(Minghui.org) It is not easy to deal with disputes with neighbors. Over the years my neighbors have invaded my property three times. While I had the urge to fight over my property rights, I remembered to be more considerate of others, because I am a practitioner of Falun Dafa, a spiritual discipline based on the principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
I managed to stay calm and avoided confrontation with them.
One Neighbor’s Addition Extended into My Yard
My backyard was adjacent to a neighbor's house. When I had an addition built in my backyard, my neighbor complained that it was unsightly and asked me to take it down.
My first reaction was, since I didn't build it on his property, how could he complain about it? But to avoid conflict, I had it removed.
When that neighbor later built an addition himself, it extended about a foot over the property line into my yard. If my son had been at home, he would have confronted that neighbor right away.
I thought to myself, “I'm a Dafa practitioner and shouldn't make an issue out of something like this.” I didn't fight with the neighbor and just let it go.
The Sheep Pen
Another neighbor had a sheep pen on the east side of my property. It stank and drew flies, which meant my family couldn’t enjoy our own property.
I knew I had a case and really wanted to ask my neighbor to put the sheep pen elsewhere. But then I realized I was being selfish. They hadn't physically invaded my property, and the pen was where they wanted it. How could I force others to change just for my comfort? As a cultivator, I should be considerate of others. After I changed my mindset, the sheep pen didn’t seem as smelly as before.
The Wall Between My House and My Neighbor’s
There was a movable wall on the boundary line separating my property from my neighbor’s on the west. When we built our front fence, we had it constructed 6 inches away from the wall.
When my neighbor on the west side later upgraded his fence, he built it right up against the wall and about 6 inches over the property line. Originally the wall sat right on the property line, but now it was no longer perpendicular to the front fence.
My son was very angry when he found out about it and wanted to argue with them. I persuaded him not to, reminding him of the principles of “no loss, no gain” and “to value harmony among neighbors.”
Views expressed in this article represent the author's own opinions or understandings. All content published on this website are copyrighted by Minghui.org. Minghui will produce compilations of its online content regularly and on special occasions.
Category: Improving Oneself
