Yesterday morning I received these two notes from different people. I'm not sure what country the first note is from, but I really appreciate it:
"Thank you for such inspiration! It's when I need it most that you reach out unknowingly and help me.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. "
And this second note is from a new friend in Delhi:
"Its amazing how you encourage so many people across the globe by sharing ur daily experiences.
I am tania from delhi practicing from last 5 years. Keep writing!! All the best in life. "
These emails make me so very happy. You know we all like to think that what we do makes a difference. And I think about you all the time, my blog readers. I wonder what I can say that will inspire you when you feel lost.
I am so lucky. I have great friends in faith who can encourage me. I pick up the phone and call Kate in Los Angeles. I've written about her quite a bit in this blog. I also talk to my friends close by.
We all need a touchstone...someone who will be able to give us that extra insight we need so that we will return to our altars and chant through our tears and determine, once again, to root our the cause of our suffering.
According to Daisaku Ikeda and Nichiren Daishonin the cause of our suffering is the ignorance of not knowing we are Buddhas, of not accessing our power, of not demanding our happiness. So I remind you once more that happiness and Buddhahood are who you are.
This practice is a process of revealing your own beautiful self!
It is not easy but you must persevere for yourself, for those who love you and for all those unnamed people standing behind you waiting for YOU to BREAK THROUGH and open the door so that they can be free also. Do not hesitate. Be strong. Whenever you just don't "feel like chanting" please remember that that feeling comes from the inner part of you that doesn't want you to advance in life. Face it down and say "I will! I will advance! Inner darkness you can't stop me!" Be strong and remember that "A sword will be useless in the hands of a coward." Then return to your altar, your "home" and sit down and pour your heart into your determination to be an example, a shining light for other, that this practice works! Don't give up!
And you are not alone. If you haven't already reached out to your Sokka Gakkai family please do. You can find SGI centers in almost every big city. In these centers are people who are chanting to meet you and encourage you with their lives, and welcome you into their homes. Give them a call! Make their day!
And, as always, I consider it an honor for you to be taking a moment to read my blog. My goal is to inspire you to become the happiest person ever!...brimming with life and enthusiasm...and when challenges hit you, just as they hit me, we forge together, along with President Ikeda to achieve VICTORY in our lives. February is the month of Victory! Let's do it together!
Please continue to write! It warms my heart!
And also, please pass along the url chantforhappiness.com to anyone and everyone. Please share in my vision for people searching the internet to discover the happiness they seek!
