I know...Sometimes You Just have to KEEP HAVING HOPE

I know sometimes it's hard. Sometimes it's difficult for me too. We chant and take action and some benefits just take much longer than others. I know!

But please do not stop and do not doubt! Chant to overcome your own disbelief! 

When you are diligently persevering, studying, chanting, introducing others to this practice ~ the benefit is DEFINITELY on it's way. Please do not doubt, and do not stop chanting.

At times like this it's really useful to remember a few of those key Gosho quotes and inscribe them deep with our lives:

"Be diligent in developing your faith until the last moment of your life. Otherwise you will have regrets. For example, the journey from Kamakura to Kyoto takes twelve days. If you travel for eleven but stop on the twelfth, how can you admire the moon over the capitol?"

From Letter to Niike, by Nichiren Daishonin

And:

"To discard the shallow and seek the profound requires courage." 

From "On the Buddha's Prophesy" by Nichiren Daishonin

Please have profound respect for your own incredible life and remember that the journey you are on is most respectworthy. Please respect and honor your life. Chant to PRAISE YOUR LIFE! I know I say this over and over again, but it is SOOOO important. It is so easy for us to forget how noble we are, and how we shine like brilliant Buddhas to the very core. The purpose of our practice is to recognize and shine this brilliant diamond every single day. 

It is who we are. Brilliant. Sparkling. Noble. Deserving. Don't let anyone tell you anything different. 

You are Purifying your Life! 

"The function of fire is to burn and give light. The function of water is to wash away filth. The wind blows away dust and breathes life into plants, animals and human beings. The earth nourishes the grasses and trees, and heaven provides nourishing moisture. Myoho Renge Kyo too works in all these ways. It is the cluster of blessings brought by the Boddhisatvas of the Earth." 

YOU are the Boddhisatva of the Earth. We ALL ARE! GO YOU!

From Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life by Nichiren Daishonin

Turn your Karma into MISSION!!!! True Happiness every moment!

I had to show this picture one more time....this is a photo of my sons getting to know their grandfather for the first time EVER. I chanted for a long time to have this wonderful man, Eli, be found...and to become part of the family again after almost 50 years. And here he is! Actual Proof!! Daimoku Works!!!




What does it mean to turn 
Karma into mission?


Take Your Deepest Desires and Accomplish Them!


Let me give you an example.


Say you have something you are trying to change. One day you think "YES ~ I CAN CHANGE THIS!!!", then the next day you are discouraged and feel hopeless again. If you can recognize the hopelessness for what it is ~ a negative function in your life seeking to hold you back, then you can elevate your understanding of every single challenge that you face.


As some of you know, my husband of many years and I are in the process of splitting up. We have 
raised two great children together and it's time for us to move on. I don't see it as a failure...but really as a victory since we are both headed towards more compatible relationships. I chant for his happiness and deeply desire it for him. I know we will always be friends....


AND...Right now...my deepest wish (among others) is to love and be loved. I want to feel REALLY cherished. I want to have the kind of love I sometimes see in other couples. When I was on my cruise I met two couples who inspired me right down to my toes. I could feel their love for each other...I could see the admiration in their eyes, and most of all, I could see the real pleasure they got in making each other feel good! THAT'S what I want! Nothing less!


And whenever I start to get that feeling of hopelessness, I turn it around in a few seconds by realizing...THIS IS MY MISSION. I VOW in front of the Gohonzon that I will have this kind of love, and not just for myself. I MUST have this kind of love because I need to inspire my district, my blog readers...I NEED TO MOVE THE UNIVERSE with my prayer. EVERYONE DESERVES THIS!!!
And everyone CAN HAVE IT. I'm in the process of proving it.


Then ~ how can I be unhappy? I know victory is certain. I have proven the power of this Gohonzon 
(in other words - the power of my own life ~ over and over....) I can do it again!!! I will do it again.
I chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo! I have so many victories to shout from the rooftops! This will be one more of them....


And remember  - if it's easy ~ then it isn't the kind of karma I'm talking about! Everyone has things that are easy...things you can master quickly...and everyone has things that are "stuck"! THAT's the kind of karma I'm talking about.
And you, yes YOU have the power within you through chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo...studying the writings of Nichiren Daishonin and Daisaku Ikeda, going to SGI meetings, and telling people about this practice....if you do those things....YOU WILL WIN!!!! NO DOUBT!!!