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.
We never fail when we try to do our duty, we always fail when we neglect to do it.
I hope I work effectively, but I never feel I have exhausted what I should be doing... I believe we have a responsibility to be a good influence on others.
The one excellent thing that can be learned from a lion is that whatever a man intends doing should be done by him with a whole-hearted and strenuous effort.
The only reason we really pursue goals is to cause ourselves to expand and grow. Achieving goals by themselves will never make us happy in the long term; it's who you become, as you overcome the obstacles necessary to achieve your goals, that can give you the deepest and most long-lasting sense of fulfillment.
The first step to becoming is to will it.
You need never be discouraged or afraid. The way through difficulties has always been prepared for you, and you will find it if you exercise faith.
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