"La joie vient en le suivant, pas seulement en le considérant."

The core idea here is that true joy isn't just about thinking about or contemplating a higher power or guiding principles in your life—it's about actively living by those principles. It's one thing to ponder a path; it's entirely another to walk it.

When this was said, it was likely addressing a common human tendency to confuse passive reflection with active living. We might often find ourselves considering the moral or spiritual high road but stopping short of actually taking the steps to walk it daily. This quote serves as a reminder that the real fulfillment and joy come from the doing—making the effort to align our actions with our beliefs, rather than just daydreaming about it.

Imagine a musician who spends hours reading about playing the guitar—studying the scales, the chords, the theory behind music. They might feel a sense of satisfaction from this knowledge. However, it's not until they pick up the guitar and start strumming, practicing, and making music that they truly experience the joy of playing. The joy is in the doing, not just the knowing.

You might be wondering how to apply this wisdom in your own life. Here’s a simple piece of advice: identify one principle or value that you hold dear but perhaps haven't fully integrated into your daily life. Is it kindness? Patience? Generosity? Now, think of a small, tangible way to practice this value every day. If it's kindness, maybe start with simple acts like holding the door for someone or giving a genuine compliment. The key is consistency and sincerity. Over time, these small actions accumulate, and you start to feel a deep, fulfilling joy that comes from living out your values.

Let’s dive into a more relatable scenario. Picture this: Sarah is a high school teacher who believes deeply in the power of education to change lives. She often thinks about how wonderful it is to inspire students and help them see their potential. However, her busy schedule means she sometimes resorts to just getting through the curriculum without much engagement or passion.

One day, she decides to shift from just considering her role as an educator to actively embracing it. She starts by spending a little extra time preparing her lessons to make them more interactive. She attends a workshop on innovative teaching methods and begins implementing new techniques. She makes an effort to connect with each student personally, understanding their strengths and challenges.

As she starts putting in this extra effort, she notices a change. Her students become more engaged and excited about learning. Sarah herself feels a renewed sense of purpose and joy in her work. The act of doing, of aligning her daily actions with her deeper beliefs about education, transforms her experience.

So, think about your own life. Is there something you believe in passionately but haven't fully acted on? What’s stopping you? Sometimes it’s fear, sometimes it’s inertia. But remember, joy is in the journey of living those beliefs. Start small, be consistent, and watch how the joy unfolds naturally as you walk the path you’ve only been considering.

Next time you’re sipping your morning coffee, take a moment to reflect—not just on what you believe, but what you can do today to live those beliefs. Because it’s in the doing, in the everyday actions, that we find true joy.