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The Fabric of Daily Life

The SGI Quarterly asked people from around the world to reflect on the meaning of courage in their lives


Living for Others
Mora Gibbings, Cambodia

During the Khmer Rouge period in Cambodia, I survived because I reached the point where you're so afraid that you're not afraid anymore. You have to fight.

One time, when I was 16 years old, two guards came to take me and my cousin away. They accused me of having spiritual beliefs because I was burning incense. We knew we would be taken somewhere; we didn't know where, but we would never be seen again.

But I stood up to them. I said "No!" I knew if they really wanted to take me, they could. But at the last minute, I had to do something. Even if they took me, I would not be sorry, because I did something. Luckily, they let us go, and we were safe.

Looking back, I think, "How could I be so strong?" When you reach a point where you think you might die, you have to fight.

The Khmer Rouge time was physically very hard. Living in Australia now is also not easy. Sometimes it can even feel harder, because at least in Cambodia everyone was in the same situation.

When my second daughter was born here in Australia, I felt very lonely. In Cambodia when you have a baby, all the neighbors come round.

One time especially, I got very depressed. I asked myself, "What am I living for?" But I got up and went outside and bought flowers for myself. I told myself that I have to live on for my family and for my baby. That saved me. If I had not been strong enough to get up from my bed at that moment, I might not have survived.

You live for others--that's what makes you alive. Living only for yourself is not the way for a human being to live.



A Succession of Moments
Dr. Mulenga Kasoma, Zambia

We tend to think of courage as great acts by extraordinary people. Over the years, in my life as a mother and in my work as a medical doctor, I have realized that life isn't a matter of milestones, but consists of moments. It's the same with courage. Courage does not always mean doing something extraordinary or brave: it's part of your daily life or work.

In 2006, I started work at a small district hospital where I was the only doctor. Everything was so overwhelming. Most patients could not access even basic health care services because of distance. A lot of patients who were HIV positive could not access antiretroviral treatments, and many were dying in the remote villages.

I proposed to the District Health Office that since the patients could not come to us, we needed to go to them. I decided to seek funding to make this possible, and to my surprise various international agencies provided support, enabling us to start a mobile health service in villages. We faced many challenges, and at times almost gave up. We managed to enroll more than 4,000 HIV/AIDS patients and reach thousands more, especially children and pregnant women. This led to improvement in health indicators like reductions in maternal and infant mortality. In 2009, we were awarded the United Nations Public Service Award for Improvement in Service Delivery. It was a very proud moment for the country but especially for our small district.

Courage is all those moment-to-moment decisions and actions in our daily lives that bring us closer to being the person we were meant to be. Courage is being able to pick yourself up every time you fall, but more importantly it's realizing you don't drown by falling in water, but by staying there. Courage means always trying, even though things may seem impossible.



Pursuing My Path
Glenis Paul, Barbados

In my late teens, I moved to New York City to study at one of the best art colleges in the US. The New York art world schooled me enough to know that our individuality is our most precious resource. Most of my art school colleagues were very dismissive of my work because I chose to address black themes, and many of them believed there was nothing new to be said. This pushed me to look at my work more critically and consequently helped me be a better artist. Instinct told me that moving to a place where I was even more of a minority could become a great opportunity.

My partner and I gave up our apartment and jobs and moved with our four-month-old son to China. Many of our friends called us brave, but we simply believed in the vision of the future we saw for ourselves. When we arrived in China, we could not even say "Hello" and certainly not the name of the place we wanted to go to. I've learned that courage is not only needed in the face of danger.

I am currently pursuing my Master's degree in art at the China Academy of Art. As a dark-skinned, muscular woman living here, slowly learning the language and culture, I find myself having to challenge the negativity directed at me daily because clear white skin is the social norm for beauty. Courage for me means battling every day the doubt that inevitably sets in because of the random looks, giggles, and the occasional rude outbursts telling me I am the opposite of what is considered beautiful. These are issues I address in my artwork, and I hope that an honest, heartfelt assessment can result in a real catalyst for change for women around the globe.



Fighting On
Daihachi Furuoka, Japan

I was bullied when I was in junior high school, and ever since then, I've wanted to become strong. When I entered university, I joined the school's kickboxing club. I was clumsy and felt I had no talent, but I devoted myself to practice with hopes of becoming stronger. As a result, when I was a junior, I became an intercollegiate kickboxing champion.

Upon graduating, I became a professional kickboxer. However, things didn't go as smoothly as they did when I was a student--every day was a struggle as I faced the harsh reality of professional sports. I continued to lose, and practice became so distressing that I eventually stopped, and wasn't able to fight in matches for two years.

Even during such times, my wish to become stronger and gain a championship title never disappeared. I also wanted to respond to my family and friends who were supporting me.

Returning to my starting point of why I wanted to become a kickboxer, I mustered my courage once again and became determined to continue pursuing my dream. From that moment on, I began winning steadily, and last year I reached second place in the bantamweight championships. My next step is to become champion.

In combat sports, it's a constant struggle against fear and anxiety. However, as soon as the match begins, I feel nothing but the will to win, and all of my fear and anxiety vanish.

There is no greater courage than continuing to have hope and pursue a big dream, without giving up. It's not easy to continue challenging oneself. Life would be much easier if I didn't have to try so hard. However, that would be living a life of regret. If I determine to fight and win no matter what, I can continue to advance no matter what.

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