「『あきらめ』は脳のブレーキ」 ～池田先生の希望対話 Vol.8～｜創価学会公式

Here is a message from Daisaku Ikeda excerpted from the book "Dialogues of Hope." The theme for this article is "What does it mean to be intelligent?" What does it mean when people talk about "smart people"? Intelligence includes "memory" and "thinking ability." It also includes "creativity" and "originality." It also includes "understanding" and "expression." The brain contains the talent to draw and the talent to make people laugh. Naturally, it also contains the talent to get along with others, the talent to be considerate of others, and of course, talent in sports and music. Everyone is different, and everyone is a "genius" in some way. This is called a "mission." Everyone has their own unique mission that only they can fulfill. "How big is the difference between being smart and being dumb?" My mentor, Josei Toda, picked up a brush and quickly drew a line on a sheet of paper. "The difference is only about as great as the difference between 'above' and 'below' this line." What is this difference of "one line"? There are many ways to describe it, but it could also be the spirit of challenge: "Let's give it a try!" In fact, everyone forgets, but up until now, you have already made the "impossible" into the "possible." You couldn't do anything when you were born, but look how much you can accomplish now! The first time you laughed. The first time you stood up. The first time you spoke. The first time you sat down at your desk. Those are actually "amazing" things. Each cell in the human brain (cerebral cortex) is connected by cords called "nerve fibers," creating a complex "network" within the brain. However, this brain's "network" is not connected from the beginning. You "connect" it with your own power. Babies change constantly because new neural cords grow in their brains, and cells connect one after another, like plugging a plug into an electrical outlet. It's the same for you. It's the moment when you work hard at something new and think, "I did it!" It's the moment when you're studying and think, "I get it!" That's the moment when your brain's electrical outlet connects. By repeating this process, the circuit becomes thicker. The more you use your brain, the stronger your brain's "communication network" becomes. So what is the brain's biggest enemy? It's giving up and saying, "It's no good!" When you think, "It's no good," it puts the brakes on your brain. If you give up, even though your brain is trying so hard to extend its cords, the "no good" signal gets in the way and it doesn't connect to the essential outlet. In conclusion, a "smart person" is someone who "never gives up." Instead of running away from things they don't understand, they are people who "attack" with the determination to "understand no matter what." Your parents and teachers might scold you for saying this, but I think it's okay if you work hard and your grades still don't improve. What's more important than temporary results is developing the "habit of trying hard." This is because it's about developing the "habit" of giving your all, whether it's studying or anything else. If you develop the "habit" of using all your potential, you will gradually gain more "power." This video is an excerpt and recitation from "First Semester Chapter: What kind of person is smart? There are no 'bad people'." from "Daisaku Ikeda's Dialogues of Hope: For You Who Will Live in the 21st Century" (Published by Seikyo Shimbun Publishing Bureau, March 16, 2007). Click here for details about the book: https://bookstore.seikyoonline.com/it... ------------------------------------------------- ◆Future Dialogue Ikeda Sensei's Future Dialogue Vol. 1 "When others are happy, you are happy too."    • 「相手が喜べば 自分も楽しい」～池田先生の未来対話 Vol.1～｜創価学会公式   Ikeda Sensei's Future Dialogue Vol. 2 "It's never too late to study."    • 「勉強に『手遅れだ』は絶対にない」～池田先生の未来対話 Vol.２～   Ikeda Sensei's Future Dialogue Vol. 3 "If you have a desire to improve, you will not fail in your career."    • 「向上する心があれば 進路に失敗はない」～池田先生の未来対話 Vol.３～｜創価学会公式   Ikeda Sensei's Future Dialogue Vol. 4 "Hope is "A little too big is just right."    • 「望みは 大きすぎるくらいでちょうどよい」～池田先生の未来対話 Vol.４～｜創価学会公式   ◆Youth Dialogues Ikeda Sensei's Youth Dialogues Vol. 1 "Don't give up on yourself."    • 「自分で自分をあきらめるな」～池田先生の青春対話 Vol.1～｜創価学会公式   Ikeda Sensei's Youth Dialogues Vol. 2 "Everyone has a hidden gem."    • 「誰もが宝石を秘めている」～池田先生の青春対話 Vol.2～｜創価学会公式   Ikeda Sensei's Youth Dialogues Vol. 3 "Getting a job is the first step to discovering yourself."    • 「就職は自分を発掘するための第一歩」～池田先生の青春対話 Vol.3～｜創価学会公式   Ikeda Sensei's Youth Dialogues Vol. 4 "You "The Sun of the Family"    • 「君が 一家の太陽」～池田先生の青春対話 Vol.4～｜創価学会公式   ◆Hope Dialogues Ikeda Sensei's Hope Dialogue Vol. 1 "There are no weaknesses that cannot be turned into advantages"    • 「長所にならない短所はない」～池田先生の希望対話 Vol.1～｜創価学会公式   Ikeda Sensei's Hope Dialogue Vol. 2 "A courageous person is one who takes a step forward even when trembling"    • 「ふるえながらでも『一歩前へ出る人』が『勇気ある人』」～池田先生の希望対話 Vol....   Ikeda Sensei's Hope Dialogue Vol. 3 "It's okay to give up after three days, but take a step forward"    • 「三日坊主でもいい 一歩を踏み出そう」～池田先生の希望対話 Vol.3～｜創価学会公式   Ikeda Sensei's Hope Dialogue Vol. 4 ...