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I am a regular reader of Epoch Times, a widely circulated and popular Chinese newspaper in Canada. On the tenth anniversary of The Epoch Times, I recall with pleasure how much I have benefited from reading this newspaper regularly and the important role it played in my personal life.
We are Chinese immigrants in Canada who left China in pursuit of freedom, democracy and a better life. We run a business selling groceries, fruit and vegetables, in Chinatown. Our family consists of parents-in-law, two children, my husband and me. It is a closely bonded family, working happily together. During our initial days in Canada we had to work very hard to establish our business.
After several years of hard work, our business flourished. We bought a supermarket to expand the business, and bought a house and cars. Our life style improved significantly.
Heavy work at our business and house chores took most of my time that I was unable to show much care and support to my husband. I also never paid attention to his emotional needs, without realizing that this neglect could lead him astray. My husband started to spend the nights out.
Sometimes he did not come home for several nights. He was constantly fretful at me and the children, and the household was no longer harmonious. Sometimes, money from our bank accounts would disappear.
One fine day six years back, my husband took most of our savings and left me for another woman.
This was a serious blow to me and I was deeply hurt. But I had to continue with my work to support the family. Fortunately my parents-in-law, my uncle and the employees supported me well and helped me to move on.
With so much internal pain, my health was affected. I suffered from all kinds of illnesses, insomnia, headache, stomach pain, weight loss, etc. My friends advised me to make a clean break with my husband, which I was not able to accept. Five painful years passed this way.
It was at this crucial period of my life that I started reading The Epoch Times, the Chinese newspaper which was distributed to my store regularly. In addition to varied news items of the world, the paper has a column on the Chinese culture of ancient wisdom and values. I started reading this column with great interest as it had a healing effect on my wounded heart.
One article was about a priest who expressed forgiveness to the murderer of his son, in public during the funeral, saying as long as he realized his guilt he can start a new life. I understood the message of this story. It speaks about the wisdom of tolerance. Without tolerance, there can be no forgiveness. Forgiveness saves one from bitter resentment.
I understand that tolerance is a traditional Chinese virtue. Tolerance is the ability to be kind to others, make allowance for the mistakes of others and guide them with virtue. As long as one has kindness, one will know how to forgive, even those who deeply hurt one. This column helped me to untie the knots in my heart.
Through reading these articles in The Epoch Times and reflecting, I understood that hatred is not the path for the future. One thought of tolerance can change everything.
I began to learn to let go of my hatred, and was willing to forgive my husband. Thinking of the pain and joy of the hard work we did together, my resentment reduced. I believed that he must still love our kids, his parents and the family. He was only distracted with some extra money and could not resist the temptation.
I also believed that a relationship built on money and lust will not last long. I believed that he will return home!
Sure enough, on a cold night last year, my husband came home accompanied by some friends. He had opened a small restaurant in another city and the business was not going well. He had been in a car accident which almost disabled him. The other woman took this opportunity to take the rest of the money and left my husband while he was in the hospital.
My husband was suddenly awakened to the truth and realized the loyalty of his wife who went through all the ups and downs with him. With the advice of his friends, he came back with apologies and regrets.
Thanks to The Epoch Times, which inspired me to have tolerance and forgiveness, I was ready to welcome and embrace my husband without resentment. Since then we work together to cherish our marriage and rebuilt our relationships to be better than ever.
I would like to thank The Epoch Times for helping us re-unite. Hereby I send my warmest congratulations to the tenth anniversary of the most widely distributed Chinese newspaper in Canada.
Read the original Chinese article.
