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)

May 7th

Rather than chasing after money and fame, it is far more valuable for human beings to pursue learning. No matter how famous a person may be, unless they have an attitude to learn, it is hard for anyone to respect them. On the other hand, those who spend their entire lives educating themselves, deserve our highest respect and admiration.

-- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
お金や栄養を得ることよりも、人間として大事なのは、学ぶことです。いくら有名人でも、学ぶ心にない人は尊敬できません。一生涯学び続けるーその人を尊敬すべきです。

OKANE YA EIYO O ERU KOTO YORI MO, NINGEN TOSHITE ICHIBAN DAIJI NO WA, MANABU KOTO DESU. IKURA YUMEIJIN DE MO, MANABU KOKORO NO NAI HITO WA SONKEI DEKIMASEN. ISSHOGAI, MANABI TUZUKERU - SONO HITO O SONKEI SUBEKI DESU.
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 142)

May 1st

As each day turns into another, let it be a fresh departure point for us to build a new, improved self. With each heaving new breath of life, let us feel like we are born once again, and dash forward to the best of our ability. Let us set the pace to enjoy a satisfactory today and determine to make giant strides tomorrow.

-- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:

日々新たにして日に日に新たなりー

今日も生まれ変わった生命の息吹で

全力で走りゆくことだ

今日の満足と、明日への飛躍とー

HIBI ARATANISHITE HI NI HI NI ARATA NARI--

KYO MO UMAREKAWATTA SEIMEI NO IBUKI DE

ZENRYOKU DE HASHIRI YUKU KOTO DA

KYO NO MANZOKU TO, ASU E NO HIYAKU TO --

(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 136)

October 23

A person who is always striving to grow is beautiful. In this journey called life, the point at which we stop our feet from moving forwards is the beginning of the end. As long as we are alive let us strive to grow even a little higher, even a little deeper and even a little broader than who we are.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese Text:
"伸びようとしている人は美しい。人生という旅は、足を止めてしまえば、そこが終点である。生きているかぎり、より高く、より深く、
広い何かを求めて、進歩していきたい。"
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 318)

August 7th

Young people have truly unlimited potential.
There is nothing that can stop them from growing as much as they wish to.
Everything is decided by the kind of resolve people have in their hearts.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
青年は無限の可能性を秘めている。
いくらでも成長していける。
すべては自分自身の心、一念で決まる。
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 238)

June 30th

A good environment builds a good individual. Those who proactively seek out a positive environment and good human relations, can grow to an unlimited extent.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
よい環境はよい人間をつくる。自ら、そうしたよい環境、
よい人間のつながりを求めていく人は、かぎりなく伸びていける。

(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 197)

March 11th

I wonder if there is anything attractive or satisfying about evading our own growth and development, and simply indulging in the pleasures of the moment.

In fact, women who constantly focus on their development and make efforts to grow, are the ones who glow with radiance, no matter what phase of life they may be passing through.

-- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
JIKO NO SEICHO O NEGAWAZU, MESAKI NO TANOSHIMI DAKE O OIMOTOMERU JINSEI NO, DOKO GA KOFUKU DE AROU KA.
[SEICHO SHIYO] TO DORYOKU SURU JOSEI WA, JINSEI NO DONNA TOKI O MO, SAIKO NI
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, 82 pg.)