(MB from England/Female/40s/Employee at a Golf Country Club)
An employee Christmas party was held at the end of last year. Before the start of the event, the top manager announced the best staff of the year. “There is no one else who deserves this award!” After those words, my name was called.
“It was unanimously decided on you,” one department head whispered into my ear, and was truly delighted with me being awarded. I thought my position was not part of the selection for the best staff member by the company’s regulations. So, it was truly a surprise and such an unexpected reward.
Practicing the Teachings that You Can Do in Your Position
My workplace is a membership-based golf country club. Among the 40 or so employees, I am the only Japanese person. And I am in charge of the accountings. Kami’s teachings are indispensable in my every day. The teaching tells us; “Make the most of your encounters” or “Show a warm interest in the other person”, etc. In my long years living away from my home country of Japan, I have experienced many times that no matter what kind of person you are dealing with, if you have Kami’ s teachings, you will always be able to experience joy.
For example, when we receive an email from a business partner reminding the country club of an unpaid fee. Even if this email is not subjected to personal attacks on me, people generally feel like you are being blamed. However, my kokoro instantly switches gears thinking that collecting money is this person’s job (who sent the email to me), so I should do what I can on my side inside the company to make this payment complete as soon as possible. That’s my job.” This switching gear inside my kokoro is the kind of wonder I experience.
When a colleague helps me, I don’t just say “thank you” but I also add sincere words like; “That was so helpful.” Or when I see that my colleague seems to be overwhelmed, I would ask if they want something to drink, and make them a cup of tea as I offer kigan inside my kokoro. They would say, “Oh that was so delicious!” and I would smile back and say, “It’s made with love.”
Amid days like this, I have had many encounters; Young male staff members who would work hard while smiling and exchanging jokes on a hot summer day or when on a downpouring rainy day. My colleagues who listen to me no matter how busy they are… I am filled with gratitude to the people around me. My body is full of energy, and I haven’t taken a day off due to illness in the last 7 years.
Another Year Full of Gratitude
I told to my husband and to my 14-year-old daughter about this award. My daughter looked at me expressing her pride and joy as if it were her own award. On the other hand, my husband’s first word was, “I am not so surprised.” He continued, “You do what you need to do even in the house.” and congratulated me with the best compliment saying, “Well done!”
Recently, I feel that it is better to have more people you can convey your “thank you” to. This is because it means that there are people who have been involved with my life. More than last year, I want to become a person who can say “thank you” to those around me and elicit “thank you” from others. I can’t stop being excited since the beginning of the year!
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 tell us when you live with the teachings of Kami.
Shinji
When people can accept another person or thing with a sense of gratitude, they are living with the kokoro of hōshi (to give back).
Encounters will further deepen; and have a relationship where they can mutually bring their unmei together and complement one another.
A person who brings good results at work is making the best of their many encounters, and is filled with a kokoro to hōshi (to give back).
When thoughts to accept the other person and be involved with them comes from within you, it produces the conscience to work; and it bring results.