(Minghui.org) Last month, my friend Ann asked me if I would be willing to share my story on the Minghui website. It is my pleasure and honor to do so. I want more people to learn about Falun Gong. When I was at the lowest point in my life, my best friend Ann led me to Falun Gong. It has fundamentally changed my life and showed me a bright direction.

In 2012 I was diagnosed with the early stages of bladder cancer. I was in shock and couldn't accept it. No words could express my desperation. I felt like I'd fallen into boundless darkness. I refused to talk to people, until one day Ann called me. I clasped the phone and sobbed uncontrollably.

She rushed over to my house. She cried with me, then she said, “It's my fault. Had I done better, you would not have had to suffer.” My mind was in chaos and I didn't pay much attention to what she said, because I didn't know what she meant.

During that period, I cut down my communications with almost everybody, except my close family members and Ann. I didn't want to go out or do anything. My heart was fretful. Ann came over often, and she often talked to me about Falun Gong. Every time she came, she told me some miraculous stories of people benefiting from practicing Falun Gong. Looking at her radiant and peaceful face, I was moved, and thought about practicing it.

Ann brought me Falun Gong books and the exercise music. But because I was so anxious, I was not able to read the books calmly. I still looked for therapies and tried all kinds of treatments, which didn't help at all. I became more fretful.

Ann said to me, “Why don't you give the exercises a try. It may not only improve your health, but it will also help you to calm down.” I did give it a try. My situation changed gradually.

When I could feel the changes that meditation and exercises brought to me, my mood got better and better. I developed the confidence that I could recover. I also told other people about the meditation's benefits.

Ann brought me the audio recordings of Master Li Hongzhi's lectures (the founder of Falun Gong). I listened to the recordings again and again. It was then that I understood why so many people refuse to give up practicing Falun Gong even under the severe persecution in China. The principles of Falun Gong are Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance, and Falun Gong teaches practitioners how to live in accordance to those principles and how to be good people. Being a good person will not make one lose anything. Instead, the rewards are immeasurable.

I learned that during conflicts with people we should always look inward for our own flaws, and we should always consider others first. I also learned that we should conduct our lives following the course of nature, and not have too many pursuits. I realized that if we understand what real happiness is, we will be able to put down the attachments to reputation and material gain.

After I came to these understandings from Falun Gong, I tried to change my heart. My heart has become more and more calm. Finally, the cancer was gone, and I recovered completely.

Now, I have a different understanding of life. I often tell my friends about my new realizations, and they all agree that I am a different person.

In fact, my whole family has also benefited, as they too appreciate the teachings of Falun Gong. I am so grateful to Master Li Hongzhi for giving us such a wonderful practice.

I have directly benefited from Falun Gong. Looking around, I see so many people who are still suffering physical and mental pain, so much of which is caused by themselves. I want more people to be as fortunate as I – to learn the teachings of Falun Gong and find the real goal of life. As time goes by, this thought of mine has only gotten stronger.

Although I am not a real Falun Gong practitioner yet, I have learned the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance. I will follow these principles, and I believe that I will never get lost again. Now, I have inner peace and I am healthy and happy. These are what Falun Gong has brought to me. I deeply and sincerely thank Master Li Hongzhi.

My name means “plum blossom” in Chinese. I am a plum blossom that has struggled through the severe winter. Under the heavy blanket of snow, I thought I would never emerge again. But I was so fortunate to find Falun Gong. Through the guidance of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance, I have made it through the winter. My illness was a blessing in disguise. I am walking into the spring of a new life.