(TK from Tokyo Prefecture/20s/Male/ Hair Dresser)
In my high school days, I worked as the president of the student council. Every day was full of fulfillment. But one day, I heard that someone in the other class was talking behind my back and saying that I was being too carried away. I was disappointed of what was being said about me and started to keep my distance from him.
Thanks to My Wake Up Call
Toward the end of my high school life, it occurred to me that the guy who said bad things about me had friends just as I did. Then, I came to think that I could have made friends with him if I hadn’t avoided him. Although I had learned the importance of cherishing each and every encounter through Yūki no Kai, I had been avoiding him―just the opposite from Kami’s teachings. To be honest, I regretted it, but I changed my point of view and took this experience positively―this allowed me to realize an important thing.
Later, when I entered a beauty school, I still felt like I was only with people I was comfortable with. But I was able to stop and think that this is where I’m weak at. Even If I didn’t feel the same way, I tried to treat them as good friends. When I felt misunderstood, I tried to correct them myself.
Then I became able to see the others as nice persons, and they said I was a good guy, too. By the time I graduated, my relationship had expanded to the point where there were zero people I hadn’t talked to before. I discovered that when I have the teachings in my heart, I see others in a different way.
Having the Principles Allows Me to Stay Unconsumed
I came out to Tokyo to become a hairstylist and started to work for a hair salon this month. It takes several years to become a full-fledged professional hairstylist. And I’m still a beginner.
Quite a few of my peers say, “I work so hard, but why am I paid so little?” But I am enjoying it, because I feel grateful that I am able to do a job I like, and to be in contact with people.
When I moved to Tokyo, my father said, “When you are on your own, I will come to get my hair cut.” I thought to myself, “He will miss me a lot.” Feeling the support of my parents in this way, I want to do my best in my career. I’m sure I will meet many customers in the future. My motto is to cherish each and every encounter. I want to be a hairstylist who can make myself smile and my customers smile too.
Heeding the Shinji to Understand the Reasons for the Joys Experienced
Shinji is the universal principle (truth), and can also be the guidance of life that foresees the future. Please feel the wonders of a life that flows exactly in a way the Shinji tells us when you live with the teachings of Kami.
Shinji
For better or for worse, life keeps growing and creating its flow as encounters are accumulated.
Knowing the truth of life, what you must do now is to live seeking good encounters.
Practice the teachings each time when you call out to and interact with your families, relatives, friends, and acquaintances.
The teachings that Kami reveals are principles, which foster the kokoro to deepen your encounters with people and things.
Therefore, learn and acquire the teachings, and strive to be a person with the kokoro of love.
Your encounters will increasingly deepen and broaden, bringing out the kokoro to live to give back.
Human beings will become persons(existence) that can contribute to society when they attain and deepen good encounters.