I have to say that I haven’t been quite this happy for quite a long time. Being happy is not something that we can take for granted, problems can derail our happiness at any time. But we can take steps to ensure that we are aware of the causes and take steps to resolve and correct the effects.
Sensei summed it up perfectly …
Buddhism teaches that we are each responsible for our own happiness or unhappiness. Our vitality—the amount of energy or “life-force” we have—is in fact the single most important factor in determining whether or not we are happy.
True happiness is to be found within, in the state of our hearts. It does not exist on the far side of some distant mountains. It is within you, yourself. However much you try, you can never run away from yourself. And if you are weak, suffering will follow you wherever you go.
You will never find happiness if you don’t challenge your weaknesses and change yourself from within.
So if you are happy with life at present, be mindful of where that happiness comes from. If you are unhappy, challenge the causes of that unhappiness and make the changes you need to make.
One of the many aims of Nichiren Buddhism is to smooth out the emotional highs and lows in life. through right thinking. However, one of the most difficult things to do, personally speaking, is to remain in a constant life-state when confronted by the highs and lows of life.
Sometimes, we find ourselves in situations, or potential situations, were we are a little unsure of what the outcome may be.
Well it’s taken a whole week to get here, but finally Friday has arrived again. I know we should fill every minute, of every day, with sixty seconds of gainful employment, but doing that doesn’t stop me being pleased that, arguably, the best day of the week has put in a much appreciated appearance at last.
When we practice gongyo and chant daimoku before the Gohonzon, the good and evil capacities of our lives begin to function as the exalted form of fundamental existence.
A Buddhist scripture states that “the voice does the Buddha’s work.” The voice has the power to convey one’s compassion for another. 
It may seem to be a strange thing to say, but our happiness, or otherwise, is actually a choice we make for ourselves. It’s basically tied to the way we view the challenges that life throws at us.
As you all know by now, I’ve been on this fitness regime since May last year, and it’s been going really well. I’m keeping my weight around 12 stone and I feel terrific, but it’s so easy to get back into bad habits and undo some of the hard work.
The Search For Enlightenment 
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