November 12th

Happiness is not a state where things that you desire come to you at once. An absence of difficulties is not happiness either. A pampered attitude that seeks the easy way out is only going to lead to base intentions, an impoverished heart and a self-centered existence. Even if your life right now is straining with sadness and difficulties, look for something to be hopeful about, and try to scale the slope of hardships, one step at a time. Slowly, with your own effort, go on to make your dreams come true. Only people who do this, can savor a profound sense of joy. It is here that our true beauty as human beings finds expression.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese Text:
"欲しいものが、すぐに手に入るのが幸福ではない。悩みがないのが幸福なのではない。甘やかされては、卑しく、心の貧しい、わがままな人間になってしまう。たとえ今は苦しくとも、希望を見つめ、苦労の坂を一歩一歩、上っていく。少しずつ、自分の力で自分の夢を実現していく。その人こそ、本当の深い喜びを知る人である。また、ここに、人間としての美しい人生がある。"
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 339)