(Minghui.org) With the Chinese New Year just around the corner, Falun Dafa practitioners in Houston held celebratory activities in Memorial Park in Sugarland on January 31, 2021. They did the exercises and took a group photo to wish the founder of the practice, Master Li Hongzhi, a Happy Chinese New Year.

Falun Dafa practitioners in Houston wish Master Li a Happy Chinese New Year.

Young practitioners in Houston wish Master Li a Happy New Year.

Practitioners do the fifth Falun Dafa exercise, the sitting meditation.

Several practitioners took the opportunity to share their stories of how practicing Falun Dafa positively changed their lives.

Elevation of Spirit

Ms. Tang recalled what drew her to Falun Dafa. “My mother’s ailments that had plagued her for two decades disappeared after she started to practice in 2006. She often told us that Falun Dafa was amazing and encouraged us to practice it. I was working in a restaurant then and had kids to take care of. I only occasionally read Zhuan Falun,” she said.

Ms. Tang doing the sitting meditation

Ms. Tang said, “Several days before my birthday in November 2010, I lay in bed and started thinking. I didn’t lack anything in my life—I had money and a house but I was unhappy. I often felt as if I were searching for something. I thought about my mother's positive changes after she practiced Falun Dafa. I suddenly understood what cultivation is and why I should be a practitioner.

“I began to put the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance that Falun Dafa teaches into practice in my daily life. I started to think of others and stopped complaining. I regard every challenge as a way for me to improve my character. My husband said, ‘In the past, whenever we had an argument, I was always the one who apologized. Since you’ve been practicing Falun Dafa, you can say you’re sorry. Dafa is truly wonderful!’ Now, even if my husband criticizes me, I can forgive him. When I let go of resentment, I realized how good it felt. Practicing Falun Dafa is great!”

Significant Health Benefits

Ms. Bao is Ms. Tang’s mother. She's now in her 80s and has practiced Falun Dafa for 14 years. She said, “I have not taken a single pill since I took up the practice. Master purified my body several times. I used to ache all over. I exercised frequently hoping to keep fit but still my health did not improve. After practicing Falun Dafa, my body went through a great transformation and I became healthy.”

One time, she had a fall while she was outside handing out Dafa information. The brochures were scattered everywhere. She recalled the incident and said, “I only had one thought then: ‘I am fine.’ And indeed that was the case. I’ve felt wonderful ever since I began practicing Falun Dafa. Some practitioners comment that I have as much energy as a young person, and I participate in many activities to clarify the truth.”

Wisdom Unlocked

Ms. Wang started to practice in the fall of 2008 when she was in China. “I worked as a bookkeeper for an overseas company at that time. My co-worker introduced me to the practice. My heart was moved. Soon after, the co-worker gave me the main book Zhuan Falun and I started to practice.

“My mother was in poor health. After she had a stroke in 2002, she began to suffer from the after-effects. Her reflexes kept getting slower and her limbs were not as agile. Her mouth was crooked, her eyes were wrinkled, and she drooled. My colleague suggested that my mother sincerely recite 'Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.' My mother repeated the phrases with me. Soon after, something astonishing happened. She stopped drooling, and her mouth and eyes were normal again. Her limbs became nimble and her reflexes were especially quick. It was such a huge change, it was truly amazing! Words cannot express the gratitude my mother and I felt. The Master of Falun Dafa gave my mother a new lease on life.”

Ms. Wang said she was grateful to Master. “Not only did Falun Dafa improve my physical and mental well being, my wisdom was unlocked as well. I sat for a national accountants' exam just as I began to practice Dafa. This was not an easy thing. Through reading Zhuan Falun, I knew that I should treat the exam seriously. What was different this time was that I was not anxious. As I prepared for the exam, I found that I could grasp the concepts better. I successfully passed the test. I knew my wisdom came from Dafa. I would not have done it if I went along with my usual way of thinking and fixed notions. Dafa unlocked my wisdom and strengthened my faith.

“Falun Dafa is good. It is sacred. I hope people don’t miss the opportunity to practice it. Thank you, Master!”