written by Evrard Gatana
Story I.
Your Bravery, Your Ability
One morning, while lying in bed before starting my day, I took my usual five minutes for meditation. During this time, a profound realization struct me: small actions, accumulated over time, can lead to something truly significant. I quickly reached for my pen and cherished notebook to capture this inspiring insight. Recently, I began applying this concept daily, and it has now become a habit through all four steps. I will discuss this process in detail in my book.
The previous night, I had watched a documentary on Netflix about an African queen Nzinga, who fiercely resisted portuguese colonization in Angola. Nzinga's leadership led to the defeat of more than a thousand slavery and exemplified her unwavering dedication to freeing her people from colonial oppression. her sacrifices and relentless efforts in the fight against slavery are a testament of her heroism.
Throughout history, many african leaders have fought valiantly to end the slave trade and secure freedom for their people. These stories remind us of our own potential to overcome challenges and make a difference.
So why am I sharing this? we all possess an inner strength capable of transforming our discomfort into empowerment. Our abilities are boundless, not merely because of the power held by individuals like queen Nzinga, but due to their unyielding commitment and passion. Her story illustrates that true heroism comes from dedication and a drive to protect and uplift others.
Remember, achieving your dreams takes discipline, but the satisfaction that follows is immensely rewarding. Stay positive and dream beyond your limitations.
Story II.
Measuring Your Season
After finishing work, I went for an evening walk. When I returned, I sat on the veranda to relax, enjoying the cool breeze. In front of the house, a beautiful tree caught my eye, its leaves preparing to fall. The crisp air signaled that autumn had arrived, and soon winter would follow.
This moment made me reflect on the past summer months when the trees were full of life. Each season, whether it’s summer or fall, has its own unique beauty. It reminded me of the natural cycles of life, how everything, including our own lives, passes through different seasons.
I was reminded of the words of King Solomon in Ecclesiastes: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
I also thought about how ancient civilizations, like the Egyptians, measured time by the movement of shadows long before clocks existed. They used tall obelisks to cast shadows and divide the day into hours, and later invented the merkhet to track time at night by the stars. Across cultures, people learned to measure time and plan their lives according to the seasons.
In the same way, we need to recognize our own personal seasons. Each of us has a time to sow and a time to reap. Don’t compare your journey to others or wish to be in someone else’s season. Focus on your own path, and your harvest will come in its time.
Understand your season. Know what you want to achieve, and work towards it at the right moment.
Stay calm and mindful of your season.
Story III
Shaped by Struggles
As I glanced to my side, my eyes caught a glimpse of a cracked wooden step on the staircase. For a moment, I paused, instinctively stepping back, uncertain if it could bear my weight. Then, a thought stirred within me. That wood, once part of a tall, sturdy tree, had been cut down, shaped, and crafted into something entirely new—a stair designed with a purpose.
This thought took me back to my childhood, watching people cut down trees by hand. It was a slow, labor-intensive process. I can still remember the sharp sound of the saw biting through the wood. Back then, before machines took over, it took real energy and persistence to fell a tree and shape it into something useful. Just like that tree, we all go through a process of transformation. Our experiences, whether painful or triumphant, carve us into the people we are meant to become.
Throughout history, human progress has often mirrored this process. Think of the great inventors like Thomas Edison. He faced countless failures before he was ultimately compelled to awaken the hidden genius that lay dormant within his mind. His story has become a symbol of perseverance, reminding us that even repeated setbacks can lead to great achievements. His light bulb didn’t just illuminate rooms—it lit up the darkness in a way no one thought possible.
In the same way, our own journeys are filled with challenges and failures. Like wood being shaped into a stair, or Edison’s persistent efforts, we are shaped by our struggles and triumphs. These experiences refine us, moving us closer to our potential, even when we feel cracked or worn down.
Just like the wooden stair and Edison's invention, we all have a purpose. We weren’t meant to simply admire the successes of others; we are designed to pursue our own dreams, to carve out our own path. Embracing the difficulties along the way only makes us stronger and more aligned with who we are meant to be.
So, the next time you stumble upon a crack—whether in a staircase or in your own life—remember that it's just part of the shaping process. You are being crafted into something greater, something with purpose, just like the wood from that tree.
