Dark clous loomed across the overcast sky.
Its been raining these few days.
Emo? I guess so.
So mentally drained.
So much things piling up on me: Studies, Family Relationships, Peers.
Exams are coming.
Things are going out of control soon.
I must be strong.
Must not feel depressed anymore. Must not self-pity. Must do something. X)X)X)
When we loose our determination, we must make sure we renew it each day, everytime.
What's important is we do something about our situation and not wallow in self-pity.
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. My turning point will come! I shall work hard now and show acutal proof and start my human revolution!
Gambetter!
Exams are near. Its not an obstacle. Must view this obstacle this exams as an after process thing. so the after process is that i had shown acutal proof and my parents are proud of me. Its time i work hard, and even harder!

I spent $2 for lunch! First time. FULL!

Some advice i come across. Hope it helps. X)
*Act wisely to avoid uneccessary disputes
"Do your homework!"
"Tidy your room!"
"You better go to bed now!"
It is a fact that mothers can be quite annoying.
You cannot help being put off and say, "Stop nagging. I was just about to do so!" Or you msy feel angry that your mother does not seem to understand you. Or you may feel sad that she does trust you enough.
But how should we respond during such instances? SGI President Ikeda advices us in this manner in his "Dialogue on Hope":
" First and foremost, say "Yes, mother! I'll do it!" with a smile. I'm sure when your parents see you responding in this manner, they would have nothing to say. Of course, you may not carry out what you have just said ultimately, but the point here is, act wisely to avoid uneccessary dispute."
You may read this as a mere humour. But herein lies an important lesson on the attitude children should adopt when communicating with their parents.

*Throw Them a Smile Two or Three Times a Day"
Nichiren Daishonin wrote the following in a letter he sent to the seventeen-year-old Nanjo Tokimitsu, who can be said to be a member of the Future Division then:
"Obedience to your parents means that no matter how unreasonable they may become or how venomously they may speak to you, you should not become even slighty angry or look displeased. Nor must you contradict them in the least." [Gosho Zenshu, p1527]
The Daishonin is teaching here that no matter how unreasonable or harsh our parents' words are, we must never become angry or give them an unpleasant look or even rebut them.
The obedience to parents described here does not refer to an outdated expression of filial piety applicable only in the feudalistic Kamakura era. Instead, these words indicate a universal attitude a child should assume towards his or her parents and it transcends any age.
The Daishonin furthur states, " Be always mindful of providing them with their favourite things. If this happens to be impossible to do, then you should at least throw them a smile two or three times a day. [Gosho Zenshu. p1527]
This is a wise lesson that is based on profound insight into the human heart. Parents are happy just to have their children talk to them with a smile. A family where smiles are shared is a warm and loving one.

*Our Struggle Is For Human Revolution to Surmount Our Own Cold-heartedness
In a dissertation titled "Lesson for Youth", Second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda worte: "Today, there are many young people who do not even love their own parents, much less others. Our struggle is for human revolution-- to surmount our own cold-heartedness and develop in ourselves the compassionate state of life of the Buddha."
As President Toda teaches, true faith, true human revolution, is to attain such an expansive and warm state of life as to be able embrace with kindness not only the members of our own family but also people around us.
"First and foremost, say "Yes, mother! I'll do it" with a smile." When you are nagged by your parents, that instant is an opportunity for you to grow. If you can say, "Yes!" and take actions, you will have everything to gain and nothing to lose. By doing so, you grow and mature.

*Cherishing Your Family-- The Proof of Our Faith
There was an occasion when President Ikeda gave this advice to a YWD student member in a senior high school.
"Even after you fall in love and get married, nothing will make a father happier than for his daughter to tell him that she loves him best of all. And for a daughter there is no conduct more fifial. A family where the daughter cherishes her father to the very end is most happy."
These are words of wisdom that will not only make one happy but bring happiness to the entire family. This may seem simple, but without an expansive life state, it is not easy to put into action.
President Ikeda also gave the following advice to a woman member who had family members who are not practising faith:
"It is foolish to quarrel over matters of faith. One should treat a father does not practise wuth even greater care and sincerity, always asking after his health and encouraging him to live long. Becoming a good child, a good spouse-- that is proof of our faith. If we instead let down the people in our family on account of our practice, then what is the point of faith at all?"
We must show actual proofs-- impressing our parents by becoming a more filial child and a better person. This is what faith is all about and this is our struggle for human revolution. Needless to say, this applies even to those whose parents are practising faith.

*Why Did the Door open?
In one of his guidance, President Ikeda intorduced an episode regarding Queen Victoria who reigned during the 19th century, Britain's golden age.
The queen's warm relationship with her consort. Prince Albert is famous. However, on one occasion, Victoria and Albert fell into a bitter argument, and the Prince went to his own room and locked the door. The queen decided she wanted to make-up, and she went to the prince's room and knocked on the door.
"Who's there?" asked the prince.
"The Queen," came the reply.
There was no response and the door remained closed.
The Queen knocked again.
"Who's there?"
"The Queen.Open the door!"
But the door did not open.
This exchange continued, until fianlly the queen realized what she was doing. The next time she was asked "Who is it?" she did not answer, " The queen." She said, "Your wife." And at that instant the door opened.
We do not know if this is a true story, but the anecdote is very perceptive for what it tells us anecdote is very perceptive for what ut tells us about the workings of the human heart. What is about the workings of the human heart. What us important for each to understand and respect the other's position, and then to follow the mutuly agreed upon rules of home.
In this way, we must be considerate with those around us and cherish their feelings. True faith is to be found in paying attention to these subtle ties of huamn emotions.
President Ikeda says, " Steadfast faith does not mean putting on an heroic front. It means possessing the state of life tp show geunine concern and consideration for the situation of others." [Discussion in the Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra]
Only those who can understand their parents as "a follow huamn being" can be said to be a mature adult. [ Dialougue on Hope]
We should come to terms with the fact that it is only natural for concerned parents to nag at their children. But remember that is also the decisive moment for you. If you can cheerfully say "Yes!" you have won in the battle to enrich your own life. It is proof that you have expanded your life state. Let's become people who are considerate of those around us and cherish their feelingd. let's make efforts to understand the feelings of our parents!
[2005 August Creative Life pg 32-35]

Chanting is chemistry, reorganizing structure of molecues. New orientation of moleucue structure will form new things.




All the best everyone for exams!
Life is full of sturggles. Through struggles, we get to overcome them and be stronger and better. Running, walking away or taking the easy route out is just as the same as a coward.
Let's Grow Together!