(Minghui.org) My parents are well-to-do business people and I also own a store. In contrast, my in-laws family are manual workers. I make more money and have a higher degree than my husband. I married “down” and I felt superior.
After my son was born, I wanted to predict business opportunities, so I studied fortune telling. A fortune teller told me that I was supposed to be married to someone other than my husband. I soon discovered my husband called another woman “wife” on social media. When I questioned him, he said that I was too controlling. He did not feel he did anything wrong as long as he came home at the end of the day—he even said that I could do the same.
After that, I lost faith in marriage. I was cold to my husband and his family. Only money mattered to me. I occasionally thought about divorce. I had no sense of security. I felt exhausted physically and mentally.
All my energy was used to make money, to make more money. But, I realized our health is more important than anything else. Who can give me health? Doctors? Many doctors are not healthy themselves. Furthermore, being a doctor does not mean one lives a long life. Eat healthy and exercise more? However, dietitian and athletes are people just like me. Pollution adds more stress to our health. Even though I told myself not to think about things that I have no control of, still, I thought about them. It occurred to me that making money and enjoying the moment is the way to live.
Wanting More in Life
Just when I felt hopeless and that life was meaningless, I met someone. This person was not just healthy, he was super healthy. Furthermore, he was extremely kind. I learned that he is a cultivator. I did not understand or believe in cultivation at that time. However, I wanted to be healthy. Under his influence, I also wanted to be compassionate. I used to want to be kind to people but I did not know why. It was sometimes obvious the other party was taking advantage of me.
The motto of my business philosophy was: I must profit. Doing business should be a win-win for both sides, however, when my interests were threatened, I played games and I lied. The cultivator I met was so compassionate, I want to be like him.
A year later, I learned he is a Falun Dafa practitioner. I was a bit suspicious of him at first. When I thought about it he only gave me help and kindness, and never asked for anything in return. This was not a pretense. Ashamed of my doubts, I accepted the truth: Falun Dafa is good.
I Begin Practicing Falun Dafa
Before I even finished the first chapter of Zhuan Falun, I realized this book was amazing. Every question I had and everything I did not understand were explained in the book. Why should people be compassionate? Why did I meet my husband and we became family? Why do certain people come into our lives and certain things happen to us? Why do people get sick? How can we resolve conflicts with kindness? What is the best way to live our lives? This book explained everything.
I began putting Falun Dafa’s guiding principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance into practice, and I treated my husband, neighbors, customers and everyone I met with kindness. My principle in life went from “do not allow myself to suffer any loss” to “try to not to let others suffer any loss.” Whenever my interest clashed with others’, I put them first. I did not feel bad at all after taking a loss. Still, there were times I did not do well and got into arguments. By reading the Fa (teachings), I recognized my mistakes, regretted my behavior and I did better next time.
My current understanding of compassion is that regardless who is at fault, I must remain rational, speak with a calm tone and keep a friendly attitude, and truly treat others with kindness. Master Li Hongzhi’s teachings are so vast that compassion has deeper meanings. After a while, some customers told me that I’m nicer than other store owners. Some coworkers said I was a good person. I got many new clients based on referrals.
My grudges toward my husband were also resolved. From the teachings I understood that everything happens for a reason and is based on karmic retribution. I reminded myself to treat him well. I realized he’s not a bad person. He has a good temperament, a positive attitude and does not blame others when things go wrong.
I did as many household chores as I could. I no longer got mad when he went out for a drink after work and did not call me. When he came home drunk, I was sympathetic and realized it was not easy to quit drinking, and I took care of him. My husband stopping drinking after his father passed away.
My mother-in-law moved in with us after my father-in-law passed away. Knowing she has almost no income, I gave her spending money every month. My mother-in-law has a kind heart and a quick temper. Neighbors joked that she got mad faster than lighting. The other women in the family had a hard time getting along with her. When a cousin praised our relationship, the other relatives pointed out it was not because the mother-in-law is good, it was because I was easy going.
I often hear people say our family is harmonious. My mother-in-law’s friends are envious of her having such a good daughter-in-law. It is Dafa that is good and Master taught me well.
My health improved. Walking up ten flights of stairs was effortless. One time, I walked over five kilometers (more than 3 miles) to the market while I recited Lunyu, I finished by the time I arrived at the market, and I wasn’t tired.
Besides being given pain medication to help with labor when I gave birth to my second child, I did not have to take any medications for over ten years since I started practicing Falun Dafa. Even though we live in a polluted environment, it is still possible for me to stay healthy. Many friends and family envy my healthy body.
I am digressing a little here. I’ve read Master’s teachings for over ten years, I am healthy, my family is harmonious, my children are thriving and I get along well with those around me. I never give Master money or presents, nor have I ever met Master. My first copy of Zhuan Falun was given to me for free by another practitioner. I downloaded Master’s other teachings from the internet for free and I printed them at home. The ones I could not print at home due to formatting, other practitioners helped me print.
I felt embarrassed receiving books for free, I gave these practitioners five yuan for a copy of “Teaching the Fa at the Conference” and 12 yuan for a copy of Zhuan Falun to cover the cost of ink and paper. No money was sent to Master. All practitioners volunteer their time and labor. They traveled quite a distance to pick up the books and deliver them to me. When some of my relatives and friends were interested in Dafa, I gave Zhuan Falun to them for free. I also print out Master’s new articles and gave them to those who want to read them but don’t have access. I provided them for free as long as they treasure those articles and read them with care.
My two children also study the Fa. They know to handle situations they face with compassion, and they get along well with teachers and classmates. A friend of mine has a son in high school. He got into fights, spent money lavishly and had to rest at home for over a year due to a leg problem. He caused so much trouble for my friend.
However, the other parents were in similar situations. Upon hearing my older son goes to boarding school, does not get into trouble, spends money carefully and is healthy, she praised me for doing a good job raising my son. It is not me who parented my son well, that is beyond what I can accomplish in this society nowadays. It is because Master’s Fa is great. There is a saying in traditional Chinese medicine: “When there is righteous energy within, then evil cannot interfere.”
My children study the Fa regularly, they know right from wrong, and they are compassionate. As parents, our jobs got easier.
Some of my friends also want to become kind and healthy, but they had the same doubts about Falun Dafa that I used to have. I hope they will soon realize that Falun Dafa is good and return to their compassionate selves. All the thoughts I used to have, such as living for the moment, life is hopeless and meaningless, muddling through each day, are all gone. The moment when I returned to my true self, my heart was calm and at peace.
Thank you Master!
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