to take the initiative to answer questions. Although my grades did not change drastically, all my teachers saw that I’d changed. Everyone was surprised at my transformation and I would tell them it was because I cultivated Falun Dafa.

I started to like to sketch and draw while I was in middle school. Many of my art pieces were on display at the school. Because of my interest in art, I decided to attend a fine arts high school and became the class representative. I abided by the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and placed others’ needs before my own. I reported to school early and left late, and I did not mind getting dirty or tired.

I also worked at being more focused on my drawing and to work harder. My drawings often portrayed what I enlightened to in my cultivation. In class, the teacher would set up two still lifes, an easy one and a hard one, and I would always try to draw the hard one. In high school, it was popular to be in a relationship. Several of my male classmates expressed their interest in me but I would bluntly say, “I am sorry, I only want to focus on my art now!” When I took the art exam, I scored better than usual. My art teacher, who was usually very strict, congratulated me. I was very calm and knew that this was Dafa helping and arranging the most righteous path for me.

After graduating from high school, I studied at an arts college. I still followed the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and made sure to give every piece of art I worked on my best. I also took the initiative to learn new things, and my teachers complimented me on my urge to always do better. By studying Zhuan Falun and Master’s lectures, my knowledge increased and I was able to understand things at a higher and deeper level. If I had extra time, I participated in local social work. My class became the most prominent class at my arts college.

From the once mischievous “ugly ducking,” I have become a cheerful and self-possessed young lady. When I was the art representative, I assisted my teachers, helped my classmates, and did everything selflessly. I was the first student in my school to be awarded a national scholarship and my grades were the highest in the school. My teacher told me that, because I’d earned so many awards, I could have the scholarship of my choice. However, I gave this opportunity to others whose work was also outstanding. Dafa has enabled me to be selfless, and I always consider others first. Several of my artworks became part of the textbook curriculum, and many of my pieces were displayed at the school.

After graduating from college, I was accepted to a master’s program at another institution. While studying for my master’s degree, I had more time to clarify the truth and also printed out truth-clarification materials. I decided not to live on campus. I attended school during the day and made truth-clarification phone calls in the evenings. I distributed Falun Dafa information every day. I was able to clarify the truth to many people, and many were willing to quit the CCP.

I will be more diligent in my cultivation path, do the three things we are to do well, have stronger righteous thoughts, and follow our great benevolent Master back home to where I truly belong.