February 5th

It is vital for parents and family members to understand the onset of adolescence and its unique characteristics. It is especially important to listen carefully to what a child says. Accept them the way they are - unconditionally. Create an atmosphere where they can feel comfortable and be themselves. I would suggest that along with making such efforts, that you prepare yourself mentally to brave through this inevitable and challenging period in a child's life with courage and do your best in your interaction with them.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese Text:
親や周囲が、思春期の特徴をよく理解することだ。子どもの言うことをよく聞いてあげる。子どもをありのまま受け入れる。
さらに子どもがほっとする居心地のいい家庭をつくる。そういう努力をはらいながら、思春期は勇気をもって耐える期間であると受け止めて、接していってはどうだろうか。

January 22

A good friend is like a text book, like a magnet that pulls you along towards the ideal.

-- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
YOKI YUJIN WA, ANATA NO KYOKASHO TO NARI, ANATA O RISO E TO HIPATTE KURERU JISHAKU TO NARO.
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, 31 pg.)

January 16

No matter how busy you might be each day, I would like you to never forget to have the breadth of heart to be able to catch those words of compliant that may just be about to leave you, and replace them with a warm smile and words of praise and appreciation for your family members or others around.

-- Daisaku Ikeda
(Words of Encouragement to Women - 365 days)

Japanese text:

DONNA NI ISOGASHII MAINICHI DE ATTE MO, KUCHIMOTO NI DESO NI NARU GUCHI ONIKKORI TO EGAO NI KAE,KAZOKU YA SHUI NO HITO O HOMETATTAETE IKEYO NA KOKORO NO YUTORI WO NAKUSANAI DE HOSHI. (Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi)

January 1st

Just like the moon becomes fuller and more brilliant (as it gradually moves from west to east), and just like the oceans swell up minute by minute, hour by hour (with every approaching tide), I pray that we may together be able to live every single day and every single year expanding and developing our unlimited potential.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
皓々と輝きを増し満ちゆく月の如く、また、刻々とみなぎりゆく大海原の潮の如く、一日一日、そして一年一年と、かぎりなく向上し、成長していける人生を、ともどもに歩みたい。
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, page 10)

July 4th

It is said that the face of the Statue of Liberty in New York, was modeled after it's creator Bartholdi's mother. It may well be that Bartholdi wanted to give some expression to the gratitude he felt towards his mother for having raised him through the thick and thin of difficulties. For a child, the most beautiful and noble face in the world is perhaps none other than that of their own mother. You might agree with me that the desire to live up to a mother's expectation is an inborn desire, deeply wired into our beings.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:

ニューヨークの「自由の女神」の顔は、作者バトルディのお母さんがモデルであるといわれている。苦労して自分を育ててくれた母　―　彼は感謝の思いを、形にしたかったのかもしれない。また、子どもにとって、母の顔はいちばん美しく、尊いものなのかもしれない。母の恩に応えたい　―　そうした思いを、本来、誰しも、生命の奥底にもっている

(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 203)