Do you ever get frustrated, angry, confused, or distracted? We all experience these mental and emotional states from time to time. It’s just a part of being human. But it’s how we respond to these feelings that matters most. We can allow them to paralyze us. We can wallow in them. Or we can choose a different path forward. 

One simple piece of advice can transform how we look at these moments for the rest of our lives: Just do the next right thing. It's amazing how quickly things can be turned around for the better if we just focus on doing the next right thing. 

Saint Elizabeth Bichier grew up during the turmoil of the French Revolution, and found herself in a position where she could either succumb to despair or just do the next right thing.

Elizabeth was born on July 5, 1773 in Le Blanc, France. Growing up in a devoutly Catholic family, Elizabeth faced severe challenges when the French Revolution erupted. Her noble status led to persecution; her father was imprisoned, and the family’s home and assets were seized. Amidst these trials, Elizabeth chose not to succumb to despair. Instead, she dedicated herself to prayer. She focused on the next right thing.

After the Revolution, Elizabeth realized that the right thing she was called to do was serving those in need, particularly in rural areas devastated by the Revolution. She knew she could not do it alone, so she co-founded the Congregation of the Daughters of the Cross in 1807. She now had a whole religious order under her, but she did not let that intimidate her. She just did the next right thing, and established schools, orphanages, and hospitals—one at a time.

Whatever the obstacle, Saint Elizabeth Bichier just did the next right thing.

What is the next right thing for you? Maybe it is exercising, or maybe it is apologizing. Sometimes people will say, "But what if you don't know what the next right thing is?" The truth is that we almost always do.

More than 99 percent of the time, you will know what the next right thing for you to do is if you quiet yourself for a moment and go to that place deep within you. The other 1 percent of the time, you may have to turn to a trusted friend to help you figure out the right thing, but if you are committed to doing the next right thing, you will find it.

Just do the next right thing!



Feast Day: August 26

Feast Day Shared By: Saint Zephirin, Saint Maximilian, and Saint Alexander

Also Known As: Saint Joan Elizabeth Bichier des Âges 

Symbols: A Quill and Ink

Canonized: July 6, 1947

Canonized By: Pope Pius XII