(KS from Shizuoka Prefecture/50s/Male/Employee at an IT Firm)
Last fall, I was unexpectedly informed that I was being demoted. I had been in a managerial position since I was 35, but now, at 57, I was being demoted to a general position. I didn’t know the reasons behind it, and just couldn’t accept it. “They have no idea how much I’ve supported them!” I also began to feel frustrated with the directors. I lost motivation and became apathetic.
In retrospect, I started working at 18. It was no easy feat for someone with no computer knowledge to qualify as an information processing engineer. I’ve been working frantically for nearly 40 years since then. I was always expected to produce results, and I’d struggled here and there, and failed here and there, but I’d always worked so hard. And yet… My former subordinates had become my superiors, and I now had to cringe. My salary had also been drastically reduced. The way people around me looked at me had changed, and I felt helpless.
Reflecting Myself
Day after day, I offered kigan about my sufferings and continued to learn the teachings. As I did so, I began to see that it was my personality that demanded perfection from my superiors. I would think, “As a superior, it’s only natural that they should be able to do this.” However, I also wondered why I was blaming them. Then, although I was blaming them for not recognizing me, I began to wonder, “How much did I recognize my staff when I was their boss?” Profits are vital in sales. At the time, I was constantly worried about the future. I found myself asking my subordinates for more and more. But when I realized that my boss might be feeling the same way, I gradually began to calm down. Then, I realized, “I can’t keep feeling like this. I want to do my job with a sense of fulfillment,” and I began to learn more about Kami’s teachings than ever before.
When your True Feelings are Conveyed to your Family…
I also started making an effort to talk to my family about work. At first, I could only speak in bits and pieces. But as I continued, I eventually started having deeper conversations. They would say things like, “We are here because of your hard work,” and “When you retire, why don’t you try doing what you want to do?” They would tell me all sorts of things. I was so happy to realize wife and children have always been watching out for me—I have a family that cares about me.
Start by Making the Most of My Strengths
One day, I started to wonder what my strengths are. I’m sensitive, but I don’t slack off, and I’m good at listening to people’s feelings and keeping them motivated. So I decided to make use of those strengths! Once I made that decision, the idea that I worked to be recognized by others faded away.
I take the time to talk to my staff. “Thanks for your help yesterday.” Just saying something as trivial as that brings a smile to their faces and changes the atmosphere in the office. I’ve come to feel an indescribable joy in such small things.
Before I knew it, my opinions were miraculously being adopted within the company. I also heard comments like, “Has something happened? You seem lively lately,” from people in other departments. I no longer obsess over my title or the amount of my salary. I no longer feel the need to keep a distance from my superiors, and now I feel like I want to support them if they need anything.
Making Efforts to Spread the Circle of Smiles!
When I think about it, I have been able to work for 40 years, even though I don’t have much physical strength. That alone makes me feel grateful. There are many things I was able to realize only because of my demotion. I don’t know how much it has enriched my way of life. I will continue to do my best to do what I can to bring smiles to the faces of those around me.
Shinji
Work—is a result (thing) that comes when you give back the strength of your unmei to society, and mutually make the most out of the myriad encounters.
The more you live life sustained by the teachings, human beings can be free from being captivated by greed; hence, become someone who contributes the strength of their unmei to society.
People who have gained true meaning and purpose will have their life (kokoro) protected in the hands of Kami, and live having hopes and dreams.
The Shinji revealed by Kami are teachings on how to live a happy life. Because they are universal truths that apply to everyone, if you live by these teachings, your life will surely improve.