(Minghui.org) My health and character improved significantly after I became a practitioner in 1997. Once the persecution of Falun Dafa started in 1999, police vehicles were continually parked in front of my house. I also own a grocery store, and the police arrested me several times at the store.
Through radio, television and print media, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) spread absurd lies about Falun Dafa. Local residents knew that I practiced. So, out of curiosity, they visited my store to see whether I had become mentally unstable or deserted my family, which were just two of the ways the regime had portrayed practitioners in its propaganda.
After a while, local residents observed that I talked normally and conducted my business well. They smiled and told me that although I practiced Falun Dafa, I did not behave the way the CCP portrayed practitioners on television. I told them the facts about the persecution, and many of them were able to understand.
I have conducted my business honestly because of my belief in the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Since beginning the practice, I haven't sold counterfeit cigarettes or alcohol. One person told me, “Because of Falun Dafa, everyone trusts you, and that is why your business is doing so well during the holidays.” Many others have given me similar feedback.
Several times customers have left wallets and cell phones in my store. I would close shop and go looking for them to return their lost items. In one instance, a customer gave me a present to thank me. I told him that it was Mr. Li Hongzhi who taught me not to take advantage of others, to be considerate, and to always be a good person. My customers have good impressions of Falun Dafa.
One summer there was a construction crew working outside of my store. One of the female workers came in to purchase bottled water. I told her that there was a cold water dispenser in the store that was free. I asked her to tell her coworkers to come in whenever they were thirsty. I also offered them cool shelter during their lunch period. They were glad that they had met me. I offered them my homemade pickles to go with the steamed buns they brought. I then clarified the facts of the persecution of Falun Dafa to them. Some of them cried and were concerned about me. They reminded me to be careful and not to get caught by the police. All of them quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations.
I sent forth righteous thoughts while asking Teacher to guide the two foremen to me, so that I could speak to them about Falun Gong and the persecution. A few days later, one of them came in to borrow a tool. I quickly told him about quitting the CCP. He said that the women workers had told him about me. He asked me to help him and his family quit the Party.
One day I explained the facts about the persecution to a lady shopper. She told me that she knew about it. Her car had broken down 20 miles away from her home a few years ago, and no driver stopped to help her. Two people in a truck later stopped and drove her home, with her car in tow. She tried to give the people money, but they refused. They said that they practiced Falun Dafa, and their Teacher has asked them to be good people and help those in need. The shopper said that ever since then, she has known that Falun Dafa is a righteous practice. I told her about quitting the CCP and its affiliates, and she and her family quit shortly afterwards. I was happy for her and very proud of the two practitioners who had previously helped her.
One time I talked to an older woman in a park about Falun Dafa. She said, “The people I admire the most are Falun Dafa practitioners.” Her granddaughter, who practiced Falun Dafa, took very good care of her. The granddaughter washed her clothes, cooked, helped her shower and attended to her other daily needs.
Besides her granddaughter, the wife of her former boss also practiced Falun Dafa. “This lady never took a present from anyone,” and the woman went on to detail what a good person the practitioner was. I was really moved by her admiration of practitioners. When I told her about the persecution, she became angry at the CCP and said, “Everyday, I tell people that Falun Dafa is an upright practice. I condemn those who suppress it.”