There was a man, at his middle age, who’ve achieved a fair foundation of family and occupation in his life. However, he still thought that his life is empty, lost his direction. Soon, it got worsened and he went to see a doctor.

After hearing what he’s got to say, the doctor commented “I’ll give you several medications!”

The doctor asked the nurse to prepare four packs of medicine and put it in a bag. The doctor then explained “On the next day, 9 in the morning, get yourself to the beach without any newspaper, magazines or radio. When you’re at the beach, take the medicine on 9 am, 12pm, 3pm, and 5pm sharp. Hopefully you’ll be recovering then.”

That man could believe everything the doctor said. Yet, he did take himself to the beach for a walk in the morning. Looking at the calming sea, his emotion was beginning to get calmed as well.

On 9, he took the first package out and was ready to take the medicine until he realized, that there wasn’t any pill at all. But there’s a note that says “Listen attentively”.

Yet, he followed as it says, sat down quietly and listened to the breeze, the waves, and he could even hear his heartbeat like an orchestral music piece that merged perfectly with the nature. It’s been a long time since he last enjoyed his life this way. It was indeed, refreshing.

At noon, he opened the second package and there was another note that says “Memory”. He walked himself to the land of memory, taking himself back to his carefree childhood. Soon, it reminded him of his journey while we chased after his goals in life. He could remember his parents’ kindness, his siblings, and friends. The very energy of his passion re-ignites right over there.

On 3pm, he began unpacking the third package, this time, it was a note about ‘Review your motives’. He recalled himself starting his very first business that aimed to help the people. It was a long time ago, long enough to see that he was still a very passionate young man. Unfortunately, the passion faded as his business became successful. When profit became the new goal, his joy left. Profit had blinded him from caring others. He finally realized a little something here.

When the sun began setting, he opened up the last package. ‘Write your agony on the beach’. He walked towards the sea, picked up a tree branch and began writing ‘agony’… As the wave hits on the beach, his ‘agony’ went by and the sand appeared flat again.

What kind of person is that man?

Have you known anyone like that?

The ‘medication’ namely ‘Listen attentively, memory, review your motives, and write your agony on the beach’, what exactly is the meaning of such ‘medication’ given by the doctor to that man?

How should you explain these four medications?

When would you actually listen attentively to yourself?

When was the last time you did that?

When would you set loose of yourself in your memory?

When would you review your motives?

What was the very first intention of yours to take the current occupation?

What kind of agony do you have?

How do you let go of your agony?

What makes the man in the story to have his passion to be re-ignited from those memories of his?

To you, what is the power and passion of your life?

How long have you lost such passion and power?

What could possibly be the reason that has made you lose the power and passion?

What is the message you get from the story after all this self-questioning session?


Postscript:

Please do not think that you’re the poorest or the one who’ve got the hardest life. Do not question yourself “What should my life be in such hardship?” This could only lead you complaining about your life. Human are always attached by troubles and problems that may stop us from advancing. No matter what kind of challenge it may be, what we must do is to exert the very potential that we possess and to live through it right at the position we’re being in! We begin our own destiny with the power that we possess!

That man in the story seemed to get numb with his life, losing the great passion he once had. We’d read Ikeda Sensei’s guidance and encouragement, but how many of us would actually put it to action and review what we’ve done? I believe not much could do that! We might think that we’ve been so busy solving every matter in our life, where could we possibly find more time to review and think about ourselves? When the organization’s activities became an inevitable duty, when we’ve forgotten the very origin and purpose, we’re then further and further away from our mentor. What’s the purpose we join? What’s the reason we stay? Is it an occupation to be a JD PIC now? Only you’ll know the answers.

A disciple’s victory is the mentor’s victory. Ikeda Sensei has spent all his life, proving the nobleness of Toda Sensei. What about us? Our mentor is so noble that, even the people from outside the organization would study about him and awarded him Honorary Doctorate. Could we feel our Sensei’s heart? If Ikeda Sensei could exert the very best of himself for more than 50 years for the sake of his mentor, why couldn’t we? When we could maintain the origin between mentor and disciple, not forgetting out mentors, all hardship would be defeated with new solutions.

When we have a life, why not live joyfully? When we could contribute, let’s create more value together in the organization. Whereas if we carry an attitude that treat things merely as a compulsory duty or complaints, our days would only be in Grey. Hence, let’s live graciously together, creating more value with our life!

Turn sorrow into energy, widen up our hearts and be wiser. You’re in hardship because it’s your chance to grow and advance. Lift up your head! We could be the proud victors in life when we strive through every single challenge. Persistence challenge would not lead you to a dead end. When you’re falling, start to encourage yourself and create hopes!

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