Some Thoughts Evoked by A Stranger's Helpful Advice

This morning while I was waiting for the traffic light to turn green at an intersection, I suddenly noticed an elderly gentleman standing next to my car. When I rolled down the car window, he told me, "The right-side brake light on your car is not working." I thanked him for alerting me to this problem and wished him good day. He slowly walked back to his car. When the light turned green, we both proceeded.

This one-minute encounter evoked many thoughts in my mind. Germans are always very eager to help others, and they are very serious about everything they do. I am very moved by these qualities. I suddenly realised that, while I was very happy to accept that elderly gentleman's words when he pointed out there was something wrong with my car, I haven't been so happy whenever my fellow practitioners have pointed out my shortcomings. Why do I react differently? I suppose it's because I didn't know the elderly gentleman and I want strangers to be left with a good impression of me. When my fellow practitioners have pointed out my shortcoming, however, I thought they were doing so just to pick on me, so I would always try to find excuses for myself.

Now I realise that what my fellow practitioners have pointed out are my deeply hidden attachments. Since I am hesitant to let them go, I don't want to accept their criticism.

Next time someone points out my mistake, I will thank him or her just as I thanked the elderly gentleman. Even if I can't accept that person's words right away, I will still try to understand it from the Fa (universal law, the teachings in Falun Gong). They're doing this for my own good, and I can't use other people's attitudes towards me as an excuse and miss the opportunity to improve myself.