Do What You Say You Will Do
by Master Lee Feng San Shifu
Translated by Sophia Lui
Edited by Ric Meyers
People often ask me, “Shifu, why is that when you say you will do something, you always carry out your word? How do you manage that?” My reply: “Is it that hard? Actually everyone can do it. First, hold kind thoughts; second, always be humble; third, never cease taking action!”
During spring, at the beginning of each year, we need to create an atmosphere of “growth” and “development.” Growth means continuous regeneration. The ancient medical book Su Wen says: “We must foster life and not destroy it, give and not take, reward and not punish.” This is the best way to welcome spring.
“To foster life and not to destroy it” means that regardless of whether we are dealing with people, things, or events we should have the mindset of cherishing and encouraging one another. We should put into practice the principle of “when we help others grow, we also grow ourselves.”
“To give and not to take” means that, especially in spring, we should cultivate the habit of “giving.” And when winter arrives, it will be our turn to “receive.”
So what should we give? This refers to giving on our part, and not to expect it from others, which is the best way to sow our efforts.
“To reward and not to punish” means to work on rewarding others and not on punishing them. If we resort to punishment at every turn, the result is that we will fall short of being a fully virtuous person.
If we fall short of being fully virtuous, we cannot enter the Way, let alone keep ourselves in good health. If our luck has not been good, it will only get worse. However, if we can “foster life and not destroy it, give and not take, reward and not punish,” then good luck will get even better and bad luck will turn good.
In short, we should stay joyful in spring. At this time, changes in heaven and earth are becoming more manifest, and the joining of their yin and yang energy generates the return of life. We should, therefore, also cooperate with each other, seize opportunities, create our own circumstances, and become one with the universe.
“Hold kind thoughts, do not cease to take action; be modest always; do what you say you will do.” — Lee Feng San Shifu
