>Daisaku Ikeda: Ultimately, we are responsible for our own destiny. It may seem to us that our fate is predetermined, whether by our genes or by our environment. What really matters, however, is how we can improve ourselves from this moment forward, how we can change the circumstances that we find ourselves in. This enormous…

>We were all snowcrazed yesterday. It hardly ever snows here so when it snows for more than five minutes we are hysterical.So I took pix and so did a lot of Dutchies yesterday. My dear friend Dr L.Decline sent me the photo of the canal near her house, the Looiersgracht in the beautiful Jordaan. But…

>The table after an hour of heavy snowfall. My white rodondendron waiting for Spring+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++As it has started raining these are probably the last pictures of Dutch snow I took this year.It was beautiful for as long as it lasted.Till next year…… PS It started snowing again………………

> Isn’t this just awesome?The snow is falling in my garden in the city, covering my plum tree and taxus, my holly and bamboo, my Japanese cherry and my ivy, my pear tree, the new crocusses and my daffodils.

> They predicted snow but I was an unbeliever. What I saw on the Internet was that it was going to rain, precipitation they said so I was laughing at every one who claimed: ‘Tomorrow they advice us not to go out’, Hahaha I said, softie. But I know one thing, when ever I do…

>Buddhism in Daily Life If you want to understand the causes that existed in the past, look at the results as they are manifested in the present. And if you want to understand what results will be manifested in the future, look at the causes that exist in the present. From The Writings of Nichiren…

> This is Wilhelmina Drucker, a famous Dutch sufragette. She fought for women’s rights and our right to vote. She also thought in 1893 and alas I still agree with her in 2007 that the Voice of Women was not heard and she started her own magazine Evolution to give women a voice. I am…

> Last week three important people in my life celebrated their birthday.On Monday my dear friend Annemieke had a Ladies Lunch with several of her elegant and beautiful friends. We had salmon on toast, champagne and salads and shared stories of what we considered our most romantic encounter.

>Last week I was empty so empty. I had no energy to write in my log. Didn’t have anything I felt like sharing here with you. Hopefully I will get better at it again this coming week and the next one and the next one.Have been chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for two hours daily which has been…

>What a crazy day today. Did a lot of things but not what I am living for….Writing.