About a year ago, a new barbershop opened on the ground floor of the building where I live. One day, the owner hurried toward me. "You must be a Tzu Chi commissioner," she said. "I'm a Tzu Chi member, too. I've often seen you wearing the Tzu Chi commissioner's blue uniform, and I've been eager to get to know you." She then told me the story of how a Tzu Chi sister saved her marriage by inspiring her with Master Cheng Yen's wise words. She had esteemed and trusted Tzu Chi commissioners ever since.

She told me about the miserable life she used to lead. Running a barbershop, she had to devote almost all her energy and time to this competitive profession. As a result, she had very little time left for her husband and child. It was extremely difficult for her to look after her family after a day of hard work.

When her son was in grade school, she arranged for him to stay at a day care center after class. But life became much more difficult when her son entered junior high. Then he became a latchkey kid, spending his afternoons alone in their house. He began to hang out with other kids and picked up bad habits, such as skipping classes, racing motorcycles, gambling and playing pinball. His behavior was a big headache to his mother.

Whenever she received a warning from the school about her son's misconduct, she scolded or beat him. Their relationship became very tense. Her husband did not agree with the way she treated their son, and he often stayed late at the office to avoid the situation at home. The cold attitude of her husband and son hurt her, and she felt helpless and desperate.

When she was just about to collapse, she was introduced to Tzu Chi by one of her friends. She often told Tzu Chi commissioners about her bad relationship with her family, and tears were unavoidable. One day a Tzu Chi member cited Master Cheng Yen: "Behave yourself first even if your son and husband refuse to behave themselves." The words struck her to the bottom of her heart and wiped her anguish away. She then made looking after her family her first priority. She began to speak to her husband and son softly and gently, showing her concern for them.

Several months later, the atmosphere in their home had noticeably changed. They had again found the happiness which had been absent for a long time. Her son's behavior improved, and he studied very hard in preparation for the high school entrance exam.