The human spirit!

Yesterday I was wallowing in self pity because someone made me feel so EXTRA! Then, my not yet 14 yrs old cousin told me something that woke me up from my self indulgence! She told me nobody can put me down except myself! This statement penetrated and create a ripple in my mind and tots! Me as an adult who is more than double her age had to be reminded that I m my own boss and I m in control of my own feelings and determination. No one should be able to dictate my life cos is my life! A friend also reminded what Ikeda Sensei said in a guidance to the young women division (YWD). As YWD, we should not based our happiness on our partners or others. I somehow subscibe to this sayings of "我宁愿人负我，我也不愿我负人！". Just a principle to work with but sometimes is really hard to keep to it! Most of us do not like to be let down by others but we seems to be doing that constantly to people.

Quote the following from words of wisdom by Daisaku Ikeda:

"Ultimately, we are responsible for our own destiny. It may seem to us that our fate is predetermined, whether by our genes or by our environment. What really matters, however, is how we can improve ourselves from this moment forward, how we can change the circumstances that we find ourselves in. This enormous transformative force is what Buddhism is all about. In this struggle lies the source of never-ending youth and vitality."

Somehow I m always able to quote something from Ikeda Sensei that resonates my feeling. In the recent YWD Kenshu which i missed because i had lousy reasons why I cannot attend. The issues discussed is Mentor and Disciple spirit. How can we be worthy disciple of Ikeda Sensei and worthy inheritance of the Soka Gakkai movement and spirit? Sensei is what he is today because he holds his mentor deeply in his heart! His achievement is the achievements for his mentor, someone who changes him to what he is today! If we are determined to achieve something, it is not impossible. Everything is possible if we believe in it or rather we take steps in achieving it. It is no use strategising and talking while doing nothing to bring about the thing. Getting our hands dirty and our feet into the task will create something and move it nearer our goals!

The plants will always face or reach towards the sunlight! This is due to the chemicals called auxins in the plants that ensure they grow towards the sunlight which is greatly needed for photosynthesis. Without the food produced, there is no growth nor survival of the plants. Plants need to grow and they are never stagnant. The stem will grow thicker, the root will grow longer and the leaves will grow bigger too to take in the sunlight! With the stem, we can then determine the age of a trees by reading its rings! The spirit of the plants are undaunting! As the thinking species in the biological system, we should have the same undaunting system. Although we try not to grow around the waist but we should grow in our brain materials through the accumulation of wisdom and knowledge. Our spirit should be the auxins that will propel us to achieve and to reach for the growth and sunlight in our life!

Last sunday, I have also visited the Southern Ridges at the West end of Singapore. It stretches from West Coast Park to Mount Faber and this includes forest walk, hilltop walk etc. Took many photos will put up in a later blog.

Need to get back to revision for tomorrow's paper! The "never say die" human spirit will continue to strive!