Cookieteegh known as Shirley Emma Tibilla is featured in AssumptaGH Weekly Magazine in the story title; ‘The Light of Everyday.’
‘The Light of the Day’refers to the brightness and positivity we can find in our daily lives. Does remind us as Ghanaians to appreciate the present situation in our homeland’
Tibilla’s name, “The Light of Everyday,” beautifully captures her radiant spirit and her ability to find joy and positivity in the simplest of things. Just as light illuminates darkness and brings warmth, Tibilla’s presence brightens the lives of those around her, especially when she appears on the nation’s television looking all glamorous.
Her name signifies that she saw Ghana through a lens of optimism and gratitude, finding beauty and wonder in the ordinary moments of everyday life. It symbolises her unwavering belief that even the smallest gestures and interactions hold the potential to bring happiness and make a positive impact.
Tibilla’s perspective was like a beacon, shining a light on the overlooked treasures that often go unnoticed. She had a knack for finding silver linings in challenging situations and for appreciating the little joys that others might overlook. Her name served as a reminder to herself and to others that every day is filled with opportunities for growth, connection, and celebration.
By embodying the essence of her name, Tibilla inspired those around her to adopt a similar outlook. Her radiant spirit and ability to find joy in the simplest of things encouraged others to shift their perspective, to embrace gratitude, and to cultivate a positive mindset. Through her actions and attitude, she showed that even in the face of adversity, there is always a glimmer of light to be found.
In essence, Tibilla’s name reflected her inner glow and her ability to illuminate the lives of others. It symbolised her unwavering commitment to finding happiness and spreading positivity, reminding everyone that they too possess the power to be a source of light in their own lives and in the lives of those around them.
TIBILLA:
Indeed, when faced with challenging circumstances such as hunger, unemployment, and inadequate healthcare, it can be incredibly difficult for people of Ghana to remain in their home country. However, my unwavering confidence and resilience allowed me to stay determined and committed to making a positive impact in my community with my television program.
TSASI
So you recognized the struggles and hardships that surround Ghanaians but you didn’t succumb to despair?
TIBILLA:
I chose to be a source of hope and inspiration. I understood that my presence and actions could bring about change, even in the face of adversity. While others may have chosen to leave in search of better opportunities, I believed in the power of staying and creating a positive transformation from within. I saw the potential for growth and progress, not just for myself but for my community as well.
TSASI
Do you work tirelessly to address the issues of hunger, unemployment, and healthcare in your television show?
TIBILLA
Indeed, I became an advocate for change, using my voice and determination to raise awareness about these problems and to empower others to take action.
Through my efforts, I sought to improve the lives of those around me, ensuring that they had access to the resources they needed. I collaborated with local organisations and individuals to establish community gardens, job training programs, and initiatives to improve healthcare services.
My confidence stemmed from my belief in the inherent strength and resilience of my community. I knew that by staying in Ghana and working together, they could overcome the challenges they faced. My steadfastness became a beacon of hope for others, inspiring them to also remain confident and actively contribute to positive change.
While the decision to stay confidently in Ghana in the face of difficult circumstances is not easy, my example showed that even amidst hardship, there is value in staying rooted and working towards a brighter future. My unwavering commitment to my community and my refusal to give up served as a powerful reminder that change is possible, and that individuals can make a difference, no matter the obstacles they face.
TSASI
A key point to hold unto is that Obstacles Enable Us to Polish Our Lives:
Stressing that hardships and obstacles enable us to polish our lives, that the very circumstances that trouble us help us reveal our Buddhahood or the power of change within us. As you have been aware of my Buddhist faith, In one of the Buddha’s writings, he employs the following simile: “It will only be like a boar rubbing against the golden mountain” (WND-1, 770).
The story behind this simile goes something like this: Once there was a golden mountain. A boar came upon it and didn’t like the fact that the mountain glittered brightly. It tried to erase the golden mountain’s brilliance by rubbing against it. The boar’s coat was stiff, and he rubbed very hard. But what was the result? The harder the boar rubbed against the mountain, the brighter it shone.
This simile appears in The Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom and in Great Concentration and Insight. The Nichiren Daishonin refers to it to teach us that the more that practitioners of the Lotus Sutra encounter obstacles, the brighter their lives shine.
The obstacles in question are the three obstacles and four devils.*1 We cannot attain enlightenment without struggling against them. We cannot become Buddhas without experiencing and overcoming difficulties just as we cannot graduate from university without taking examinations and passing them.
The Daishonin writes: “This world is the domain of the devil king of the sixth heaven” (WND-1, 495). As a result, good people are harassed and evil people do what they like. Kosen-rufu is a movement to fundamentally transform this upside-down state of affairs.
To shine ever more brightly the more obstacles we face this also provides an important lesson in the area of human relations.
TIBILLA :
Remember, my dear friends of Ghana, you all have the power to find the light of everyday in your own life. It’s all around you, waiting to be discovered and cherished. Thank you.
