A Winning Life! Benefits Everywhere!

Benjamin Silver with his 8th Place Medal

Ben is such an example of the pure Buddhist 

Never Give Up spirit!

Today he placed 8th in Illinois' State Track Meet...after being injured all season and fighting back to run two races to qualify for state...then rocking the competition. 

Ben runs the 3200 meter (2 mile) race. 

He qualified to run in the slower heat (slower race) of the state meet. Here's how it works: he runs as fast as he can...and if his time is faster than the time of anyone in the top nine of the faster heat...then he gets a medal. 

Watching his heat was amazing...we had about 100 of us in the stands screaming "SILVER SILVER SILVER" for him. He could hear us all...we were going crazy! Suddenly he broke away from the pack and came in first with no one even close behind him...you can only imagine how thrilling that was!

Then we had to wait until the next heat...about an hour later...and see if his time beat any of the top nine from that heat. 

It did! 

He came in 8th in the state. 

Wonderful!

This has been a great few months for Ben. He's graduating. He has a girlfriend. He got a scholarship to college. He chants with me as often as he can...and on Wednesday night, in preparation for my moving out, and for him going away to college~ he received his Omomori Gohonzon. It's a smaller version of the Gohonzon I chant to...a portable one...perfect for a dorm room. Aaron, his brother has one too. 

Ben made a powerful cause by accepting the Gohonzon this week!

And he triumphed! 

Go Ben!

Go YOU!!! Achieve YOUR dreams and become incredibly happy! Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

Whoohoo More great and wonderful benefits!

Aaron and ben just after Ben's race!

 Today, May 28th, 2011 
My son
Benjamin Lee Silver got a medal in the 3200 meter race at the Illinois State Track Meet!!


After a season of injury...he totally blew us away today. 


8th place in Illinois is a major achievement! 
We are one of the fastest (maybe THE fastest) running state in the whole country. 


This was a fabulous way for Ben to end his High School Running Career!!! This fall he starts at Miami University of Ohio on a running scholarship he earned with all his hard work and determination!

Ben and me

Ben is on the left!!!

One Week Until Moving Day ...so many benefits!

Wow. 
The fact that I am moving in one week really blows my mind. 
AND the fact that I can sleep at night and I'm not going through intense anxiety is even more outstanding. It really shows the power of chanting! 
When I first began wanting to change my life, and realized that although I love the man I married, we are not meant to stay together....well.. my biggest fear was "Where am I going to go? ANd how can I live on my own?" 
Now, I know tons of people support themselves and live on their own, but I never have. I've either lived at home, in the dorm at college, again at home, then with my husband. 


And for the past two years I have been chanting to:


Raise my life condition


Strengthen my life on the inside


I've VOWED to win in all areas of my life...health...finances...friendships...and for the members of my district...readers of my blog....and all people in the world to realize their inner potential and light the flame of happiness in their lives. 


I have chanted from my deepest desires all this time...for deep, fun...love and happiness and for a career I  love. 


And the results are:


I am happier than I have ever been...even though my Buddha boys are launching their lives and, in a sense, leaving me behind. But that's a process of life! I have to be happy for the incredible men they are....I have to trust them as I always have and watch them shine. I am healthy...pain free...and have a job where I am making a real difference in people's lives. I have the dream to be a published author and reach everyone who is looking for this practice...because I looked for it for so long myself! I have many dreams....and I am watching all of them come true! 


Remember...chant what is in your heart and trust yourself!!!


Yesterday I chanted to connect with all the right people for the sake of my students...and I had the most fun on the phone setting up lively appointments! I set up a room at a hotel for Ben's state race this weekend and the sweet woman knocked $20 off my bill because I was so darn happy. Seriously. 
Your happiness affects the world! Only you can draw the deepest happiness from your life! I believe in you!! You can do it! If I can do it so can you!!! 

Really connecting to my Prayer

What does it mean to connect with your prayer? How do you know that you are maximizing the power within your life when you chant? 


If you've been reading my blog you know what you are thinking as you're chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is very important. In the moment you are chanting you HAVE THE POWER to change your own karma...to affect the causes you are making at every second of every day and to truly make your dreams come true. According to Buddhism the purpose of life is HAPPINESS! And you can claim yours every time you chant!


How? 


First of all chant to deepen your prayer...and to have the kinds of benefits that PROVE the power of the Gohonzon...in other words PROVE the power of your own life and prayer. 


Make a list of what you want and REMEMBER you are not asking anyone or anything for anything...you are VOWING to become happy! You are VOWING to achieve your dreams...you are VOWING to show actual proof so that those around you can become happy too. We are ALL INTERCONNECTED. When I win in life...all those around me win too. Look at your own life and you know this to be true. When you are happy, aren't those around you happy too? And it goes deeper than that...we are interconnected in the web of life...all of life is strengthened when you are strengthened. 


Studying the words of Nichiren Daishonin and Daisaku Ikeda are essential to learn how to apply the principles of Buddhism. I am indebted to them!


I view my life as the prow of a huge ship. When I make the causes to be happy...I am chanting for the entire ship behind me to be changed by my prayer...all living being to be made more happy through my prayer!


