Re-Introducing Myself

Today, it’s our Heroes’ day. And what an honor and pride it is to be Rwandan. But again, this day reminds me of His Excellency Paul Kagame’s response when he was once asked about how proud it makes him to be part of a Noble bloodline- where there were lots of kings who came from his family’s lineage on both his Father’s and mother’s side. (In the book ‘Conversations with the President of Rwanda’) I will quote H.E’s answer: ‘‘Ideologically, I’m at odds with being proud of such things. Let me not be misunderstood: I’m very proud of who I am. As for the sense of being part of something, like a noble ancestry, although it is nothing of my doing, I accept it as my own and am proud of my heritage, but I’m not going to vaunt it. If I were to boast about something, which I still wouldn't under the circumstances, I would boast about something I have achieved on my own. Something I have accomplished, despite whatever challenges or obstacles that may have come my way. That's a different k...

On this same day last year, I decided to intentionally start visiting different cities in Italy. I used to think that the excitement that comes with travelling is only felt when one moves to another country. After exploring some cities here , I realized,  there are always lots to discover in every place and that’s what makes every experience exciting and beautiful. Lots have since then changed and here are a few myths, hacks and tips that I now consider important for travellers. TIPS AND HACKS. I. Having and Understanding your Why.  Prior to visiting a place, one has to define their reasons and that helps very much in the planning. There are different kinds of travellers which include those who travel for professional reasons, retreats or vacations, exploration and discovery. Identifying the category in which you fall in helps a lot in knowing what to pack, activities to try, how much to spend and when to do things according to your personal schedule as you travel. Personally,...

As I revised my journal the other day, I noticed that whenever I am about to write, 'Thanks God for the gift of life' is my all time first sentence! It is surely kind that I recognize God’s daily favor as I meditate but I had a hard time in finding a quick answer for a question that on the same day popped up in my mind. What and how I am supposed to exactly be doing to fully take advantage of that gift. If I have to be honest, that was a serious one that had me for quite some days. I felt a necessity to shift and adjust my ways through which I express my gratitude towards the Giver- God. To my acknowledgment, I realized, I have to add in work to properly explore the greatness of that gift. Indeed, every chance that I am given to wake up is a reminder that there is more I can do with this gift of life. I know lots of us, if not some, have been taught that there is a specific purpose that comes with this gift and they should so act accordingly. And up until now, lots are still ...

Love that temporarily sees the bad and permanently longs for the good. And just like I hope for Spring during the Winter, I want the kind of love that will still see success in their failures. Love whose focus is on ‘strengths’ and not their ‘weaknesses’. The kind of love that will always boost my pride for them, The kind of love that won’t let me easily give up on them, I want that kind of love that wishes good for them even after parting ways. The kind of love that won’t grant peace within as strangers will be supporting them before I do, the kind of love that celebrates them even in their absence. I don’t want to just listen to them from afar but to be present. Love that won’t just seek their approval, but their genuine love. The kind of love that does not hold me in captivity like lions in the Circus but is a light to my freedom, I want that kind of love that will always push me to do right. That Love that will treat them the same way I would want to be treated.

Je me souviens de mensonges que j’ai crus étant enfant! Qu’il n’y avait aucun adulte qui pleure, que personne ne peut se perdre ou échouer à tel ou tel âge. Les gens semblaient si forts et je croyais que cette étape n'avait pas de situations qui mène à être si faible. J’avais une image de qui et que chacun des adultes doit avoir et être.   Avec les jours, je me rends compte que ce n'est sûrement pas vrai.  C'était et ce sera les nuits que j’ai passées entre d’étudier, fêter des anniversaires, visiter les villes, les amis et des familles. Les gens que je connais et les autres que je rencontrerai, ma personnalité, ma spiritualité, mes finances, mon passé et mon présent. Les écoles et les cours que j’ai pris. Les différents plats que j’ai essayés, mes déjeuners, mes fruits préférés, le temps que je passe dans la cuisine et tous ceux que je peux préparer. C’est l’amour que je reçois de ma famille et mes amis. C’est toujours mes efforts de les aimer en retour. Les histoires qu...

  Dear Future International student, I am writing to you while sitting so many miles away, but in reality I am home.  I am sure your admission must be the best thing that has ever happened to you this year, and no matter how complicated the visa application process may be, your excitement overloads. You can’t wait to shop for those long winter coats and pack them. You can’t wait to see your gallery full of the sky’s views this time taken by you. And when you land in your dream country, where your university is, you can’t wait to compare what you have heard with what you will see. You can’t wait to be called a diaspora and change your lifestyle, as you have always wanted. And if you are a believer, you are probably praying so hard that everything goes well as planned.  What then should I say as somebody who was once in your shoes? Well, I will first say Congratulations. You are about to embark on a journey that will completely change your life for either the good or bad; t...

I like to imagine a being, maybe also God, sitting on a dilapidated sofa in a hushed room, above or below this surface to just think. If ‘Self- Love’ comes into this being’s mind, what can they say? I have also been wondering why this idea of ‘Self-Love’ is on trend these days. I found no exact answer but here are a few reasons why I think it is being brought to our attention more often. So many of us if not some are lost in satisfying people’s perceptions of what they call ideal lives. Lots want to conceal their mediocre attitudes, failures and weaknesses. After they are successfully hidden, people will often see us as ‘Certain and not Confused’, ‘Strong’, ‘Rich’, ‘Kind’, ‘Fulfilled’ ‘Successful’, or every word to help us fit in and get where we think we will do better. If Self- Love is just about the hours spent at the gym, in restaurants, hot bathing or time spent out with friends, some people would feel happy and fulfilled within just an ⅛ of their whole day. Given they were able t...