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.)

August 16th

The bridge that connects dreams to reality is effort. Hard working people are always bubbling with hope, because hope is born from effort.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
夢と現実を結ぶ橋は努力である。努力する人には希望がわいてくる。希望とは、努力から生まれる。
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 247)

April 28th

Look forward. Never back.
For what lies ahead of you,
is a life full of hope, victory and glory.

-- Daisaku Ikeda

April 28th

Japanese text:
MAE O MIYO
USHIRO O MIRU NA
MAE NI WA
KIBO TO SHORI TO EIKO NO JINSEI GA ARU


(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 131)

March 7th

Be strong!
Be strong!
Hope is like the sun, rising on a victorious future.
Being happy, is after all, our right.

-- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
TSUYOKU ARE!
TSUYOKU ARE!
KIBO WA MIRAI NO SHORI NO KYOKUJITSU
KOFUKU WA JIBUN JISHIN NO KENRI NARI
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, 78 pg.)

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)