June 8th

Our health is something that we build through our own efforts. What kind of food we eat, what kind of lifestyle we live - these are things that we must decide for ourselves. Making a point to cure any sickness that does occur, or taking ample precautions to avoid falling sick in the first place, are the best ways to enjoy a healthy existence.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
健康は勝ち取っていくものです。何を食べ、どんな生活を送るのか。決めるのは自分自身です。病気を治すなり、病気を防ぐことが第一の健康法なのです。

KENKO WA KACHITOTTE IKU MONO DESU. NANI O TABE, DONNA SEIKATSU O OKURUNOKA. KIMERU NO WA JIBUN JISHIN DESU. BYOKI O NAOSU KOTO NARI, BYOKI O FUSEGU KOTO GA DAI ICHI NO KENKOHO NANO DESU.
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 175)

January 12th

Perspective decides everything. If we have made up our mind to be optimistic, then even though adversities might come our way, we will still be able to go ahead and enjoy the drama of our life and splendidly overcome all hardships. When we throw the window of our heart wide open, we can look up at the blue skies and live in the hope that "Tomorrow is definitely going to be a better day!"

- Daisaku Ikeda
心の置き方ひとつで決まる。「楽観主義で生きよう」と決めれば、逆境も苦難も、人生のドラマを楽しむように、悠々と乗り越えていくことができる。心の窓を大きく開いて、希望の青空を仰いで生きることだ。「明日はきっと、よくなる！」　――と。
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, page 22)

August 12th

How should we live our lives? How should we be of service to the world?

There are nameless individuals in society who may not live in grand homes but are always thinking and working sincerely for the sake of others. Such people, as a matter of course, accumulate the 'treasures of the heart'. Such people experience real happiness in life.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
いかに生きたか。いかに世の中の役に立ったか。無名であっても、立派な家に住んでいなくても、誠実に、人びとのために尽くしていく人こそ、心の財宝を積んでいける。その人こそ、本当の幸福を実感できる。
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 243)

September 15

What does it mean to encourage someone? Is it not the act of pouring the oil of hope into their lives and igniting it into a warm flame? The Chinese characters for encouragement are made up of sub characters that mean "ten thousand" and "efforts". In other words, true encouragement means to pour "ten thousand efforts" from the heart into helping someone stand up.

Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese Text:
"胸中の希望に光を注ぎ、燃えあがらせるものこそ、温かな『励まし』ではないだろうか。「励」ましという文字には「万」の「力」とある。まさに、人々に「万」の「力」をおくるものこそ、心からの「励まし」である。"
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 278)