"Las cosas más altas y hermosas de la vida no se deben escuchar ni leer ni ver pero si uno quiere deben vivirse."

The essence of this quote is all about experiencing life to its fullest. It's saying that the most wonderful aspects of life can't be truly understood through just hearing, reading, or even seeing. They need to be lived and felt.

Think about it like this: you can read countless books about love, watch movies that depict it, or listen to love songs all day long. But none of that will compare to the actual feeling of falling in love yourself. That rush of emotions, the butterflies in your stomach, the way the world seems to light up—those are things that can't be captured by words or pictures. You have to go through it to truly understand it.

Historically, this was a sentiment echoed during the Romantic era, when there was a big emphasis on personal experience and emotion. Authors and poets like Thoreau and Emerson talked a lot about the importance of living fully and experiencing the world firsthand. They believed that true beauty and understanding come from direct engagement with life.

A practical example? Take adventure travel. You could read every travel guide out there about hiking in the Himalayas. You could watch all the documentaries about the culture in Nepal, see stunning photos of the mountains, and listen to stories from people who've been there. But none of that will give you the same sense of awe as standing at the base of those towering peaks, feeling the crisp mountain air, and hearing the crunch of snow under your boots. That lived experience is irreplaceable.

So how do you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by stepping out of your comfort zone. Try to do things you've always been curious about but maybe felt a bit scared to try. Take that dance class, go on that solo trip, or start that new hobby. The key is to immerse yourself fully in these experiences, not just as an observer but as an active participant. It's about being present and open to whatever comes your way.

Imagine you're at a concert of your favorite band. You've listened to their albums a million times, watched videos of their performances, and know all the lyrics by heart. But being there, in the crowd, feeling the bass reverberate through your body, seeing the lights, and hearing the music live—it's a whole different ballgame. You and the people around you are united by the shared experience, and that's something you can't get from just listening to a recording.

Or consider a personal story. I remember my first time trying surfing. I had read articles, watched tutorials, and even listened to surfers talk about the thrill of riding a wave. But none of it prepared me for the actual experience. The first time I stood up on that board, feeling the ocean's power propelling me forward—there was nothing like it. I wiped out a bunch of times, sure, but those moments when I caught a wave made all the spills worth it. That feeling of accomplishment and connection with nature was something I had to live to truly understand.

In the end, it's all about living. Don't just stand on the sidelines, dive into life, and experience its richness firsthand. That's where you'll find the highest and most beautiful things.