(KI from Aichi Prefecture/20s/Female/Caregiver)
When I was 20 years old, my family was on the verge of breaking up. My parents were under so much stress and even thought about divorce. I seriously thought that my family would soon all be going their separate ways. So, my next thought was, “I have to do my best to protect my younger brother.” And I studied hard at university to become a caregiver.
I wanted to work at a hospital someday because I once suffered a chronic illness. However, just as I found studying difficult and wanted to run away, I suddenly lost all motivation when I realized that there were no jobs available at hospitals. I ended up going to nightclubs and never returned home, racking up debts and dropping out of university. I don’t care if my parents worry or cry. Because no matter what I do, my parents will just warn me, “Don’t do that” or “Do this.” They never tried to even understand how I truly feel…
I Want to Change If I Can
My parents thought about putting me in an institution because I was becoming unmanageable. This is something the counselor I met at that time said to me. “Are you sure it’s okay to stay like this?” Of course not! I know I am doing things wrong, but I don’t know what to do… My mother was the one who stood by me as I cried and screamed, feeling frustrated and sad. I want to change if there is a way! I poured out my thoughts, and my kokoro, which had hit rock bottom, finally started to move forward.
My parents accompanied me and we went to Hikari no Yakata together. When I heard at a class that Shinji Kyōkai is a place for the salvation of the soul, I felt hopeful, thinking that maybe my heart could be saved, too. As I repeatedly spoke to Kami through kigan about my thoughts and learned the teachings, my kokoro became more and more stable.
Because My Parents Supported Me
Last fall, I was introduced to a caregiving job at a hospital. I’m happy to be able to pursue the path I originally wanted to pursue, but what makes me the happiest is that my parents supported what I wanted to do.
I have experience in being hospitalized, so I understand how patients feel. I hope that by greeting them cheerfully or calling out to them, they will smile and want to do their best to recover. I can’t help but enjoy working every day with the desire to help. Now, more than half a year has passed, and everyone loves me so much that when I take a few days off, they would say, “We missed you!”
Family is Your Best Friend
When I go home and say, “This is what happened today,” my parents listen intently. When I am worried, they are the first ones I consult with. I can’t believe there was a time I used to think that there was no point in telling my parents. Even if work is hard or I don’t like something, my parents will accept me when I get home, which is very reassuring. My family, who I can talk to about anything, is my best ally and a friend.
I realize now that my parents must have gone through some tough times. However, after learning the teachings and working hard, they are now a good couple. I have a dream of one day being like my parents and building a happy family. I’m grateful for the existence of my family who understand me, and I want to move forward even if it is one step at a time.
From the mother
I pushed my daughter into a corner because of our marital problems, but I didn’t realize that at the time and caused her to suffer. The family would have been broken apart.
It was because of Kami’ s teachings that we were able to unite our scattered kokoro and become a family where we could talk about anything. Thanks to Kami, I was able to continue my efforts in the right direction. My husband and I aim to cultivate more love for our families and become parents who can be relied on no matter what. I would like to be the best ally in supporting the efforts of the children no matter what comes before them.
Finding the Principle Behind the Story from Shinji
Learn the teachings with the family, and making the effort as a family to live by the principles will make a family environment where love gets fostered.
In a harmonious family environment is where human beings get to know the kokoro of love; grow to become a kokoro (life) who returns the love (favor) back to society by living by the principles.
Shinji that Kami reveals are a teaching on how to live life in order to be happy. Because it is an unchanging principle that relates to all people, if you live according to the teachings, your life will definitely change for the better.