(MM from Ibaraki Prefecture/60s/Female/ Housewife)
About six months ago, a large lump was found in my thyroid gland and my doctor advised me to get it removed as soon as possible. It was a shocking event for me who had never experienced illness before. Fortunately, there were no subjective symptoms. Therefore, I thought I might avoid the surgery. In addition, the doctor in charge of me was a young one, which made me feel worried and reluctant.
Whether or Not to Consult Another Doctor
He must have sensed this doubt in me. He told me that I could get a second opinion. However, I could not open my heart to my doctor, remaining unfulfilled and dissatisfied with him. I could not get out of the downward spiral. Just when I was in the worst trouble, what resonated in my kokoro the most was the Shinji I saw written on the church calendar.
It said, “Things and events are seen when the emotions reflected in one’s kokoro―not their existences―are perceived.” It was not the doctor but my kokoro that had to be changed. I realized that the cause of my worries was my stubbornness―my inability to rely on my doctor and my family.
My Kokoro Changed When I Felt My Family’s Support
My husband usually works abroad and returns home only a couple of times a year. Therefore, it was always I who had to decide various things, without him being around when I needed him. As for my surgery, although I did talk about it to him, I couldn’t ask him to stay with me and ease my anxiety.
I took the plunge and talked to my daughter, and she accompanied me to the hospital. Then, she said, “That doctor looked you in the eye and listened to you sincerely. I’m sure he is the perfect doctor for you.” “Yes, that’s true,” I agreed. And I began to trust my doctor. My husband also contacted me and said, “I’ll be back home when you have surgery,” and my heart went on to change positively.
I Gained Awareness One After Another Through the Shinji Written on the Church Calendar
“Gratitude is a broad and generous kokoro to accept the present.” This Shinji posted on the church calendar wondrously hit me, too. This brought me to convey my honest feelings to my husband and children, “Thank you for being considerate to me. I should have relied on you more.”
On the day of my surgery, my heart was filled with deep gratitude toward my doctor and my family. After the surgery, the result of the pathological examination showed the lump was benign. And I recovered very steadily. Through this experience, I gained such a lot of awareness that I even thought it was good for me to become ill. My goal is to become able to give a lot of love to my family with a kokoro that Kami has changed for the better.
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
Are you cherishing your encounters with people and deepening gratitude as you interact with them?
The more you acquire this kokoro, the more your kokoro will move guided by your unmei.
Knowing your place and position, your kokoro will be calm, and you will be able to use words that will merge with the other’s kokoro.
The more your kokoro is elevated, the more the kokoro of family members will come together and conversations will increase.
This is the kokoro(condition) that experiences true health.