I Understand Why Falun Dafa Practitioners Persist in Their Beliefs

I Understand Why Falun Dafa Practitioners Persist in Their Beliefs
Li and I work in the same office. She's kind and honest and everyone likes her. However, she was imprisoned and tortured four times because she practices Falun Gong. Brainwashed by the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) propaganda and atheism, I couldn't understand why Li persisted in practicing Falun Gong, and thought she was too stubborn.
One time Li talked to me about Falun Gong and quitting the CCP and its affiliates. I told her, "I know Falun Gong practitioners are good people. Everyone in this office agrees with me and says you are generous and kind but too silly and selfish! Why can't you practice something else? Every time you are imprisoned, how do you suppose your husband and child feel? You are a good person even if you don't practice Falun Gong!"
Li said, "Before I started practicing, I wasn't a criminal but I had a lot of bad thoughts. I often became angry, held grudges, and was materialistic. I just hid these bad characteristics very well. After I learned the teachings of Falun Gong, I knew I couldn't just hide them but had to eliminate them. Teacher gave me a healthy body and rules I can follow with my heart. Whether others can see it or not, practitioners shouldn't have bad thoughts or do bad things. My kindness and generosity come from my Teacher. The pain and suffering my husband and child have to endure is because of the CCP! My family benefits the most from my being a good person, because I am a good mother and a good wife. You as my colleague benefit from my generosity and kindness. If I only cared about being healthy from the practice but not telling people what was happening to Falun Gong, and if I knew trouble was coming but didn't alert people, wouldn't I be selfish?"
I agreed with her but still thought Li took everything too seriously. I tried not to argue with her and agreed to quit the CCP, though I didn't think it would make any difference. In the end, Li told me to recite "Falun Dafa is good," so I would be blessed.
One day at work, I suddenly felt as if I was suffocating and couldn't breathe. I realized that I was having a severe asthma attack and that I would die soon if I didn't get help. There were five people in the office but I called Li with a weak voice. She quickly carried me outside and got me into a taxi to go to the hospital. In the taxi, she held my hand and told me softly yet firmly, "Don't be scared. Recite 'Falun Dafa is good' now and you will be fine." I did. After I recited it twice, I felt better. I continued, and soon I could breathe again. When the taxi parked in front of the hospital, I could get out of the car and walk by myself.
The doctor said my situation was very bad and I was very lucky to be alive. I went home three hours later.
I witnessed the miracle of Falun Dafa. I now understand why, despite the persecution, torture, imprisonment, loss of family and work, and organ harvesting over the past ten years, Falun Gong practitioners have been unwavering in their beliefs and commitment to "clarifying the truth" of the persecution. I know why Li respects her Teacher. I know that the compassionate practitioners are trying to save people when they clarify the truth. They are the most selfless people on earth.
I told my husband and relative my story and how miraculous Falun Dafa is. When my family and I wanted to thank Li, she said, "Thank my Teacher. He saved you."
Here I want to convey my most sincere gratitude to Master Li, who saved my life.
Now everyone who knows about my story is more willing to talk and listen to Li, as if doing so will bring them good fortune.