I look at my life right now...I am so steady and so strong. My relationships are incredible...I make new friends every day. I am healthy and my children are too. 
 This could be a horrible time for me. My youngest child is graduating High School. I could be mired in depression and despair. And I am certain, that if I did not chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo I would be miserable. I just think of my sweet mother. By the time my sister and I were graduating High School my Mom was at an all-time low. She had gained so much weight you could barely see her eyes. She was in a failed marriage...was feeling so unloved...and was watching her girls leave the nest. When my Dad announced he was divorcing her during my freshman year of college I was almost relieved. I knew her life had to change. (And it did...for the better) In a way he saved her life at that point. She didn't have a Gohonzon or know about chanting. I was not to find Buddhism until I was 25, and Mom began chanting the minute she saw my life getting stronger! She chanted for the rest of her life. 


Instead of suffering like my Mom did...I have the Gohonzon and fierce determination to help the members of my district and the readers of this blog become happier than they (YOU!) ever believed possible. I have a new thin body, a new pain-free hip, a new job, a new job, a fun dating life, and in a few days I will have my first apartment all by myself. My husband and I are amicably divorcing...and I chant for his happiness and appreciate our partnership in raising our boys, and we know our time together in a marriage is ending. My life is beginning again at the age of 50 and I am happier than ever. Every day I chant to see the causes I am making right now and to make the best causes for my happiness and the happiness of others. When I chant I vow deep in my heart to connect with Daisaku Ikeda and to show appreciation for his 50 year leadership of the SGI with my life. (sgi-usa.org)


I am truly happier, less depressed, less anxious than I have ever been. 
The future is bright for us all!!!!! 


That's actual proof!


Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!!!!

A Rising Tide Raises all Boats!

It's a great metaphor, isn't it? 


That's what Kosen Rufu is, that's what building fortune in your life really is~ all of us on the water...all of us rising vibtrationally towards a happier and happier and more and more fortunate life TOGETHER! 


What is the true meaning of "Fortune".? It's the circumstances you create in your life that MONEY CAN'T BUY~! Don't get me wrong, I am not anti-money, no. But fortune rises beyond money. It comes from consistently making good causes at every moment...in your thoughts, in your actions...and in chanting consistent Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!


Check this out:


Last night my son Ben, (the one in the prom picture of a few posts back) ~ last night was the qualifying race for the state track meet. It's a big deal. His first race was last week because he's had an injury all season, and been working out like a fiend to keep his heart rate up, even when he couldn't run! Well, last night he ran the two mile in his best time ever, and next Saturday he will be in the state track meet. This is something he has been working towards for the last four years...and he has accomplished the goal! GETTING to state is HUGE!!! Of course it will be great if he medals, and he possibly can, but getting there is very important for him. In the fall he starts his freshman year at Miami of Ohio on a running scholarship! 


This is fortune. YES. 


He has chanted for it, and worked towards it for his whole running career. 


What else is fortune? The fact that I told myself I wanted to stay living together as a family until Ben graduated from High School, and I am officially moving into my own apartment the day after he graduates. It's a really cool place with a pool and a hot tub and clubhouse. I'm excited, thrilled and of course...a little wowed...my first time living on my own! The rental market is red hot in this area...the housing market is in free fall and people don't want to buy. And I found exactly what I want, where I want it! That's fortune. Chanting Nam Myoho REnge Kyo affects your environment (ie finding the perfect apartment...having happy kids...) because we are CONNECTED to our environment...NOT separate. Every cause we make, every Nam Myoho Renge Kyo we chant makes a difference...creating FORTUNE in out lives! 

Everyday Access to the Universe Within

Everyday I access the highest power possible...the one that is right within my life. Chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo allows me to tap into this power for the good of all. I chant the name of the rhythm of life itself...that is why all of life responds to my chanting. 


I chant for my own happiness, of course, and I spend a lot of time focusing on prayers for people around me whom I see struggling. I picture their faces as I last saw them...and as I am chanting I see their grin widen...and their eyes start to sparkle and I hold them in my prayer in a happy state. Sometimes they are people I know well, other times, especially now that I have a new job...I chant for people I am just beginning to get to know...and I am certain that my prayer is going to touch their lives. 


I am seeing changes at my new job...things are lightening up...there is a BUDDHA there! Things HAVE to lighten up, I am going to watch my place of employment soar with happiness. I am determined to bring my light to shine. It can be no other way. That's WHO I AM, and every day I spread more and more joy. That's the true beauty of the process of Kosen Rufu (world peace through the dignity and power of each person). When I chant for the happiness of others, and smile, and glow... I cannot keep this happiness from myself. 


Two weeks from today I will receive keys to my new apartment and begin a life that is different from the life I have known these past 30 years. And three days later...my youngest son will graduate from High School. What exciting times! What a time to keep digging deeper into my life to unearth the diamonds there...to let my light shine...to enjoy my new life...new job...new friends.  


I am chanting every day to realize with every cell in my being, that I am worthy of love...I am worthy of EVERYTHING that I desire...and I shall make it so!


And so can you!!! Chant for exactly what you want. And if you don't feel you deserve it...chant to CHANGE that feeling once and for all. Chant to know your own worth...for YOU, my dear friend...and a BUDDHA too!!!

What a Great Life ~ Ben and Sarah ~ Prom 2011!

Here's my youngest Buddha boy making all his dreams come true...he has a lovely girlfriend...he's graduating from High School on June 3rd...and he has a running scholarship to Miami of Ohio university....
Everything is possible when you chant!