June 10th

Peace and prosperity within a family does not imply the complete absence of worries or hardships. Even at a time when the worst of storms are raging, as long as the light of the sun is shining brightly, it's alright. A mother is that very light of the sun for the family.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
我が家の平和といっても、苦労や悩みが何もない状態ではない。どんな嵐のような時であっても、家族のなかに太陽が輝いていれば、よいのです。その一家の太陽こそ、お母さんです。

WAGA YA NO HEIWA TO ITTE MO, KURO YA NAYAMI GA NANI MO NAI JOTAI DEWA NAI. DONNA ARASHI NO YO NA TOKI DE ATTE MO, KAZOKU NO NAKA NI TAIYO GA KAGAYAITE IREBA YOI NO DE ARU. SONO IKKA NO TAIYO KOSO, OKASAN DESU.
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 177)

February 14

Human beings do not come into this world by their own power alone.
And they do not grow up into adults all by themselves, either.
Born into a family, nurtured and raised by the family,
we are finally able to stand up on our own feet as individuals.
It is said that husband and wife, parents and children,
brothers and sisters are woven together by invisible bonds.
Bonds, that connect our hearts, are indeed,
the most valuable jewels of any family.

-- Daisaku Ikeda
(Words of Encouragement to Women - 365 days, page 55.)

Japanese text:
NINGEN WA JIBUN HITORI DE UMARETE KURU KOTO WA DEKINAI. MATA KESSHITE, TATTA HITORI DE ICHININMAE NO NINGEN NI NARERU MONO DEMONAI. KAZOKU NO NAKA NI UMARE, KAZOKU NO NAKA DE SODACHI, YAGATE IKKO NO NINGEN TOSHITE SEICHO SHITE IKU. FUFU MO, OYAKO MO, KYODAI SHIMAI MO, ME NI MIENU HITOTSU NO HO-SOKU DE MUSUBARETE IRU TO MO IERU. SONO KOKORO NO KIZUNA KOSO, SHIN NO KAZOKU NO KESSHO DE ARU NI CHIGAINAI.
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, 55 pg.)

April 19th

At home, strive be a good daughter (or wife, mother, sister). At work, strive to become a person whose bright and radiating presence is liked and trusted by all.

-- Daisaku Ikeda
April 19th

Japanese text:
KATEI DEWA YOKI MUSUME TO NARI, SHOKUBA DEWA, MINA NI SHITAWARE, SHINRAI SARERU SONZAI TO NATTE HIKATTE IKU KOTO DA.
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 122)

August 13th

A child's simple greeting can leave a wonderful and lasting impression on our mind and even give us an insight into the parents' personalities. Children grow up absorbing the ambiance of a family.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
おじぎの仕方ひとつで、「いいな。素晴らしいな」と、さわやかな余韻を残し、ご両親の風格までしのばせる人がいるものだ。
家庭にどんな風が吹いているか。子どもはその家風を胸いっぱいに吸い込んで大きくなる。
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 244)

March 20th

I believe that for a family to always be cheerful and healthy, one needs an unceasing stream of ideas and ways to create joy and value out of every-day situations. For example, a beautiful piece of music could transform the home into a lively concert hall; a child's painting could transform the home into an exquisite gallery.

-- Daisaku Ikeda
March 20th

Japanese text:
KATEI GA TSUNE NI AKARUKU KENKO DE ARU TAME NI WA, TAYUMAZARU KACHISOZO GA HITSUYO DA TO OMOU. IKKYOKU NO ONGAKU GA, KATEI O TANOSHI ONGAKUKAIJO NI MO SURUSHI, KODOMO NO EGAITA ICHIMAI NO E GA, KATEI O UTSUKUSHI TENRANKAIJO NI MO SURU.
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, 91 pg.)