(Minghui.org) A few years back, I visited my brother who was being hospitalized for a serious illness. He told me, “I don't have enough money to pay my medical expenses. Can you pay them for me?” I agreed, knowing full well that I would never see a penny of the money. 

My brother sensed my reluctance and hesitation and was not happy. Upon being discharged from the hospital, he stopped contacting me. I felt wronged, “I helped you when you needed me, didn't I? And I never complained, either!” I thought.

Shortly after, a new neighbor moved into an apartment a few doors down from mine. She had a habit of leaving her garbage bag outside her front door. As such, dirty, smelly liquid would often leak from the bottom of the bag and onto the floor.

I used to wait until she hauled the garbage away before I mopped down the whole area. Then, she started piling even more garbage in the hallway, including cigarette butts and broken glass. I was very unhappy, and felt helpless as to how I should deal with the situation. Her actions were neither fair nor just.

Then, I read a Minghui.org article in which the author said, “A practitioner will not run into a lot of problems during his cultivation practice if he wholeheartedly believes in Master and the Fa. Those who run into a lot of difficulties, have different issues at different levels in believing in Master and the Fa.”

He went on to say: “Some people truly have strong faith. However, there are many who are outwardly diligent, and they too seem to have strong faith. However, a person's true thoughts and intentions will never be able to escape the eyes of divine beings.”

The author added, “Some Dafa practitioners in China are very diligent in doing the three things well, despite the looming threat of being arrested and persecuted for clarifying the truth. Yet, they never face any danger. In fact, many of the perpetrators who originally attempted to harm these practitioners, are now secretly protecting them! Divine beings admire these practitioners.”

The article helped me realize that I am a Dafa practitioner, and as such, I should believe in Master and the Fa and conduct myself according to Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.

Cultivation is all about looking within, getting rid of human attachments, and having a kind and selfless heart. As long as a person is even a little bit selfish, it'll be hard for him to be truly kind.

Master Li taught us,

“It is time to make a few remarks on the current methods of work employed by assistance center coordinators in different regions. It is correct to implement the requirements of the Research Society, but you should mind the way you do it. I often say that if all a person wants is the well-being of others and if this is without the slightest personal motivation or personal understanding, what he says will move the listener to tears.” (from “Clearheadedness” in Falun Dafa Essentials for Further Advancement)

Later that afternoon, I noticed a cracked melon sitting outside my neighbor's door, along with cigarette butts and broken glass. So, I decided to swallow my pride, cleaned up the whole mess, including the entire hallway and stairs area. I had no complaints or misgivings, whatsoever.

Master Li said,

“There are reasons behind everything.” (from “The Fourth Talk” in Zhuan Falun)

I thought, “Maybe this is what I owed my neighbor, and she moved in next door to collect her repayment. I must return what I owe her without any conditions attached!”

At that moment, I recalled helping my brother pay for his medical expenses. I really regretted that I worried that he'd never pay me back. I thought, “He was hospitalized and was in a terribly pitiful condition. I should have cared about him and not let him have any added mental burdens. Actually, I should have asked him if he needed help paying his medical bills! Why did I wait for him to ask me for help?” 

I then became very emotional and ashamed at how I had handled the whole thing. I thought: “I should apologize to my brother.”

The next day, I met my neighbor in the hallway. She smiled and greeted me for the first time. She held a garbage bag in her hand and was carrying it towards the trash bin.

A few minutes later, I received a call from my brother. He seemed very happy to talk to me. I knew that this was his way of apologizing for not contacting me for so long.

I realized the warmth that these people felt towards me was due to how I had treated them. My actions were like warm sunshine dispelling the haze in their hearts.

Then I thought, “Being kind to others is truly being kind to yourself!”