(Minghui.org) After joining the Tian Guo Marching Band in 2016 I had to pass a second-level test before I could play in parades. However, since last fall I hadn't practiced my instrument much, because I was very busy with a Dafa media project. This year, due to the breakout of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) virus, I thought that there wouldn’t be a parade any time soon. Thus, I formed a notion that there was no need to practice.
However, the band coordinator announced that there would be a parade in Prague in July. I began practicing more frequently but there wasn't enough time for me to improve enough to pass the test. I told myself that I would practice hard so I could play in the next parade. At the end of August, the band announced that there was a parade in Vienna. However, I still had no confidence in my playing ability, and didn't want to take the test. I was afraid that I would fail, and I wanted to protect myself.
Then, a fellow practitioner asked me why I hadn't played in the parade in Prague and encouraged me to take the test. I knew this was a reminder from Master. I took the test and passed, but was still hesitant to go to Vienna, because travel limitations between Finland and Austria were still in effect. I would have to self quarantine for 14 days after returning from Vienna, which meant taking time off from work. I was planning on using my vacation time next year to visit my family in Vietnam. So, I had negative thoughts like, “Is it worth it?” Moreover, I'd just started a new job a month ago, and was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to meet the sales goal if I took time off.
Soon another practitioner asked me if I was going to Vienna. It felt like another wake-up call. I realized that I should go, but still couldn't decide what to do. The following day something happened that really helped me make up my mind.
On my way home from work, I felt that our whole city was filled with negative factors. In public areas, no one held the door for the next person because they were afraid of getting the virus. Everyone looked at things with suspicion in their eyes. I had a deeper thought while I was on the train, “All the people here are being poisoned by the CCP. What am I supposed to do here? What should I be doing?”
Master said:
“Clarifying the facts and saving sentient beings are what you need to accomplish. There is nothing else for you to accomplish. There is nothing else in this world that you need to accomplish. Those are the things that you need to work toward, and yet some people no longer pay much attention to even their own cultivation, and have instead made a priority of ordinary things. Haven’t you strayed from the path of Dafa disciples’ cultivation, then?” (“Fa Teaching Given at the 2015 New York Fa Conference”)
Tears filled my eyes and I felt Master’s compassion. Even though I have so many shortcomings in my cultivation, Master continues to give me opportunities to improve. I decided that I would play in the parade in Vienna no matter what.
Later that day I received good news. Three potential customers wanted to make appointments with us. One of them placed a very generous order with us without any prompting. My co-workers all thought it was unbelievable. We didn’t spend much effort and yet easily surpassed our sales goal. I knew that Master helped me, and I was so grateful for Master’s encouragement.
Master said:
“If you have strong righteous thoughts, Gods will help you. If your thoughts are not righteous, you won’t accomplish anything.” (“Fa Teaching at the 2016 New York Fa Conference”, Team Blue Translation)
I realized how important it is to keep a righteous mind about awakening the conscience of sentient beings. I’m really grateful for Master’s compassion. I also want to thank fellow practitioners for their encouragement. Without such help I would not have been able to participate in this year’s parade.
Category: Improving Oneself
