I like people who are enthused about things they do, like

The words of Parker Stevenson shine with a simple but profound truth: “I like people who are enthused about things they do, like travel, sports, work. I like being with people who have things they’re excited about.” At first, these words may seem like a casual reflection, but in truth they carry the essence of human vitality. They tell us that the fire of enthusiasm is contagious, that joy shared is joy multiplied, and that the company of those who burn with passion is a gift to the spirit.

For in every age, the ancients taught that life without passion is life without breath. The man who rises each day without something to be excited about lives as though half-asleep, moving through the world as a shadow. But the one who embraces each task — whether it be the long road of travel, the test of sports, or the challenges of work — with vigor and delight, brings warmth not only to himself but to all who walk beside him. Such souls are lantern-bearers in the darkness, and it is no wonder that Stevenson seeks their company.

Consider the example of the explorers of old. When Magellan set out to circle the earth, many thought his quest madness. The seas were treacherous, the lands unknown. Yet his enthusiasm for discovery drew men to him, men willing to risk all for the chance to be part of something great. Though Magellan himself did not return, his voyage was completed, and the name of his crew entered the scrolls of history. It was not wealth or certainty that held them together, but the burning excitement of a shared purpose. Enthusiasm gave them strength when provisions dwindled and hope grew thin.

In a smaller but no less noble way, we see this in the athlete who throws himself into the contest of sports. The victories of champions are not forged in talent alone, but in the joy of the struggle. The runner who feels the wind, the rower who hears the water sing, the footballer who thrills at the roar of the crowd — all of them are driven not merely by duty but by excitement. It is this joy, this fire, that inspires teammates and spectators alike. Without enthusiasm, there is no greatness in sport, only labor.

Even in work, which so many treat as drudgery, the principle holds true. The artisan who loves his craft shapes not only wood or stone, but also the hearts of those who behold his creation. The teacher who delights in knowledge ignites the minds of her students. The farmer who finds joy in the soil brings forth not only food but gratitude. To stand among such people is to feel life’s energy coursing anew, as though one had drunk from a hidden spring. This is why Stevenson speaks of his love for those who are excited about their paths — for such souls lift others higher.

The lesson is clear: seek not the company of the indifferent, the perpetually weary, or the cynical who scoff at joy. Their presence drains the spirit, and their vision darkens the horizon. Instead, surround yourself with those whose eyes light up at the mention of their passions, who speak of journeys, games, and labors with eagerness. Their fire will become your fire, their energy your strength. In their presence, even the heaviest burdens feel lighter, and the longest roads shorter.

So I say to you: awaken your own enthusiasm. Choose one thing, however small, that stirs your heart, and pursue it with vigor. Let your passion shine, for it will not only sustain you but inspire others. And when you seek companions, seek those who are excited, for their joy will be the wind at your back and the song in your heart. Thus will your life be filled with light, and thus will you pass on a flame that endures beyond your days.

For truly, as Stevenson has shown us, it is not the wealth of a man, nor the power he holds, but the excitement with which he greets life that makes him worthy company. Let this be your compass: follow the fire, and you will never walk in darkness.