Cheryl Lim Hui Qi
Young Women Division
I’m a fortune baby and since young, my brother and I would follow our parents to attend SGS activities. I graduated in 2020 during the peak of the Covid-19 period, and finding a job proved very challenging. It was only in April 2021 that I started my first full-time job. Being a small company, employees had to manage multiple roles. The learning curve was steep, and I could not catch up. It eventually triggered my anxiety and caused frequent panic attacks. I had several breakdowns in the middle of my work, and after about a month and a half, I had to resign.
In my eagerness to get a job, I fell victim to a job scam, which caused me to lose a large sum of money. I was in shock and disbelief that I could fall for such a scam. I couldn’t eat or sleep for many days. My parents were so worried that they brought me to the doctor. I was eventually hospitalised and diagnosed with psychotic depression as I was hallucinating and hearing negative voices that weren’t there.
When I was in the hospital, my parents would chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo many hours a day. It was difficult for me to chant, and I was easily frustrated. However, Daimoku was the only thing I could turn to then, and I would chant in my heart at nightto go home soon. Finally, after a week, I was discharged.
While recuperating at home, I wouldread Ikeda Sensei’s books to keep myself occupied and hopeful. Then, I came across this guidance that gave me tremendous hope:
“Those who experience the greatest suffering will come to attain the greatest happiness. Never forget that happiness is a flower that blossoms from the earth of patient endurance…. Those who don’t let anything defeat them are victors. In particular, those who lead undefeated lives, following through on the beliefs that they vowed to uphold in their youth, are the strongest and most admirable of all.”
With the encouragement and support from my family and friends, I mustered the courage to look for a job again. I found a job as a clinic assistant. As there was always a long queue of patients, it was challenging to maintain a high life condition all the time, and my manager would take out her frustrations on me. However, I faced the situation head-on and did not succumb to depression this time round. My parents and I chanted together with the prayer for me to find a suitable job where I can manifest my fullest potential.
Subsequently, I found a new job and was confirmed after a week. I have been in this job for more than a year. The conducive working environment with helpful colleagues and a good boss allow me to develop my potential without the fear that I cannot meet expectations.
I have a close friend who went through this challenging phase of my life together with me. I have shared Nichiren Buddhism with her previously, but she did not take up the practice. When she saw me going through this health challenge without giving up and even manage to return to my usual optimistic, cheerful self, she started to chant.
I am determined to participate more actively in SGS activities and deepen my faith to encourage the people around me. I am also determined to win each day and continue to exert my utmost to prove the power of the Mystic Law.
(Adapted from March 2023 issue of Creative Times)