Story IV
Beauty in Adversity
One evening, my friend and I went for a walk in a picturesque modern village. The air was cool, and the streets were lined with homes bathed in soft, radiant light. Each house glowed like a jewel, but as we continued walking, one home caught my eye—not because it was the largest or the most expensive, but because of the love and care that radiated from it.
This house wasn't about grandeur. It was about passion. The way the lights were arranged, blending seamlessly with the surrounding nature, was breathtaking. The simple beauty of it taught me an important lesson: it's not always about having endless resources to create something beautiful. Sometimes, all it takes is putting your heart and soul into what you do.
This reminded me of a story from the early 1900s in Central East Africa, when thousands of refugees fled from Rwanda to Burundi. The leaders at that time banished them to a remote, dangerous forest far from the city, where the only inhabitants were wild animals and deadly insects. Survival seemed impossible. Yet, despite the odds, these refugees—children, women, and the elderly—chose to live.
They cut down trees, built homes, and hunted for food. Slowly, what started as a struggle for survival became the foundation of a small village. They cleared the land and nurtured it into something thriving and beautiful. The leaders, shocked by their resilience, eventually forced them out, fearing the growing community might one day challenge their power.
This story is a powerful reminder that beauty and success don’t always come from perfect conditions. Often, it’s the challenges that push us to create something meaningful. What makes you hesitate to move towards your goals? Whatever it is, remember this: trust the process, trust history, and, if nothing else, trust yourself. Each journey—whether filled with tears, sweat, or struggle—can end with joy if you embrace it fully.
Story V
The Star’s Whisper
Down sat beneath the large oak tree, sipping his coffee slowly as the warm breeze swirled around him. His heart was heavy with sadness, but he forced a smile, trying to hide his pain. In the quiet air, a beautiful voice drifted by, like a distant memory. It stirred something deep within him, reminding him of something he had lost but couldn’t forget. His eyes followed the sound, then wandered up to the evening sky, where a single star shone brightly, twinkling between the clouds. He took another sip of coffee and placed the cup down, his thoughts spiraling.
The star, glowing with a strange brightness, captured his attention. He couldn’t look away, feeling both sadness and curiosity. What was it about that voice? And why did the star seem to call out to him?
Just then, his daughter came running, her laughter pulling him from his thoughts. She wanted to play, and as her father, he couldn’t say no. They kicked a small ball back and forth, but even as he played with her, his mind was elsewhere. His heart felt distant, like it was lost up in the stars. After a while, his daughter got tired, kissed him goodnight, and went inside to her mother. Alone again, Down returned to his spot under the tree, his eyes drawn once more to the shining star.
He kept staring, drawn in by its blinking light. With each moment, it seemed to shine brighter, as if trying to tell him something. He didn’t fully understand, but he felt something shift inside him. He decided to follow the star, to escape his pain and confusion, even if just for a little while. In his heart, he made the choice to journey to that star.
In his mind, he saw himself traveling through the vastness of space until he arrived at a glowing gate. The gate shimmered with words like humility, love, and mercy. Beyond it was a kingdom filled with dazzling jewels and treasures of every kind. At the center stood a figure, the leader named Jack, who welcomed him with a kind smile.
“We only allow those who embody one of these virtues to enter,” Jack explained gently. “The greatest gift we can offer isn’t found here, but in returning home and planting the seed of these values in your own life.”
Down listened carefully, feeling the meaning of Jack’s words. Yet, when he tried to enter, something stopped him. Jack’s smile was understanding but firm. Down wasn’t ready. He lacked one of the core values needed to live a truly happy life. The kingdom’s treasures weren’t his to claim, not yet.
In an instant, Down was back under the oak tree, feeling the familiar weight of the world on his shoulders. But something had changed. He now realized that peace and happiness weren’t found in faraway stars or treasure-filled kingdoms. They were already within him, waiting to grow. The values he sought weren’t external—they were seeds inside him, needing only time and care to flourish.
He looked up at the star once more, and this time, his smile came naturally. He had found his path. Now, all that was left was to walk it.
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