(HY from Yamaguchi Prefecture/60s/Male/Small Business Owner)
When I married, I asked my wife, “Will you follow me to pursue my dreams?” And she answered saying “Yes.” When my wife was still pregnant with our first child, I went to a vocational school and received my qualifications, and she has supported me throughout my life as I run my beauty salon.
Work Came First for Me; Leaving the Housework to My Wife…
She was too good for me. Even though I loved my wife, I used to put work first. I was preoccupied with running and expanding the store I inherited from my mother. I played the role of a “scary employer” and treated my employees harshly—sometimes holding meetings until the wee hours of the morning and getting back to work by 7 am. While expecting my wife to work as well, I didn’t do any housework or help with the kids. I watched my favorite TV and ate when food was served. I left everything to my wife…that was my 30s.
When I Started Learning at Kyōkai
Living with my parents was also my wife’s wish from the beginning of our marriage. That means living with them for about 30 to 40 years. She said, “If I was suddenly asked to change diapers for mom and dad, I might not be able to do it, but if we live together and fight and laugh like my own parents, I think I will be able to do it.” After saying that, she suggested me to live with my parents instead of living separately as I suggested.
Once she started caring for my father, she was very dedicated. Despite that, I just did what I wanted to do without responding to my wife’s efforts… When I started studying Kami’s teachings at Hikari no Yakata, I began to see myself. My feelings of wanting to give back to my wife for her long years of hard work started to grow inside me. I wanted to be her help, and make her happy.
When I learned the teachings, I started to see the correct way to live, and that alone purified my kokoro. It’s like purifying the kokoro/soul. However, at first, those feelings occurred to me on the day I went to the Hikari no Yakata; after a few days, everything was back to normal. Still, as I kept repeating to realize over and over again, it gradually became more and more persistent.
I’m Happy to See My Wife Smile!
It’s strange because when my kokoro turns to my wife, I can feel if she is tired or not feeling well. On top of that, many words naturally come out of my mouth. For example, “I’ll wash the dishes, So, why don’t you go relax?” “Do you want some coffee?” I was surprised that someone like me, who never did any housework, would say something like this. I’m so happy to see my wife smile saying “Thank you” to me. So it doesn’t bother me at all.
Recently, it has become a daily routine for me to talk to my wife while doing her hair every morning. The two of us talk about various things and are looking forward to finding a way to start each day with a bright.
Changes in the Way I Interact with My Employees
At work, I started to think “I want my employees to be happy with their work,” or “Rather than pointing out their weaknesses, I want to see their good points and help them develop.” I started praising them and giving them careful instructions. When I think about how much they have supported me during a difficult time for the business, or how much they were there for me, I feel a deep sense of gratitude toward each employee. Since I have received so much love, I want to give back in any way I can. My feelings are growing stronger every day.
The Shortcut to Happiness
I was so preoccupied with making my dreams come true (to succeed with work). However, rather than asking people around me to do this or that, the quickest route to success is to face yourself and improve your way of life. Therefore, I hope that I can live a better life today than yesterday, and tomorrow better than today. I would like to cleanse my kokoro with Kami’s teachings and refine it even more.
Kami’s church where Shinkon resides; everyone’s kokoro (life) will be saved through this environment.
Learn the teachings and apply that to how you use your kokoro towards your family, to your relatives, to your friends, and to the people you know.
The feelings will come together, and conversations will deepen, and you can experience the most of what is to live in this world.
When you live by the teachings, your kokoro will shine bright.
Shinji which Kami reveals is “the way to live to be happy.” Because it is an unchanging truth that is common to all people, if you live according to its teachings, your life will definitely change for the better.