Commitment

There are few passages that I like as much as this one.


Until one is committed, 
there is hesitancy, 
the chance to draw back, 
always ineffectiveness. 

Concerning all acts of initiative 
(and creation) 
there is one elementary truth, 
the ignorance of which 
kills countless ideas and splendid plans: 
That the moment one 
definitely commits oneself, 
then Providence moves too. 

All sorts of things occur to help one 
that would never have otherwise have occurred. 
A whole stream of events issues 
from the decision, 
raising in one's favor all manner 
of unforseen incidents 
and meetings and material assistance, 
which no man could have dreamed 
would have come his way. 

I have learned a deep respect 
for one of Goethe's couplets: 
"Whatever you can do, 
or dream you can, begin it. 
Boldness has genius, 
power and magic in it." 

-W.H. Murray 
The Scottish Himalayan Expedition