Question:
Everytime when I've determined to work hard on my studies, it seemed hard to maintain the effort. What should I do?



Answer:

It's always easy to determine and to decide on something, but it's hard to maintain the effort to keep on challenging towards our aim. I bet this is usual for most of the student : remember the time when you decided that you want to focus on your study? But when you got a call from your friend asking you out, or when you heard something from the television, you'd leave your books without even touching them. Isn't it?

"I know I can't do this, but...." do you think this way when you got attracted by temptations? But Ikeda Sensei once said "Nothing to worry, most of us behaved that way. However, it is considered an proof of improvement even to determine an aim". "Even if we give a small effort everyday, as days go by, a little by a little, we still gain something. The point is, what we gained will be equivalent to the effort we've shown." "Those who can keep on determining an aim, are people with endurance."

Are you feeling better after hearing what Ikeda Sensei has said? Thus, I hope everyone of you can keep on determining your aims, even if you're only making a small baby step, never be afraid to make that first move. We'll gained something when we've given our effort. But of course, we'd need time and we may also encounter challenges on our way. At this very moment, we could have a dialogue with a trusted elder or friend, or we could read some of Sensei's guidance to boost ourselves up.

Even though we couldn't maintain our effort on an aim, to set an aim and determine a goal, it's already a step of improvement. This spirit of challenging will lighten up our lives. And when the people around you could see your spirit, they'd be your shoten zejin to help and encourage you too.

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