Adeline H., Incarnation Catholic School
My Way to Happiness
“Happiness may only be found by helping others to find it.” This quote by Napoleon Hill was my entire summer of 2024, which was the hardest time I have ever gone through. Let me tell you why and how I got better. I went to sleepaway camp for a week, and it was incredibly fun. The catch was, when I got back, all the thoughts and feelings that I had been ignoring in favor of enjoying myself came back stronger. This downpour of emotions caused some symptoms of depression, anxiety, and body dysmorphia. I was so despondent that I could barely force myself to take care of myself, let alone serve others. Service is a selfless act for other people, and I definitely didn’t have the strength to be selfless. I had next to no respite from my struggles. The only thing that brought me a bit of happiness after this downpour of emotions was rowing practice. I am a rower for a club in Dayton. I was so desperate for respite that I started looking into more things I could do through rowing. I discovered that I could volunteer at a camp that teaches little kids how to row, so I signed up to volunteer at it.
My journey to feeling better started the first day I showed up at that camp. Seeing the absolute joy on the people who ran the camp’s faces that I had just showed up when there were next to no other volunteers was just the beginning. Hey, this feels good! I thought. I got to do so much as a volunteer at this camp- direct the kids, carry boats, fill in spots in boats, and so much more. I was doing something for other people, and it was something I enjoyed. I continued to volunteer here for the rest of my summer, through rain or shine, through fog and wind, and through good days and bad days. Every day I felt a little better. Service was my healing, and I was “Having Fun” just as Dottie Yeck wanted!
I had so many service hours by the time summer ended and my mental situation had significantly improved. I became much happier and less anxious. I took care of myself while getting involved in more service opportunities and taking care of others. I started to feel comfortable in my own skin. Now I have started eighth grade and have never been happier. That is why service is important- it is healing for the body, mind, and soul for the person who is serving AND the person who is being served. The people who are being served are so happy when you help them! Just as Dottie Yeck said, service is “Having Fun” (but definitely also Doing Good”!) I hope someday everyone can realize this and donate their time to service more. If this happens, I believe the world will be a much better place!
