I can't believe how much time I have wasted simply by not doing anything. Yes I spoke with a few friends once or twice but I was never able to speak to those I didn't know very well. After sharing some experiences with fellow student practitioners at the past Boston Conference, I was finally able to narrow down the problem ?irrational fear. I kept thinking what people would think of me, that I am "religious" or "weird." I thought they would not understand. These were only excuses for not stepping out. I think creating awareness with those around us is very important. It is definitely easier to introduce Falun Gong to those who know us. At the very least they know that I'm from the same school they go to. So there isn't much of "oh what does this stranger want from me" stuff.

After the conference a fellow student practitioner sent me the student appeal form that a few practitioners have been using to collect student signatures showing support for Falun Gong. Quite differently than what I expected collecting signatures has been a breeze this past four days. Almost everyone I approached agreed to sign and most were very concerned. My fear was totally unfounded. Once I made up my mind to step out, everything has gone smoothly. (The current signature count is around 70.) I have only approached people around me whether it is friends at our grade center, classmates, or just fellow students sitting next to me at assembly or the computer room. The process of asking someone to sign takes only about 30 seconds and it lets him or her at least hear the name of Falun Gong and be able to know a little about what's happening in China.

I talked with the Modern Chinese History teacher and he said I should approach him at the beginning of next year and we could set a time where I could introduce what was happening in China to the class. By chance just chatting with a friend who happened to be an associate editor of the widely read school newspaper the topic of Falun Gong came up. She wanted me to write a guest column for one of the issues. Another friend who is a reporter of the newspaper is going to write a separate article on Falun Gong. With the help of printouts from the web and the Student Appeal form for Falun Gong I have contacted the Amnesty International club at our school and they are going to write letters for Falun Gong. The Multicultural Students Alliance, Women's Issues Group, and Asian Cultural Society have also expressed concern after I contacted them and I don't know yet where that may lead.

I've always been wondering what exactly stepping out means. I think stepping out to those around us and actively seeking help from our communities is at least part of it.