When I was young, my father used to say, ‘If you are alive, there is hope for a better day and something good to happen. If there is nothing good left in the destiny of a person, he or she will die.’ I thought about these words during my journey, and they kept me moving even when I didn’t know where I was going. Those words became the vehicle that drove my spirit forward and made it stay alive.
Interpretation
Hope for a better future is essential for perseverance.
Ishmael Beah reflects on the profound influence of his father's words, emphasizing that as long as one is alive, there is potential for positive change and hope. These words served as a source of strength for him during difficult times, motivating him to keep moving forward despite uncertainty in his journey.
In practice
In a motivational speech to inspire young people facing challenges.
How many more times do we have to come to terms with death before we find safety?" he asked. He waited a few minutes, but the three of us didn't say anything. He continued: "Every time people come at us with the intention of killing us, I close my eyes and wait for death. Even though I am still alive, I feel like each time I accept death, part of me dies. Very soon I will completely die and all that will be left is my empty body walking with you. It will be quieter than I am.
...children have the resilience to outlive their sufferings, if given a chance.
This is one of the consequences of the civil war. People stop trusting each other, and every stranger becomes an enemy.
Some people tried to hurt us to protect themselves, their family and communities...This was one of the consequences of civil war. People stopped trusting each other, and every stranger became an enemy. Even people who knew you became extremely careful about how they related or spoke to you.
It's easier to stand on the sidelines, criticize, and say why you shouldn't do something. The sidelines are crowded. Get in the game.
God does not require us to achieve any of the good tasks that humanity must pursue. What God requires of us is that we not stop trying.
Failing forward is the ability to get back up after you've been knocked down, learn from your mistake, and move forward in a better direction.
Ninety to ninety-five percent of people will withdraw to the comfort zone when what they try doesn't work. Only that small percentage, 5 or 10 percent, will continually improve themselves; they will continually push themselves out into the zone of discomfort, and these are always the highest performers in every field.
In the long run men hit only what they aim at.
I don't work at being ordinary.
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