Anatole France – To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe
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Welcome to The Daily Quote—a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I'm your host, Andrew McGivern, and today is August 27th.
Now, if you’re listening to this, I imagine you’re the kind of person who enjoys stories—stories that tug at the heartstrings, that provoke thought, and that, maybe, just maybe, inspire a bit of action. Well, today, I’ve got a little something for you that does all three.
But first, let’s talk about today’s national holiday. August 27th is National Just Because Day. Yes, that’s right—today is the day to do something, anything, simply because you want to. No need for a reason. Want to sing loudly in your car with the windows down? Go for it. Feel like surprising a friend with a call out of the blue? Do it. Or maybe you’ve got an impulse to try that new recipe that’s been sitting in your bookmarks? Today’s the day.
And that leads us right into today’s quote, which comes from the French poet and novelist, Anatole France. He once said:
"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe."
Now, take a moment with me here. When was the last time you did something just because you believed in it? Not because you had to, not because it made sense, but because something inside you whispered, “Why not?” That’s the magic of today’s holiday. It’s about stepping away from the routine and embracing the whimsical, the unpredictable, the things that make life feel a little more alive.
Anatole France, with his quote, isn’t just talking about doing big, grand things. He’s reminding us that the seeds of greatness often come from small, spontaneous acts of faith. It’s those little moments when we dream, when we let ourselves imagine what could be, that set the stage for what eventually becomes our reality.
Think about it—every great invention, every beautiful piece of art, every story that has ever moved you, started as a dream. Someone, somewhere, allowed themselves to believe that their idea, their vision, was worth pursuing. They acted on it, not because it was guaranteed to succeed, but because they believed in the possibility.
Today, on National Just Because Day, I encourage you to lean into that spirit. Let yourself dream a little, even if it seems silly. Act on a whim, even if it feels out of character. Do something simply because it lights you up, because it makes you smile, or because you believe, deep down, that it just might lead to something beautiful.
Remember, the most extraordinary things often have the most ordinary beginnings. You don’t need a grand reason to start something wonderful. Sometimes, the best reason is no reason at all.
So, what will you do today, just because?
Good Question!
I'm Andrew McGivern signing off from today’s episode of The Daily Quote. Thanks for spending a few moments of your day with me. I hope today’s quote, helps you see the world in a slightly different way. Until tomorrow, keep dreaming, keep believing, and keep doing
and don't forget to follow or subscribe —just because.
And I'll see you tomorrow for another Daily Quote