Siobhan Boland, Washington DC Area, Two Rivers Chapter YWD Leader

I was in the first class of Soka University of America, and the SUA Alumni Association, Young Founders, had been invited to join the rest of the Soka Alumni Associations in a gathering at Soka University of Japan. I was broke and temping, but totally determined to go as my personal way of responding to Daisaku Ikeda's expectations.

I asked my father for his frequent flier miles as his job is travel heavy and he usually shares them. For the first time ever he said 'no' and then proceeded to ask what practical benefit the trip would provide me in terms of my job search. Though he wasn't keen on me taking a trip like this while in such dire financial straits, he said to me "I'm sure that if you really want to go you'll find another way." I assured him I would, continued to chant and seek work.

Some time passed and I got a phone call from a friend who is also a benefactor to SUA. She and my mom had been talking, and my struggle came up. Without hesitation, this woman, who had already donated so much to my alma mater to fund the education of students like me, gladly offered me her frequent flyer miles. I did happy dances in the street I was so thrilled to hear the news. I also got an interview for a job that went really well.

I had a few days to myself on the trip so I made a spiritual pilgrimage to the Soka Gakkai Headquarters. Shinanomachi was all a buzz. Literally, thousands of people were coming to the culture centers there to make May contribution. I determined I would participate as well.

A staff person handed me the receipt, holding one end of the receipt in his hands, while I took the other in mine and bowed. As he thanked me in broken English, tears welled up in my eyes and I became overwhelmed with gratitude, feeling that after everything I had been given to go on this trip, that even my donation of 2000 yen mattered. I felt so full.

Later I found an extra 2000 yen in my purse. Because I had so little money on the trip, I was able to make a great cause toward my financial tendencies by budgeting and tracking every yen I had spent, which is why the appearance of 2000 yen is so unexplainable; it was nowhere in my accounting (though I admit I'm terrible at math.)

While in Japan I received an email saying I was one of the final candidates for the position I wanted so much. The interview was the day after I returned from Japan, and it also went very well. I am proud to say that I was offered the job Monday and will begin later this week!

On my pilgrimage, I received guidance about contribution. I was told that to show actual proof with contribution, one should make a clear goal; any amount is fine, but it should be definite. Such clear determination will lead to clear actual proof. The members have taught me that strong determination leads to victory in any endeavor, and that's what I proved to myself in taking a trip halfway around the world with no money. I will continue to pursue my contribution goal diligently in order to repay my debt of gratitude to all the wonderful people of SGI who have taken such great care of me all these years.