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 24th

Being too influenced by how the world is perceiving us or concerning ourselves only with the outward aspect of things, will make us feel unsettled and forever in a state of anxiety. This way we will only be lead astray from our orbit. Unable to move forwards, we will find ourselves complaining "what bad luck" or hopelessly worrying "oh no, what do I do now?" Instead, let us firmly grasp the handle of our inner selves and move everything in the direction of hope, happiness.


- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese Text:
世間体や表面的な次元にとらわれた生き方では、いつまでたっても安心感は得られない。いつも何かに左右され、軸がなくなってしまう。すると、「困った」「どうしよう」と、グルグル回っているだけで前へ進まず、愚痴や心配が絶えなくなってしまう。そうではなく、一念のハンドルによって、すべてを希望の方向へ、幸福の方向へ、力強く回転させていくことだ。
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, 33 pg.)

December 27

No matter how we spend it, a day is a day and a lifetime is a lifetime. Grumbling discontentedly about how painful, boring or dull our life is, only turns out to be our own loss. There is nothing of value to be gained from such thinking.

How about steering the rudder of our hearts in the direction of finding and creating joy wherever we are, and in opening up the path to our own development and happiness.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese Text:
"どのように過ごしても一日は一日、一生は一生である。何かあるたびに、これはいやだ、つまらない、おもしろくない、と不平不満にとらわれては損であるし、価値がない。どこに行っても、そこで楽しみをつくり、成長と喜びの道を開いていく。つねに、そういう方向へ自身の心の舵をとっていくことが大事である。"
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 386)

October 29

Since we have this live to lead, it works to our advantage if we enjoy the journey to the fullest. If we are going to do a certain job anyways, it is to our advantage if we enjoy doing it. Instead of painting our days gray or enveloping ourselves in complaints or do things out of a sense of obligation, I think it is definitely much more value-creating to experience a feeling of joy and positivity in what we do.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese Text:
"同じ一生であるならば、喜んで生きたほうが得である。同じ行動するなら、喜んで行動したほうが価値的である。愚癡や義務感で日々を灰色に覆うよりも、喜びを創り出していこうとする生き方のほうが、より創造的である。"
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 324)