(Minghui.org) After my husband began to work the night shift, I could no longer join the local group to study the Fa teachings together. This had a huge impact on me, especially on my cultivation.
The group Fa-study format Master has left us is important, because it helps us to remain diligent both as individual practitioners and as a group. That is how we can improve as one body. About a year and a half ago, my husband began to work the night shift. Because we have two children I have to take care of, I was no longer able to join the weekly group Fa-study. This directly affected me and my cultivation.
My time is very tight. At 6 a.m., I need to wake up the children and take them to kindergarten. Then I go to work. After work, I pick up the children and do the shopping, household chores, cook, put the children to bed, and prepare my husband's food for the night shift. All that takes me at least 16 hours. The remaining eight hours are for me to do the three things practitioners are supposed to do and sleep.
Then, I changed jobs. Soon after, I noticed that it took more effort for me to do the three things. At first, I thought it was because my new job was so demanding. I had to contact exhibitors, hold meetings, and arrange for all kinds of different activities. This affected me every day, as requirements were higher, both physically and mentally.
Six months passed, and I was exhausted. It was very difficult to do the three things. Getting up in the morning became difficult, and fatigue often bothered me at night. I had to study the Fa while taking my children to kindergarten or on my two-and-a-half hour drive to work. But the results were limited since I could not concentrate.
I decided to study the Fa after sending forth righteous thoughts. I spent less and less time doing the exercises. This made me unable to get up to send forth righteous thoughts in the morning or to effectively translate articles for the Minghui website. Sometimes it took me up to two weeks to finish translating one article. When Shen Yun came to my city, I had to coordinate ticket sales and make arrangements for practitioners to fill those spots. That meant I could not join the Minghui team's group Fa study, and my cultivation slacked off.
I would like to emphasize the importance of group Fa study with the Minghui team. Since joining it six months ago, I have felt the positive changes it has brought about in me. Fa-study and the discussion with practitioners that follows motivate me and give me energy. The next morning, I can always get up early, thinking about what we shared. This strengthens my righteous thoughts since it places me in the Fa and has helped me realize the importance of group Fa-study.
Master has told us about the importance of studying the Fa as a group. Even though we cannot study together face to face, I have felt the power of our studying together even online, something I did not feel during the local group Fa-study.
In the past six months, I have learned how precious our group Fa-study is—it is beyond description.
I still need to do better. My understanding is that any problem we encounter is an opportunity for us to improve our xinxing. I've decided to put in more effort, let go of human notions, and make the best use of my time.
Local practitioners are now discussing switching our local group Fa-study time to weekends. This would allow my husband and me to participate.
Thank you, Master, for your compassion every day. Thank you, fellow practitioners, for awakening me to areas where I have slacked off and not done well.
In my heart, I have a strong wish to become a determined member of the Minghui team and to support it. When I left the group environment, I witnessed many undesirable things. Now I know that I need to cherish our group Fa-study. I admire practitioners' collective efforts to support this project, and it is my honor to participate in it.
(Presented at the Minghui’s 20th Anniversary Fa Conference-selected and edited)
