Feel joy and love what you do

When I scramble over rocks, climb trees, and chase wild rabbits in the mountains, life runs smoothly. When I listen to melodious tones of birds and sense the still and cool breeze, my heart seems to be at peace with nature. I feel no hunger, no stress, no panic; my heart does not trouble me, my soul never cries, my legs do not tremble; I am energetic and very appreciative of life. I am in love with myself, my actions and my surroundings. I can be injured and not feel pain, I can be insulted but not fume, and I can be attacked and not fret. I am joyful, doing what I love. This is what the Roman philosopher Seneca, wrote about in a set of letters that he sent to his young friend, in the first century. In the 23rd letter he wrote, Make this your business: learn how to feel joy...true joy, believe me, is a serious thing. Learn to do what you love doing, make it your business; it is a source of joy! On Sunday, November 13, 2011, my former biology teacher, a few friends, and I decided to go hiking. We woke up before the cock crowed, an hour before sunrise and drove for almost three hours before we reached the mountains. By the time we reached our destination, my friends were snoring but I was up, patiently waiting for what I had missed for three months. We unpacked our stuff from the cars, took a couple of photographs, and started an exciting adventure. The mountains are rocky, no tall trees and no bushes but the rocks are enormous. I started my journey, climbed 20-meter-tall rocks, and hopped from one rock to another like a mature toad. Within 10 minutes, I was about 300 meters from the group. My heart soared like an eagle’s and my muscles oscillated like a hunting dog’s. I was on the move, in the swing of what I love doing. I was with a former military student, now my classmate. Soon, my friend and I, discovered a rabbit, chased it around for 20 minutes creating quite the scene. I stumbled over the rock that cut my calf but I felt no pain. I was in my world doing what brought me joy. My teacher was astounded by my tornado like speed that could catch a rabbit weaponless. At about 3:00 p.m when everyone’s muscles ached and hearts beat double their normal rate, I had only just begun. On our bus back home, my spirits were up, my body was sweaty, I spoke gently and happily appreciating the moments I just had. When I was asked whether I was tired, my answer was, I wish we could go back tomorrow; I felt no stress and no pain but pleasure of the highest caliber. I have made it my responsibility to learn to be joyful; it matters and it is a serious thing. You will feel no emptiness, void or pain; happiness will cover your visage and contentment will flow from your heart. You will be in the state of enjoyment. Learning to be joyful is a serious thing; in fact, it is the most important thing you could ever do. With joy you will be contented of your actions, your heart will grow fonder, and you will say no to distractions with a smile on your face. Always enjoy the things you love to do! emanirakiza10@africanleadershipacademy.org