(Minghui.org) I’m in my 70s and I lived alone for the last ten years. Being a capable person since I was a youngster, I thought highly of myself and I developed a hot temper. Never once did I ask for a favor or sweet talk anyone. Even when I knew I did something wrong and I shouldn’t do it again, I never said, “I’m sorry.” My late husband once asked me, “Can’t you just say you’re sorry?” “No,” was my stubborn reply.
Several years ago my apartment was renovated, and the heating pipes were replaced. A worker accidentally broke a water pipe, and a large amount of water gushed out. The father and son living downstairs came up and shouted angrily at the worker. The son argued with the worker and demanded that he pay 5,000 yuan as compensation for the water damage. The worker told him, “I made a mistake and will repair what’s broken or even repaint for you. But I won’t pay you a cent. You can talk to my boss.” I tried to console the son and told him that I would pay for the damage to his belongings. The son did not want to make peace with the worker and threatened to call the police. Seeing that things were getting out of hand, I decided to leave and let the men calm down.
As I walked down the stairs, I looked within, “So much water came out and flooded the downstairs apartment; that was a giant leak (in my cultivation)!” I realized I was attached to self-interest, and to saving face. “I’m this age now but I’ve never apologized to anyone. I need to abide by a higher standard, admit my faults, and apologize.”
I remembered what Master said,
“How could a human being not make mistakes? It is human beings cultivating, so how could they not make mistakes? And yet no one has seen you admit to your mistakes. (Audience laughs) Aren’t you giving away the fact that something is wrong with you? Don’t you have a flaw in your cultivation? From now on I will be watching to see who can admit to their mistakes.” (Teachings at the Conference in Los Angeles)
I knocked on the neighbor’s door the next day. When the son opened it, I said, “Young man, I sincerely apologize; I’m sorry. What happened yesterday was one hundred percent my fault, and I will pay for your losses.” He smiled and said, “Ma’am, there’s no need. I understand that you want to make your apartment a better place to live, and there’s a lot of work to be done. Please remind your workers to be careful and don’t let it happen again.” I thanked him, and we parted on good terms.
I couldn’t believe how easily the problem was resolved. Falun Dafa changed me from someone who never admits her faults to someone who knows how to apologize sincerely. Thank you, Master.
Previously, I never spoke to the young man, and only said Hi to him. After the incident, he became friendly. One time he said, “I heard you cough this morning. You should drink more water at night; it will protect your throat.” Another time, he knocked on my door around 8 p.m. He heard a loud noise from my apartment around 2 p.m. and checked on me, but no one answered. He said, “I was still worried, so I came back to check on you. I’m glad to see that you’re fine.” His goodwill moved me, “You know that I live alone and you’re worried that something might have happened to me and no one was there to help, right? I’m very grateful. Thank you.”
From threatening to call the police on me to being a considerate neighbor, the change happened because I followed the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance that Falun Dafa taught me. I believe the young man befriended me because he has a predestined relationship with Falun Dafa and wants to learn the truth from me. I will clarify the truth to him soon.
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Category: Improving Oneself
