As a result of the International Centre for Students World Opportunities Week and Beyond our Borders Project’s efforts, on Oct. 28, I had the pleasure and honour of having lunch with Dr. James Orbinski, who is, amongst many other things, a doctor, professor, humanitarian and award-winning author. Orbinski co-founded the Canadian branch of Doctors Without Borders and accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the organization in 1999. He has witnessed the best and the worst that humanity has to offer, most notably the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which saw an estimated one million people dead in one hundred days. Today Orbinski works through Dignitas International, an organization he co-founded, to provide treatment, care and prevention of HIV in the developing world.

There are so few moments in life when something touches you so profoundly that time literally stands still while the moment washes over you, leaving you feeling both powerless and empowered by its magnitude. Moments like these create imprints in our souls that fundamentally change who we are as human beings. This was the effect of meeting and listening to Orbinski. His humble wisdom is both captivating and inspiring, and in sharing a room with him, you cannot help but feel that you are in the presence of greatness.

He reasons scientifically and speaks poetically, reminding us that the only limits are those we place upon ourselves. His message resonates deeply and is profound in its simplicity. Orbinski believes that the recognition of the sameness of self in another is the beginning of what it means to be a humanitarian. I think the process of becoming a humanitarian is a lifelong journey. Mine has only recently begun, and Orbinski has inspired me to keep going.

All too often, the lenses through which we view the world are intently focused on our own small corner of it. The days that pull us from the monotony of routine and point our lenses outward are the days that are extraordinary, because they force us to live in the world that we are in.
Perhaps figuring out how to create these days is part of the process of becoming a global citizen. In my experience, the essence of becoming a global citizen is about following your own compass and finding your own way to engage with the broader world. Through pursuing my interests in volunteering for organizations that I believe in, my life has grown in depth.

There is no precise formula or map for life. As Orbinski reminds us, the only maps for living are retrospective. The rudest awakenings in my life occurred when I thought I had everything figured out. When I got into law school, I was convinced that I would summer at a law firm and article immediately after graduation, and that this would bring me success. I soon discovered that despite any monetary success, it would not bring me happiness or fulfillment. Feeling like I had failed in life, I took a term off to gain some precious perspective. The time that I took to figure out where I had been and where I wanted to go in the future ended up being an invaluable investment.

Since there can be failure in success and success in failure, we must not fear failure. When we pursue something that feels meaningful, the process is more valuable than the outcome. In this sense, the pursuit of one’s dreams is a win-win situation. Either you accomplish what you have set out to achieve, or you learn something about yourself and the world. Had I not found the courage to veer off the path that I thought I had to walk to find success, I would have failed myself. Now that I am finishing my degree, I have no idea where my path will take me, but I suppose that is the beauty in the journey of life.

I was both nervous and excited to meet someone whom I admire so greatly. Although I had no expectations as to what it might be like to meet a person of such talent, accomplishment and wisdom, the experience exceeded any expectation I could have imagined. After meeting someone who has done such amazing things for the world and who has changed the lives of millions of people in very profound ways, we can all be inspired to do a better job at realizing our own potential through pursuing our own dreams and ideas. With confidence, courage and conviction, anything is possible.

The most resonating message that Orbinski conveyed was that, in spite of all the ugliness that he has witnessed in the world — suffering, war, destruction, disease, poverty and genocide — there remains endless hope and beauty. And, perhaps, even optimism.

Jillian Nichols is a third-year Law student at the University of Manitoba.