Encouragement

I don't usually do this type of thing, but this reading touched me today as I sat down to do my morning chanting/meditation. I just wanted to share.

"Death will come to each of us some day. We can die having fought hard for our beliefs and convictions, or we can die having failed to do so. Since the reality of death is the same in either case, isn't it far better that we set out on our journey toward the next existence in high spirits and with a bright smile on our faces, knowing that in everything we did, we did the very best we could, thrilling with the sense "That was truly an interesting life"?"

From For Today and Tomorrow, Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda, President of Soka Gakkai International (www.sgi-usa.org)

Comments: 12

Cena W. Jun 4, 2006, 1:29pm EDT

This is an excellent reminder to never give up and keep working at "it."

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HGM Moya Goatley Jun 4, 2006, 1:30pm EDT

The optimist and the pessimist take the same path. The optimist's journey is jollier by far. Moya

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Martha Jette, Author/Editor Jun 4, 2006, 2:24pm EDT

This is an excellent reading. Thanks for sharing.

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Nathan Schauer Jun 4, 2006, 7:00pm EDT

I agree with Shawn here. The Undead are more frightening than the reality of death. Being alive every moment, seems the best path rather than a path to anywhere or from anywhere.

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Suzanne Wheatley Jun 5, 2006, 1:08am EDT

Thanks for sharing, what great reminder!
Love & peace,

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Peter M. Jun 6, 2006, 3:20pm EDT

Thanks for sharing this! As Shawn said, it is the not-alive that are scary because they always want to control the realities of all people... the real life is the one lived along a true path.

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0000-janedoe-0000 Jun 10, 2006, 1:45am EDT

This perked me right up. I think it's a great way to live life.

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George McNaughton Jun 10, 2006, 11:42pm EDT

Well, if the atheists are right and there is no hereafter -- they will never know they are right. So I guess the best hedge is to die with a smile on your face dreaming of heaven -- that way you will either drop off into oblivion thinking "how cool!" or you wake up finding the dream was true.

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Linda Douglas Jun 11, 2006, 8:09am EDT

That's right, George. No matter what our belief is about what comes next it is always best to live this life to the fullest. If this life is all we have, why waste it? If another life awaits us, then it is my belief that how we end this one dictates how the next one will begin. I want to end and begin on a positive note.

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Comments: 12

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