“Faith in thought is powerful, but faith in action is magnetic.”

– Alan Cohen

Believing in our own ideas is potent, akin to the dynamo humming beneath the hood of a car. It provides the spark, the initial push, the vital energy needed to keep the engine running. But it’s the motion, the movement of tires against asphalt that truly propels us forward, translating power into progress. This is the difference between thought and action, between theory and practice.

Having faith in our thoughts can be compared to standing at the edge of a cliff, peering into the abyss, toes curling over the edge. There’s a thrill, a whisper of potential, the unseen currents of opportunity tugging at our imaginations. The view from the precipice is breathtaking, a panorama of possibilities sprawled out before us. It’s a fuel, a raw power, a self-assuring belief that gives us the courage to dream, to plan, to strategize.

Yet, all this would be meaningless if we never take that audacious leap, if we never dare to let the wind fill our lungs and experience the exhilarating rush of freefall. This is where faith in action comes into play. It’s magnetic, a force field that not only draws us but also others towards our orbit. It’s like the allure of a magnet, irresistibly pulling everything in its path towards it, pulling potential into reality, turning thoughts into tangible outcomes.

Faith in action is the raindrop that sets off the ripple, the gust that stirs the leaves, the spark that ignites the fire. It’s a kinetic energy that invigorates, that inspires, that commands attention. The sight of a person brimming with belief, taking deliberate strides towards their vision, is a beacon. It’s a call to action that resonates, inspires emulation, and draws others in like iron filings to a magnet.

In essence, faith in thought is the kindling—the fuel that feeds our inner fire—that allows us to dream and dare. But it is faith in action that is truly transformative, a magnetic force that pulls the abstract into the realm of the concrete, the dream into reality. It’s the pulse that keeps us moving, the force that drives us forward, the very lifeblood of change and progress.

Stephen Boudreau serves as VP of Brand and Community at Virtuous Software. For over two decades, he has helped nonprofits leverage the digital space to grow their impact. To that end, Stephen co-founded RaiseDonors, a platform that provides nonprofits with technology and experiences that remove barriers to successful online fundraising. He is an avid (but aging) soccer player, audiobook enthusiast, and the heavily-disputed UNO champion of his household.

Copyright ©2023 Stephen Boudreau.