(Minghui.org) Even though I had volunteered to distribute Shen Yun posters I was not confident in my ability to do a good job. I was especially worried at the beginning when it seemed that I could only put up a few posters each day.
One hot summer day I became very tired, and every store I approached refused to let me hang a poster. One store would not even let me leave any fliers about the show.
When I got in the car to drive home, I discovered that the air conditioner was broken. By the time I arrived home I was soaked in sweat.
As soon as I walked in the door my husband asked, “How many posters did you put up today?” I was so upset that I couldn't answer him.
Ignoring the fact that I was sweating, tired and in a bad mood, he continued, “Other practitioners said that we should only distribute posters in upscale areas, otherwise we may damage Shen Yun's image.”
I immediately retorted, “Then why don't you go out and hand out posters? You just talk but you aren't doing anything! How can I post so many posters by myself?”
I angrily quoted Master's words,
“If your area has just one person, Gods will help you accomplish it. If you have other people in your area who do not lift a finger, then Gods will absolutely not allow it, so you must go and ask others to all get involved.”(Fa Teaching at the 2016 New York Fa Conference)
As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I immediately knew that I was wrong. How could I use Master's words to attack a fellow practitioner?
After dinner, I calmed down and studied the Fa. I remembered that whenever I encounter any obstacles I should examine myself for the cause. It does not matter who is right or who is wrong.
I found that I had resentment. On the surface, it seemed that I was anxious to put up more posters. But when I examined my motive, I wanted to prove that my task was the most important and I also had a competitive mentality to posting more and doing it faster.
Master said,
“Whatever you do, do it well. In the process of doing things, what’s looked at is your hearts, not your success itself. In the process of doing things you can save people! Your process of doing things is also a process of you elevating in cultivation, which, at the same time, plays the role of saving sentient beings! It is not that only if you succeed in doing that thing can you play the role of saving sentient beings.” (Fa Teaching at the 2016 New York Fa Conference)
When I read this I felt Master was talking directly to me. We should cherish the process of working on a project. Any difficulties or obstacles we encounter are part of our cultivation journey.
When I went out again, I became very tired after walking up and down several streets and distributing posters and fliers to businesses. The next day was even hotter, so I thought about taking a break and staying home. But I immediately remembered reading an article on Minghui about how an everyday person goes to work no matter what the weather is. I am a Falun Dafa practitioner. Shouldn't I be even more responsible and motivated than an everyday person?
So I told myself that I had to ignore the heat and my discomfort and just try. That day was quite successful. I posted more than a dozen posters!
My attitude improved with each passing day! I happily thanked the store owners when they let me hang a poster. If a store owner refused, I smiled at him anyway.
One store owner was very friendly, so after I put up the poster we chatted. I said, “It seems like every day is the same. But sometimes you can experience something truly memorable and amazing.”
When he asked, “How?” I immediately replied, “Go see Shen Yun Performing Arts! You will never forget it!”
He said that some of his friends said that Shen Yun was excellent. After we chatted a few more minutes, he bought two of the most expensive tickets.
Another day, I sold three tickets while I hung posters.
The truth is, my English is poor but I knew Master was encouraging me. I truly experienced what Master said,
“We really do have some people who have done a great job, who have gone about things in a very natural and poised manner in upscale neighborhoods. And when they’ve spoken with people, they have been quite at ease. Instantly the other party has been delighted, just as if they’d been waiting for you. That really is the case. There has been a great deal of groundwork done in advance.” (Dafa Disciples Must Study the Fa - Fa Teaching Given at the 2011 Washington DC Metro Area Fa Conference)
What does it mean to “validate the Fa”? I believe it means that we should do what Master asks.
Master said,
“...you must cherish yourselves. You are truly remarkable. Even Gods are cherishing you. I hope that you will do a good job on the road ahead. Especially for those who haven’t been able to do well, you must be extra careful, and cherish the time you still have.” (Fa Teaching at the New York Fa Conference on the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of Dafa’s Introduction to the Public)
I noticed that Master used the word “cherish” three times in one paragraph. I feel the message is very clear, and we should cherish this opportunity and not overlook it, otherwise we may be filled with regret.
Category: Improving Oneself
