(Minghui.org) I used to have brittle self-esteem. If someone’s words offended me, I would be distraught, angry and spit back many words of anger, making the other person lose face. As a result, I suffered a lot because I regretted it later, but I couldn’t control myself when I encountered these situations. Fortunately, I started to practice Falun Dafa, and Dafa changed me.
Enduring While Holding Back Tears
One day, a classmate called and said, “One of our classmates is back from the south. I want to invite a few classmates to get together and have a good time. What do you think?” I said, “Good! You can plan it out.”
A few days later that classmate called and notified me, “We will get together at Qiangu Tourist Lodge tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.” When I arrived at the lodge, ten classmates were there. We greeted each other and began to mingle. Some took pictures, some went swimming, and some chatted with each other. I sent forth righteous thoughts to eliminate any evil beings preventing my classmates from accepting the truth about Falun Dafa. Then, I started to clarify the truth to them.
I said, “The epidemic is still severe. Yesterday, another old man from my subdivision was taken to the hospital.” A classmate said, “Whoever comes across the virus is unlucky. He has to pay a big price even if he doesn’t die. There will be after-effects.” I said, “There is a panacea for prevention.” They asked, “What panacea?” I said, “Sincerely reciting ‘Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good,’ will save your life. Also, you will be safe if you withdraw from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its youth organizations. Then, you will have double insurance and will be safe in the future. Why is it effective? Because when you took the oath to join the CCP organizations, you swore an oath to give your whole life to the evil Party. When you withdraw you will be under the divine’s control and receive blessings. You will have no worries.”
One classmate said, “I have been a soldier and joined the CCP and its youth organizations. Please help me quit!” Then, another classmate said, “I will be blessed if I quit. So I want to quit.” Six people withdrew from the CCP organizations, and two had not joined any of the CCP organizations. Then, I gave each person a Falun Dafa amulet and a card explaining about the hidden character stone, located in Guizhou, China.
At about 4:00 p.m. the classmate who had set up the meeting said, “I’m going to get the bill.” When she left, I told everyone, “Don’t let her take care of today’s meal alone; let’s share the cost. What do you think?” Everyone said, “Yes!” This was fair and reasonable, and no one was overburdened.
When we were talking about this, our classmate returned. She didn’t hear clearly what we were talking about. She growled, “I know I don’t have a high salary, and I am not as rich as you are. But whoever proposes sharing the cost, I will have a problem with you!” Her words hurt me. A female classmate beside me said, “What’s wrong with our classmate today? She can’t tell good from bad.”
I didn’t argue, but my eyes were filled with tears. I didn’t explain my reasoning to our classmate to defend myself. I chose to endure quietly. In other words, I endured with tears, as an ordinary person and did not forbear it as a cultivator.
I was depressed when I got home. But, I kept thinking, what kind of attachment was Master Li (the founder of Falun Dafa) telling me to let go through this incident? Master arranged for me to improve my xinxing. Realizing this, my anger subsided a lot.
Sitting on the sofa at home, I began to look inward. I searched but didn’t find anything wrong with me. That’s not right! Master must be asking me to remove some attachments. Look again! I began to carefully recall every detail, from arriving at the lodge to the time before the incident, as if I was watching a movie. What did I see? What did I think? I analyzed my every thought carefully, one by one, good and bad. Suddenly, my eyes lit up, and I slapped my head. I found it. It turned out that I proposed sharing the cost with an impure heart. My motive was not to ultimately help reduce the financial burden of my classmate. Instead, I tried to cover up my selfishness by coming to the lodge empty-handed. Seeing others bringing mineral water, fruit, drinks, and other things, I felt guilty and lost face. For this reason, I proposed sharing the cost. I did not meet the standard of a practitioner. My selfishness caused me to endure with tears.
Facing It Honestly
One day, when I was pulling weeds in the small yard, a lady from Unit 101 came by carrying a large package. She saw me and put the package on the ground to wipe the sweat from her brow.
I asked, “Why are you carrying such a big package on this hot day?” She said, “My husband doesn’t want to live here anymore. He wants to go back to our old house. He gave me the key after breakfast.” I said, “Why?” She said, “No reason. I think he is like a woman going through menopause, out of his mind.” I said, “It must be crowded when the kids are on school break. When school starts and the kids leave, he will be fine.” Then I left.
The following day, I was cleaning my home and suddenly heard an urgent knock on the door. I rushed to open the door and there was the husband from the couple next door. He started to accuse me straight away. He said, “Why did you say bad things about my wife to others yesterday? You said she was going through menopause and crazy. What did she do to you? She was so angry that she didn’t even eat dinner or sleep. She kicked me out early in the morning and said, ‘Don’t come home until you find out what’s happening.’ I have to find out why, and I also want to know why?”
It turned out that the woman next door overheard my conversation with the lady from Unit 101 in bits and pieces and thought we were badmouthing her. That evening, she asked her husband to come over and ask me why I was badmouthing her to others.
I was lost after hearing this. How could such a thing happen? Thinking carefully, I realized that I was a Dafa practitioner. So it was a test for me. I must strictly follow Master’s requirements.
I adjusted my mindset and talked to him calmly: “First, don’t be angry. I was pulling weeds in the small yard yesterday afternoon. The lady from Unit 101 came by and told me that her husband didn’t want to live here anymore. He wants to go back to their old house. She was angry and used words like menopause and crazy. It had nothing to do with your wife. I think your wife heard it wrong and misunderstood.”
He laughed after he heard my explanation and said, “I told my wife that you weren’t that kind of person. Also, she doesn’t bother you. Why would you say bad things about her? I told her not to look for trouble. My wife believed that you must have heard a recent argument of ours since our voices were loud and the wall is not soundproof.”
I said, “I don’t leave my house all day; after a meal, I clean up the dishes, clean the rooms, and then wash a few pieces of clothing; a day has passed. I do not know anything about your family. If your wife does not believe me, I can explain it to her in person to clear up any misunderstanding. Everything will be fine if your wife gets over her anger.”
The man smiled, “Big sister, I’ll tell you the truth. Today, I came to your home in anger, falsely accusing you. Normally, people would not tolerate it. But you did not get angry, and your words turned my anger into a smile.” He gave me a thumbs up and said, “Sister, you are amazing. It’s such an honor to live next door to you!” Finally, I told him the facts about Dafa, and he quit the Young Pioneers and the Communist Youth League, and then went home happily.
After sending him home, I turned around and something that felt like cold water flowed down through my leg. I knew I had done the right thing, and Master was purifying my body. My intention was good and I had thought about the other party. So I could figure out the situation and clear the air, and everything took a turn for the better.
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Category: Improving Oneself
