My name is Life, is a true-story inspired book written by cancer-survivor and advocate, Karen Bugingo. True reality, is that her name 'Bugingo' also means life. Karen's book, is a story of a young lady in high-school, aged 19, full of hope, dreams and aspirations suddenly starts feeling ill, and is eventually diagnosed with stage four Burkitt Lymphoma. Karen has to go through different tests, emotionally, relation-ally, and physically. Her surroundings change, from high-school recreational areas in Rwanda, to dreading hospital scenes in Bangalore. In spite of all these issues, Karen's spirit is stronger than what her circumstances and charts say. Throughout the book, Karen never backs down, or look at her situation with fear; instead, she remains youthful and hopeful as she goes through this tunnel to search, find, and remain a light to her own surroundings.
I will not spoil it, kindly, do please find book here.
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When I heard that My name is Life was redesigning the Book cover, I immediately wanted to express what it meant for me.
As the summary states, Karen was a young lady, who passed through rough waters but, was able to remain unshaken - till the storm passed. The character of the book, and the author herself, were a surprise choice of influence on how to live through hard situations and how to look on it...
Stated here, is how I relate to the story, and reason why I chose to participate on this opportunity.
I read my name is Life, while I was passing through the most uncertain times of my career paths. And hearing her survival story, only encouraged me and gave me hope. It gave me a vision of how to walk through fire, with trust of God’s proof of existing glory, control and faithfulness. In more ways than one, it only revealed to me that there was nothing impossible to turn around in this life, or hard for God- that anything could change/and turn around. The character ‘Karen’ helped me overlook what was hard/ or burdensome - and inspired me (and often, as I read it) to choose to live life and make it worthwhile. That we are able to ooze and also, are full of life; that our circumstances were/are nothing but a breeze, a part of nature but didn’t have or hold our purpose, potential, and meaning of life or has to define our lives, the walk, mindsets, choices, perspectives of life or future and how to feel/think about it. Nothing even makes me happier than hearing that Karen was able to find solace in God, as He became her peace, and daily encouragement.
Karen’s character itself is more than for books. I strongly believe, cancer had picked the wrong person.
It made me feel a lot, that even today, I wouldn’t be able to put in words. It would become an example/tool/asset to ponder about her story, survival and thriving in this world even after, cancer.
I stan a woman of valor, virtue, grace, and courage.
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Here's another body of work: My name is Life, that I been this close to cancel, because I almost let "it's just not good enough/what's the point/let it go" take control.
Impostor syndrome hasn’t been favorable to me lately, here or in my architecture works... If you do suffer from impostor syndrome, you'll tend to undervalue/neglect yourself, work, ideas, abilities and potential. So allow me to hush it with - Wow, Lise! You've done it again!! You’re raising the bar sooo high. Limits? Where? (thank you, Strong Female Lead @netflix.)
It's painful. idk why, is it fear of failure, being judged/criticized/misrepresented? of being turned down perhaps? Is it the need to fit in/ remain safe, or fear of exposure? I do fear exposure, lack of perfection/ failure of not being at a standard which I am now, I'm tbh, figuring out that, IT DOESN'T EXIST. You set it for yourself - limits, inlcuded. (So, be wise-r.)
I just now put my best and make sure I enjoy it. Without second thoughts, or criticizing myself. - if there's room for improving/addition, I’ll take care of it! The rest is not up to me... I’m my worst critic - the kind that pulls myself down, totally. The kind that would destroy what my own hands would build.
I have like a hundred thousands desires of redrawing this work- but, I feel strongly about this one for so many reasons - I doubted myself, almost cancelled it, ignored myself and said let someone else do it.. and thought I would stay out of it, exit the opportunity etc - this reminds me of the very first design I did in high-school - because no one else was doing it from my age or circle... I had also given up, doubted it, and neglected - even after I had done/and submitted it. This very same unknown reason, desire of playing it safe, would lead me to reject or decline on so many similar opportunities.. I’m making a bold choice to step on fear and what seems unknown/unfamiliar territory- as I put it here today.
Either way, dang! Yes, I like it, I’m proud of it - One of the works, I am most proud of. I haven’t seen much of anything similar that has become a success from my background, or my fore-peers. I don’t hear much of push on this, as we were taught to push science down our throats. We are always taught to become doctors, engineers, that’s great and not cartoonists, or dancers, or actors, or singers, or photographers or dreamers...
The fear of not making it - or being sustained in the future, is almost a thief of the joy of today. While I participate in this, I choose to trust myself. It brings me confidence. Something I may not find elsewhere.
Find me an African (or anyone) person that became successful, that wasn’t mocked on the path to success.
That’s what I mean. It feels like certain things, we are taught to see no importance of, which isn’t true, cause it’s certainly real that you can do it. I have cancelled so many body of work, because of the traditional culture of dismissal on things that aren’t familiar to our ancestors, and foundations. I felt I had no purpose for it - like it was pointless. You drew this, then what?
I have dismissed, cancelled, deleted many ideas because of this need to fit in a mold, line and old manners of life, of what success lies at. Maybe success, isn’t in pursuing it, but just in the living. (I’m just consoling myself tbh)
To Whoever needs this, Your ideas, mind, motives, etc are gold and pure . If you feel like it, even for a just glimpse or second- it's real! It's great! Breathe, express, sing, dance, jump etc.. don't dismiss any of it.
I thank God for this new step and journey towards turnaround.
