(Clearwisdom.net)
Greetings Master, Hello everyone,
I am currently 15 years old and am in the 10th grade in high school. When I was 2 years old, my mother obtained Dafa, and since then, Dafa has become an essential part of our lives. I’ve been accompanying my mother to many Dafa activities in Australia and overseas, and also have been learning Dafa principles through reading Zhuan Falun and other Dafa articles.
Before I even started my cultivation, I had already benefited from Dafa. When I was an infant, I had difficulties breathing when I was asleep. The doctor said that my air passage was too small and my tonsils were very large. My parents and grandparent would have tears when they saw how I was struggling with breathing in my sleep. According to the doctor, I needed to wait until I was 5 or 6, when I was old enough to have an operation. But after Mom practiced Dafa for two months, one night, Mom said that somehow she knew that from that night, my sleeping problems would be solved. And it did turn out that since that night, my breathing problem at sleep had disappeared. Mom said that when one person cultivates Dafa, the whole family receive benefits.
In 2004, my Mom took my brother and me with her to Manhattan and joined many Dafa practitioners around the world, clarifying the truth to the people there. We gave out many flyers and walked many streets in Manhattan. A year before that, we participated in an international Dafa event in Washington DC. I still remember that summer, the weather was so so hot, but another young practitioner and I managed to march all the way till the end and didn’t feel tired at all.
I joined the celestial band in Sydney for a period of time. In the celestial band, I played the snare drum. When marching, or playing at a certain place, sometimes we have to march or stand for a really long time. The snare drum may not seem that heavy at the start, but as time goes by, the drum gets heavier and heavier, like 2 heavy rocks sitting on your shoulders where the handles are. And even when you are feeling this pain, you have to smile and look happy in front of the public. However, even when the pain is unbearable, I remember that this small pain is nothing compared to the pain of the people holding the base drum beside me. Their drum is twice the size of mine and I didn’t see them resting. After all, this is for saving sentient beings and I knew I could make it, just like when I complained during the second set of exercises when holding the wheel, Mom told me to try to forbear as long as I can, and see if I will really fall to the ground or not, and it always turned out that I was fine.
In my daily life, the toughest thing for teenagers my age is to do the right thing according to Dafa principles, and not get interfered with by your surroundings. In my school grade, over 90% are dating, which is considered normal by most of the students. There are times when quite attractive boys asking me to be their girlfriend, but I always kindly refused. Because I have read Zhuan Falun many times and I know what is right and wrong in my heart. My Mom also told me that I needed to focus on my schoolwork and learn all necessary skills when I am young. There is plenty of time later for things like dating when I am at an appropriate age and when I would be more mature.
There are also many trends that go around people my age. For example, the series about a vampire romance was a huge hit in my school. Everyone was talking about it, reading it and speaking about how vampires were now considered “hot.” Master said that these days, people don’t know what is good or bad any more. Only when you become a practitioner, cultivate yourself up and look back, will you realize what people are really doing to themselves (not exact words). I personally think movies or novels like that can’t compare with some ancient Chinese and Korean stories where people live much more meaningful lives. I was once given the first book of that vampire novel series as a present, and I was not tempted to read it. I ended up exchanging it for another book, as I knew that this strange trend about vampires wasn’t all that good.
Another big thing for people in my high school is constantly chatting on Facebook. In the morning, during school, and at home, everyone would devote his or her time on Facebook. To me, it is a waste of time, spending all your time on the computer, being addicted to chatting and sending photos. However it is a trend everyone is following. Even my 5-year-old cousin chats on Facebook. When my friends asked me to set up an account, I told them, “I have many activities after school and don’t think I will have time to chat on Facebook.” I think I will use tools like Skype and Facebook only when it is necessary for educational purposes, to study the Fa, or for future Dafa projects I may participate in.
Several years ago my Dad bought a popular video game for my brother and I, as a Christmas present. My Mom saw how my brother George was really addicted to it. He would forget to eat, drink or go to toilet when he was playing the video game, so Mom had a talk with Dad and took the video game away from us. Recently, someone from our school gave George an anime game piece, and my brother became addicted to it as well. This time, Mom had a serious talk with him. Mom told George that anything addictive such as smoking or taking drugs are no good, these harmful toys and games are the same. If we play games, we should play healthy games invented by our ancestors such as chess, Chinese checkers, and sports activities. But my brother said the anime game brought him more friends at school, and made him more popular. But Mom told George, “These people are your game piece’s friends, not yours. Friendship happens naturally. You may not be popular at school because you stick to your principles. But it doesn’t mean that you are any worse than these people. Maybe these people still don’t know how to appreciate the good quality in you. But as parents, we will always be there for you.” My brother really understood this time. And since then, he has never asked to play that game.
I think Mom is right. We must not use everyday people’s standards to guide our behavior. After I watched Shen Yun, I realized that good things are not necessarily boring. Shen Yun is promoting good, but it is still very entertaining. I believe the Shen Yun show, is the most beautiful show on this planet and Shen Yun’s music is the best music on earth. My Mom said our life is the same. We can keep our principles, maintain our xinxing, but at the same time, it doesn’t mean our life has to be miserable, we actually can have an even more interesting and fulfilling life.
Sometimes at school, I may begin to have jealous thoughts when someone gets a higher test mark than me, or wins something. Whenever these thoughts come to my mind, I always remember, “Nicole, you are a practitioner not an everyday person, you shouldn’t be jealous”, and the words of the Fa come to me.
When my brother and I get into small arguments when talking about something, if he hits me, my instant thought is to hit back. And with my brother, he always has to be the last to hit. But before I hit back, I would remember, practitioners must maintain their De. “No loss, No gain. To gain, one must lose”, and I will not hit back.
Another thing that I sometimes forget to do initially is to look inward. Sometimes when I feel something is so wrong and unfair, I start to hate the person and get very angry. But gradually I understand that I myself must have an attachment for that conflict to happen to me. When I sometimes still struggling inside with the situation, I would ask myself, “Imagine if it were Master in this position. Would he react like this?” Master will forgive, and be unaffected, accepting it with a smile. Then I should do as Master does. Of course, this can be very difficult sometimes.
I feel that I am truly lucky to be a practitioner, and most times am able to make right decisions and tell good from bad. Every day as I journey through life, words from the Fa constantly guide me and pop into my head, telling me, “I’m a practitioner, this thought is wrong” or “If it were Master, he wouldn’t do this.”
My mother also greatly helps guide me and keep me on track with her constant reminders and conversations at spare times when we are driving in the car or sitting at home. Without her, I wouldn’t be half as good as what I am. I still have a very long way to go, and have many attachments to relinquish, and must definitely become more diligent when it comes to exercising and studying the Fa.
I used to participate in dances and other activities, but it seems that I am so busy with my school and music work now. I hope get more involved in Dafa projects such as NTDTV or The Epoch Times in the future.
Thank you Master! Thank you fellow practitioners!