Can you imagine being forced to fight for your life, before you even understand the meaning of war?

A few weeks ago, I picked up a book that opened my eyes to harsh realities faced by millions around the world. This book is called ‘The Boy Who Wouldn’t Die’ by David Nyuol Vincent.

This was his story as a Sudanese refugee that was trained to be a child soldier, who survived famine and rebuilt his life here in Melbourne, Australia.

In this letter, I want to share the invaluable lessons I’ve learned from Vincent’s story and why we should bear witness and understand the experiences of others.

The Power of Perspective

Prior to reading this, my understanding of global issues was vague at best. I knew that war existed, that poverty existed, but I truly lacked the understanding of its depths and its impact.

Through his vivid account of his life in South Sudan, this book provided me a glimpse into a world I never experienced firsthand. It taught me the first lesson I want to share: The Power of Perspective.

Perspective is the ability to understand, experience, or think about something through another lens.

Naturally, as humans, we always view the world from our own unique perception. Our perception is a product of our experiences, beliefs, biases, and cognitive processes.

This is how we make sense of the world, but this can also be the reason why we can’t make sense of others if we are unaware of it.

When we fail to recognize the subjective nature of our perspective, conflicts, misunderstandings, and even hostility can arise.

This dynamic occurs both on the micro and macro scales of human interaction.

It made me think about my own interpersonal relationships and how the major source of disconnect I experienced was from a lack of effort to view the perspective of others or for the failure of my perspective to be recognized as well.

Ultimately, we’re responsible for how we view the world and give meaning to every experience we encounter. However, by recognizing the limitations of our perspective, we’re able to bridge the divides and foster harmony and empathy to build a more compassionate world.

The Art of Gratitude

The next thing I learned or was reminded of was to practice gratitude. Reading this book just showed me how much I’ve taken things for granted in my life.

From the shoes I wear on my feet,

the food laid on my table,

and my family around me.

In this digital age, we often get caught in the race of trying to one-up each other or feel like we don’t have enough, but when we actually take a moment to be present and recognize what’s around us, there’s plenty to be grateful for.

A moment where this resonated with me was when I read a chapter of the book and then headed to the kitchen for a drink of water.

As I sipped my water, I heard a plane flying overhead.

Just moments before that, I had read Vincent’s experience of how he had to hide from planes, not knowing if they would be killed by air bombings, or whether the plane was the United Nations dropping off bags of food.

The difference between my routine act of hydrating and the life-threatening decisions faced by Vincent were worlds apart.

In that moment, gratitude washed over me, with a sense of humility and a wake-up call for the safety and security I often take for granted.

It was truly in that moment in the kitchen, I sat with the silence of being grateful for my life and also reflecting and praying for the millions of others who are fighting just to face another day.

The Power of Faith

Have you ever had an experience where things just unfolded in ways that you could never have imagined but happened to bring you the thing you were seeking?

Even if on the outside, it looked as if everything was going horribly wrong, it led you to a place where you can receive the thing you have prayed for.

In this book, I admired Vincent's resilience and how he never let go of that faith.

An example of this is when he lost contact with his mum, with no way to be able to find and interact with her. Her old village had been destroyed and it had been 20 years since they’d last seen each other. However, he never let go of his desire to reunite with his mum, not knowing if she was even alive.

An unfolding of events and chance encounters led to another where he made it to Australia and then was invited to Switzerland to give a speech where someone he met there last saw his mum.

Isn’t that so amazing? Like, what are the chances of that happening? Switzerland out of all places.

This serendipitous encounter shows that even in our darkest moments, holding onto that faith and remaining open to the synchronicities of life can lead us to unexpected blessings. It reminded me that miracles can happen when we least expect them, and it showed me the power of faith and perseverance in the face of challenges.

Why We Should Bear Witness to Others' Stories

Vincent’s story serves as an important reminder for so many different things.

His book showed me the stark realities of conflict and lives around the world. It showed me the power of resilience and the importance of the human spirit.

However, his story is just one among countless others.

Across the globe, millions of people are experiencing similar hardships, from conflict and famine to displacement and insecurity.

Yet, these struggles often go unnoticed by mainstream media.

As we reflect on Vincent's narrative and the lessons it imparts, let us also remember the millions of individuals whose stories remain untold. By spreading awareness and understanding, we can take the first step towards addressing these global challenges.

Whether that’s just by simply listening and understanding the experiences of other people, keeping an open mind, contributing with purpose, and living with gratitude.

I recommend you read this book - it made me cry, it made me laugh and it definitely inspired me. 

So with that said, I hope you gained something from today's letter and I'll see you next time!

Love,

Clarity