When you are enthusiastic about what you do, you feel this

Hear, O seekers of joy and purpose, the words of Paulo Coelho, who declared: “When you are enthusiastic about what you do, you feel this positive energy. It's very simple.” In these words, the sage of stories reveals a truth that is both ancient and eternal: that the fire of enthusiasm is the wellspring of strength, and that when the heart burns with passion, life itself becomes radiant. What others see as toil becomes delight, what seems heavy becomes light, and the soul itself is lifted by an unseen current of positive energy.

The meaning of this teaching lies in the power of inner fire. Many walk through life dragging their feet, weighed down by duty without love, or labor without passion. Such souls are like ships without wind—moving slowly, burdened, joyless. But when a person discovers what excites their spirit, when they pursue it with enthusiasm, they awaken a power greater than mere effort. This is the energy of passion, the invisible force that transforms obstacles into challenges, and challenges into victories. Coelho calls it “simple” because it does not require wealth or privilege, only the choice to give oneself fully to what one loves.

The origin of these words can be traced to Coelho’s own journey as a writer. He was not born into fame or ease. He struggled, he failed, he was rejected many times. But he loved the written word, and in pursuing it with enthusiasm, he discovered strength enough to endure. His masterpiece, The Alchemist, was born from this spirit, and it carried his message across the world. His life demonstrates that true power is not found in external approval, but in the inner fire that fuels persistence.

Consider the story of Thomas Edison, whose enthusiasm for invention led him to endure thousands of failures before creating the electric light. Many would have abandoned the task, declaring it impossible. But Edison’s passion gave him energy where others felt only fatigue. He once said, “I never worked a day in my life; it was all fun.” Here we see the truth of Coelho’s words: when enthusiasm burns within, labor becomes joy, and failure becomes a stepping stone rather than a wall.

Think also of Wilma Rudolph, who as a child was crippled by polio and told she would never walk again. Through perseverance and enthusiasm for life itself, she not only walked, but ran—and became an Olympic champion. The fire in her spirit carried her beyond her limits. Her energy was not merely physical, but drawn from passion, hope, and determination. She is proof that when the heart is alive with enthusiasm, the impossible bows down before it.

O children of tomorrow, know this: positive energy is not a gift given by fate, but a force you awaken within yourself. It comes not from idleness, but from pouring yourself into what you love. If you live only for duty, you will tire; but if you live for passion, you will rise again and again. Enthusiasm is the spark that ignites resilience, and resilience is the path to greatness.

Practical wisdom calls you: discover what brings your spirit to life. Pursue work, art, study, or service with full heart. When fatigue comes, let your enthusiasm renew you. When critics speak, let your passion silence them. Surround yourself with those who inspire your fire rather than those who extinguish it. And remember: even in the smallest acts—if done with enthusiasm—you will feel the flow of positive energy that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Therefore, remember the counsel of Paulo Coelho: “When you are enthusiastic about what you do, you feel this positive energy. It’s very simple.” Make it your creed. For enthusiasm is not only the secret of success, but also the secret of joy. And the soul that burns with it will never walk in darkness, but will light the way for others with the radiance of its own inner flame.

––