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START: Kibby VC rest area, Federal Highway. FINISH: Another rest area -- 36 km away, Federal Highway
Around 30 practitioners walked today. Everyone's hearts can be felt on this walk and it is demonstrated by the constant number of people walking each day. A number of practitioners bring hot food for us for three meals a day plus snacks, and others drive cars, taking photos and videos to record the journey.
A few practitioners drive the car in front and the caravan behind. I feel that they have worked just as hard as we have walked, to prepare the route, the stops etc. and to keep us on time and on track.
This journey has given me a new understanding of being a particle of Dafa. Whatever we do, it is not to be taken lightly. We all have responsibilities in whatever we do and should do our best at all times. As an example, there are always many walkers, but there is no leader. There is no one keeping everyone in line or at the right speed. Yet, someone will always take the responsibility to help others catch up if they fall behind, or politely call out to ask others to move further away from the road. Not one person in particular does this; anyone does it and we all walk together as one particle.
I feel that this is a good example of how we can all work well together. I have learned that I need to do what I need to do of my own accord. I shouldn't have to be asked. I enlightened to this yesterday, when we were stopped by a policeman towards the end of the trip and he walked towards the car to talk to the driver. I have been in contact with the RTA and have good English skills, but it wasn't until someone said to me "can you help him?" that I stopped hesitating and went up and resolved the situation.
The policeman asked who was the organizer and it was easiest to say that I was, because really, nobody was. Even though I was often towards the back of the walk, trying to keep up the pace, I, like everyone else, play an integral part in whatever activity it is.
The whole process of this walk has shown me many things, from the very beginning of the 'planning' to the 'doing' stage. I should not hesitate and I should be clear in what I am doing. The decisions can only be made from the Fa, not from what may seem to be the most appropriate at the time. I am grateful for the opportunity that was placed before me.
A note to add... :) For me, the walk has been quite painful. Yet, each day feels as if it was my first and I am enduring a different kind of pain. I know it is not ordinary pain, because it has disappeared in a very 'unordinary' way the next morning, and something else has surfaced for the new day. Today was no more painful than the last, but it was a different pain and the pain in my leg was so acute that I couldn't stop a few tears from falling. While sending righteous thoughts all afternoon, we walked very fast and finished hr before schedule.
To pop or not to pop... :) I think this one is funny, but it has taught me another lesson, really probably quite obvious:
After reading my 'open letter' about the walk, my brother said to me: "Band-Aids? Kay, you are a practitioner, you shouldn't think that way!" I was grateful for that. I haven't needed or used any band-aids on my blisters, but on the third day, a few practitioners said that it would be much easier to walk if I allowed them to pop my blisters with a needle and release the fluid. Apparently they had all done the same, so I thought, ok. I justified it in my mind by thinking that I still have many days to go, I should be sensible and try this if it will make it easier. (already sounds funny!)
Anyway, the next day, I allowed another to be popped and it actually made it feel more painful. It seems that it may be more of a 'Chinese' cultural thing to do this, as I have never popped a blister to make it more comfortable before. I now understand that any pain I have is a result of my karma and I am grateful for any opportunity to get rid of it -- blisters and all. Really, in terms of the 'big picture,' it is hardly painful at all!
Category: Rallies & Protests
